Wow - and here was me thinking that my intention of liquidating my assets and shipping off to Sweden was drastic!
All I can say is I wish you the very best jjimm. It’ll be sad to not have you around any more, but I hope this journey provides you what you need, and that it takes you somewhere that you’re happy to arrive at. All the best 
This may be a bit of apples and oranges in comparing your plans to my experience, but I left home for a winter, moved to Montana and holed myself up on a room to rewrite a screenplay. There is a ski resort about 20 minutes away from where I stayed, but I resisted bringing my skis because I didn’t want to be distracted. Big mistake. A great deal of the writing lacked any “oomph” (for a lack of better words) and I suspect because I just didn’t have very much fun. (Okay, I did masturbate A LOT.:eek:)
[EINSTEIN]If A is success in life, then A = X + Y + Z. Work is X, play is Y and Z is keeping your mouth shut.[/EINSTEIN]
Ergo, it may be worth considering enjoying yourself while on your trip, especially if you’re attached to the creative results. Then again, Ted Kaczynsky found that process useful, so YMMV.
It could just be that you’re wired to be an extrovert – which is certainly not something to judge as a negative thing, IMHO.
Colour me jealous!
I think it will be an awesome experience! Do send us a photo of the view off the porch!
Nothing but best wishes to you!
Best of luck to you. I’ve read your Crow Aptok travelogue several times over the past few years (we’ve traveled in many of the same places) so I already know how well you can write. I’m primarily a lurker who is always glad to see a new thread or comment by you.
Eager to see what this experience brings to you, and eager to buy whatever it is that you publish.
Hey, give some hints on where you’re going. We might know the area.
It’s not Thailand, so that narrows it down a bit.
I think I’ve read your screenplay. It goes:
straykat23 thank you so much!
Go on Illuminatiprimus, do it! My brother upped sticks and moved to Denmark last year and is making a life for himself there. It’s been a struggle from time to time but he’s finding it very rewarding.
Damn! You got me cornered.
This may be one of the most influentual experiences in your life. I hope it’s both enjoyable in the present and looked back upon fondly as well.
Happy trails, jjimm.
+1. Sounds like you are looking forward and looking to deeply challenge yourself. I hope you gain the insight you seek - even it the insights are not in the area(s) you sought them ;).
Something tells me you haven’t fully thought this through.
Wow. And here I’m worrying myself to death about not renewing when my contract is up in the job I hate. I want to take at least a few weeks off to see friends, and that Protestant work ethic I grew up with is making me feel terrible about it. I wish I had the courage to do something like this, I really do.
No, I really have. Been thinking along these lines for two years now.
OK, so in your mind’s fantasy, what are you doing day-in and day-out while sitting on your hill alone in Bumfuck, China? Not to burst your bubble, but it all sounds very lofty and idealistic while lacking in practicality.
Choosing the road less traveled does not mean jjim has not thought this through. I get the impression he has. You might not make the same choice but we are all ourselves and need to follow our own path.
Cultivate all kinds of interesting facial hair styles. Take pictures!
¡Buena suerte jjimm! Take care of yourself. Photograph and write about your experience.
Good luck jjimm - stay safe, and come back refreshed!
Watch out for snakes!
The hell it does. He’s got a two day head start on you, which is more than he needs. jjimm’s got friends in every town and village from here to the Sudan, he speaks a dozen languages, knows every local custom, he’ll blend in, disappear, you’ll never see him again. With any luck, he’s got the grail already.