Meet the Nomads – Adam Pervez of Happiness Plunge

Adam is the writer and the blog owner of one of the latest blogs that I’m following, Happiness Plunge. Adam left his six-figure job as an engineer last 2011 and set out to explore the world. His blog is definitely an inspiration for those who would like to pursue their passion and happiness and possibly convert it into income generating activities. Adam also blogs a lot about volunteering in various countries and if you’re looking for some information on how to do the same thing then you should definitely check out his blog.

Learn more about Adam and follow his adventure at Happiness Plunge.

Before you leave this page, check out my short interview with Adam.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

“I was always curious about the rest of the world, perhaps because my dad is an immigrant to the U.S. from another country. But during my final year of college I took a class about Egypt and then did a 10-day group study abroad trip to Egypt. It had been a lifelong dream to see the pyramids, one of those things you think you’ll never do but always want to.

After that seal was broken, that travel isn’t as difficult as I thought and that it’s full of wonderful challenges and things to learn, I returned to the U.S. and interviewed for a job that promised an international career. I got the job and the genie was out of the bottle.

66 countries and nine years later, I still feel like I’ve just begun.”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“I don’t see anything I’ve experienced as horrible, rather things to learn from and things to grow from. I’ve been robbed three times, once violently in Colombia. I get sick about once a month. I am often sleeping on the floor in not-so-ideal situations.

As I travel I often seek out the other side, the hidden side and the side tourism boards don’t want you to see. So I think the worst experience is seeing the worst of humanity. I’ve seen extreme poverty, homeless and parentless children, and more injustice than I ever imagined possible. It has shown me how much work there is to do out there to alleviate the suffering of humanity.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“There are too many to list. Experiencing Holi and Diwali in India have been amazing. Machu Pichu, the Pyramids, Angkor Wat, all amazing. Taking a safari in Southern Africa was mind-blowing. Being rescued from homelessness by Indians in Costa Rica on Thanksgiving was unforgettable. I’ll never forget independence day in Mexico, nor the villages you can’t find on Google Maps that took me in and taught me so much in Peru, El Salvador, Laos, and The Philippines. The Thai Buddhist Temple and Indian Ashram helped me connect with something bigger than myself, and all my volunteering experiences have helped me connect with humanity.

I guess that’s not a direct answer, but what can I do? :)”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

“Very few things are held in common among the far corners of the earth. Thus far, the only thing I’ve seen in common across all countries, cultures, and ways of life is love.”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“Some fear the unknown. As an infinitely curious person, I look forward to exploring it. So that’s what keeps me going, discovering what else is out there, what new ideas I’ll stumble upon in some random village, what experiences will make me grow as a person. That keeps me motivated, as does my volunteering.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“I’m currently in India and my first thought was Mahatma Gandhi, though he is not alive. If the person had to be alive, I would pick India’s most famous resident of today: The Dalai Lama. He seems to be an unending source of happiness, compassion, empathy, and positivity despite all he and Tibet have gone through in his lifetime. He seems like someone who would be fun to hang out with, and whose awesomeness is infectious.”

Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?

“In all honesty I don’t have one. When you live for the moment each place should be amazing. Still, when I visited Machu Pichu I couldn’t help but be amazed and think..for hours. It just brought together so much for me exactly at the right time. It’s still hard to explain how they built it and why the inhabitants disappeared, just like it’s hard to explain why we are here as a species, why I am here as a person, etc. If you’re traveling, and I had been for eight months straight at that point, it’s just a perfect place to stop and reflect about the deep stuff happening in your life.”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?

“I think the best tip I can offer is to know thyself. Being on the road will test your passion for traveling, your patience, your faith in humanity, and more. If you aren’t on solid footing with yourself, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, capacities and limitations, it’s easy to get swallowed up in something so much bigger than yourself. So take the time to figure out who you are, what you want out of traveling, and why you are hitting the road in the first place. Then listen to your gut the rest of the way.”

What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?

“I guess the funniest thing is all relative as I have done many silly things that would be funny to the local people in each place. But one universally silly thing happened without me realizing it. I didn’t feel well and went to the bathroom in Medellin, Colombia. Somehow my long shirt ended up picking up some of the toilet paper I used to mummify the public toilet seat. I walked around town all day after that, no doubt being seen by thousands of people. I didn’t find it until I got home, but there’s an even funnier twist to the story you’ll have to click here to read about.”

How do you keep yourself safe on your travels?

“Well, considering I’ve been robbed three times in the past 20 months, and one temporary companion of mine was robbed while with me, maybe I’m not the best person to ask. But yes, I avoid being out at night in places that are known to be unsafe. I don’t usually carry a wallet. I try to blend in wherever I am in some way. I walk with a purpose.

In the end, you have to trust your gut and I’ve learned to listen to mine. I’m sure it’s kept me out of trouble many times.”

What do you think about yourself?

“I think of myself as constantly evolving toward my full potential. I think I’m funny with a quirky sense of humor, humble, with few needs in life, and full of love.”

“My blog chronicles my adventures volunteering my way around the world as well as my own personal story of taking the plunge into happiness and my thoughts about happiness. I don’t hold anything back and there’s a little something there for everyone to enjoy.” – Adam Pervez

Photo Credits: All pics are provided by Adam

Next: Jonny Blair of Don’t Stop Living Previously: Allan Wilson of Live Less Ordinary For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.