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My NomadX Experience in the Global City

It was the carefree summer of 2019. I was exploring Amsterdam when my NomadX Experience unknowingly began.

As a seasoned nomad, saying goodbye just comes with the territory. This time, my best pal Pete was flying one-way and I was floating another.

Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace frequent farewells and to celebrate reunions.

He and I were about to perform our super-secret see-you-later-handshake, when a familiar face from the other side of the world happened to walk by. This kind of chance encounter with a fellow traveler in a foreign city is remarkably common. 

After all, the Global City of digital nomads has about 17,000 airports. Precisely matching the number of airports on Earth. So, you’re bound to bump into each other… eventually.

For almost a decade, I’ve traveled to build community and provide my particular communication services. Along the way, I seem to engage almost exclusively with the modern-day traveler.

I learned a long time ago, professionals abroad get around. They go everywhere!

Some chase the sun and rotate with the seasons. While others follow their tribe, their favourite music, their perfect surf, their business opportunity and sometimes even their true love. 

For my travels, I trust my flow and simply tap into my diverse group of talented connections to guide my path to the next fresh destination. 

This time was no different, because unbeknownst to me, I was flowing toward the best gig in the world.

Within hours of reconnecting with that familiar face, I was brought to Berlin to meet her trusted connection with the inside scoop on my next highly anticipated travel target: Lisbon, Portugal.

When I met her contact, he immediately urged me to go. He told me about the abundance of sunshine, the like-minded communities, and the coolest hot spots – before dropping one final, invaluable gem:
“Book your monthly accommodation with NomadX, Europe’s fastest growing community of location-independent workers”.

I flew there hours later.

Now, picture this.

I physically shook hands with thousands of people in Portugal in 2019 and 2020. I was using hand sanitizer months before it was chic. It was bonkers in all the best ways.

Within weeks of landing in the country, I had aligned with brilliant entrepreneurs, curious artists and seriously groundbreaking companies. What luck!

No matter how many times I pinched myself, I couldn’t believe how quickly I was embraced by the communities I met.

I was invited everywhere – cultural events, dinners, parties, festivals, and underground shows. I was then bestowed the weekly honour of hosting musicians, poets, storytellers, dancers and comedians at the hugely popular Selina Secret Garden Friday Night Open Mic.

High-fiving. Low-fiving. Hugging. Shaking. It really was the roaring twenties for those few months.

It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

How was this possible?

Well, as mentioned, I had the best gig in the world. 

I spent months collaborating with startups, entrepreneurs and remote workers from every background you can think of. I met top-tier thinkers from Porto to Funchal and everywhere in between.

It was fast-paced fun every single day, afternoon and night. All in the interest of bringing remarkable people together under one, exclusive community.

That was the gig. I had become an omnipresent ambassador in paradise. 

Unlike other gigs, this one had me actively engaging and partnering with local and international leaders to establish a countrywide community of like-minded professionals – a refreshing alternative to the traditional digital nomad groups and public events commonly found in most major cities. 

You see, some call Portugal the ‘California of Europe’. It’s home to a business ecosystem of local pros and international innovators all working together. No wonder Lisbon is host to the world’s largest annual tech event – Web Summit. 

Plus, it’s built on one of Europe’s most historic arts & culture scenes with local talent eager to entertain and mix with global influence.

So, it’s easy to see why nomadic professionals and brilliant artists include it in their top travel routes. This notion of a ‘Global City’ of remote workers includes world-class destinations with thousands landing, living and replenishing the population monthly along the flight paths of all major airlines.

How do I know this?

Because I was tasked to meet them all – rub elbows and share my experience.

This experience.

When I landed in Lisbon, I took the advice and met NomadX. 

Perfect accommodation. Ideal duration. Smooth operation. 

Then, in a surprising twist of fate – they offered me the gig.

“Travel throughout Portugal spreading cheer and develop the truest digital nomad community based on honesty, sharing, consideration, giving, health and wellness”.

I became a proud ambassador to easily one of the most diverse groups of international travelers and working professionals in Europe. And, because our community would replenish itself and gather almost daily, I was at the forefront of meeting some of the world’s most magnificent people.

They know who they are. And I hope they’re reading this.

Together, alongside amazing partners, we put on spectacular live events and activities to support our VIP community. I was honored to meet, greet and motivate hundreds of new arrivals each week – and I loved every single second of it.

Then, the world came down with a bit of a cough.

Today, I find myself in my native Canada visiting with family during these somewhat uncertain times. In the spring, my community and I took an unceremonious hiatus due to the health pandemic. Yet, not a day goes by, when I don’t think of how fortunate I was to shake hands and hold the distinction of being NomadX’s in-person Community Ambassador. 

It was the gig of a lifetime.

It shaped and inspired me to embrace my true identity – a joyful ambassador to all digital nomads in the Global City.

So, here’s the thing…

Saying goodbye comes with the territory. It’s the nomad way.

I’ve learned to embrace it and I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes, global events restrict us from seeing each other in-person to appropriately perform our see-you-later-handshake. But, as nomads, we will always cross paths on the road or in the streets.

To all those who have and will share in my (ongoing) NomadX Experience:

We’ll reunite and celebrate in the city very soon. Stay healthy, keep active and for Pete’s sake, wash your hands!

✌

ABOUT NOMADX

NomadX is a European accommodation marketplace for remote work travelers and digital nomads with over 11k listings across 18 countries with stays for 2 weeks to 12 months and average stays of 3 months. The business was started to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global community of location-independent remote workers, or “Digital Nomads”.
As Digital Nomads ourselves, we know what the market is looking for: trusted, affordable accommodations in highly-attractive locations worldwide at 50% less than AirBNB. We also run the popular NomadX Private Travel Community  where we share hacks, tips & special offers to our community members which can be found @ https://m.facebook.com/groups/nomadx/

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