After climbing a pair of Africa’s taller peaks in 2008, Dustin’s need for adventure couldn’t be held back any longer.
An avid entrepreneur, Dustin left his first company for what was to be a one year sabbatical in 2009. More than 4 years later, he’s still traveling around and around (and around) the globe. With camera in hand, and business on the mind, he’s started the “technology for travelers” website Too Many Adapters while sipping fruit smoothies in Chiang Mai, and launched the creative photography org “Lightmoves Creative” from a loft in Berlin since making the move around the globe.
When not sleeping in caves or photographing abandoned places, he can be often be found doing crazy things in a school dress for the Do It in a Dress campaign in support of the charity “One Girl”.
You can work pretty much where you want to – on the road, do you find it hard to work or do you just have fun and work when you come back home?
I spend most of my time working from the road, and it's a constant struggle. If I'm in an awesome place, it can be hard to say to myself, "let's stay in and get some work done" when there is a new cafe, art exhibit or story to be found just around the corner.
Now I find balance by staying in a location longer, often a month or more, before moving on. This makes it a bit easier to give myself time to get things done and also to find adventure. In between "work" months, I'll be sure to book in plenty of adventure time off the grid.
Do you feel many people are envious of your lifestyle?
I am often told that I'm "living the dream".
In many ways, that's totally the case. I travel constantly, experiencing new cultures along the way, and have done so for years. I eat out regularly, and make my own schedule, and will fly somewhere last minute on a whim.
On the other hand, it has its own set of challenges that most people don't see at first. Working from the road, nurturing friendships / relationships, balancing self care with my insatiable appetite for adventure are just a few.
In which countries have people recognised you, even when you thought nobody would?
I wouldn't say I'm overly recognizable, though blog readers have recognized me from time to time over the years.
On a larger scale, I'd say that I usually stick out like a sore thumb in most countries. My pale flesh is a giveaway in many countries besides Scandinavia.
Which three items would you never travel without?
In this modern day, you really only need two.
Passport
Visa Card
But I'll take my hiking boots along for the ride too. I can just buy some undies with my visa card later.
Are there any specific souvenirs or other things you collect from the places you go to?
When I first started traveling, I would often bring back souvenirs. After traveling for years and to many different places, I'll only reserve a spot in my bag for something really special.
I find that art is my favorite thing to collect. It's easy to present (if you have a home) and therefore easy to appreciate on a daily basis. Art can often remind me more about the feeling of a location, and the style of the people than a little trinket kept in a box can.
On a recent trip to Burma / Myanmar, I brought back a little "joker" head which is a little like a puppet head. It has hair made of horse hair, and a string at the top that when pulled makes the tongue stick out. It's fantastic.