I Kamal -> The Geek on a Travel Break
It all started with a spreadsheet.No, really.
I’m Kamal, and I first thought of this blog after creating the most elaborate travel itinerary spreadsheet known to mankind (at least according to my wife, Upasna). It was just supposed to be for our vacation. And then, it sparked an idea for a bigger adventure.
I never thought I’d be here. Well, not just here in Luxembourg, but where I am today. In 2019, we moved from India to Luxembourg for work. Fast forward five years, and here we are, still in Luxembourg.
But now I’m on an 8-month career break to travel the world. Plot twist, right?In June 2024, I did something that raised a few eyebrows in the office. I decided to hit pause on my 14-year tech career to embark on this travel adventure.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not escaping corporate life. I’m just taking a breather, exploring the world, and who knows? Maybe I’ll discover new ways to blend my love for tech with my passion for travel. I never imagined I’d be a blogger, even a temporary one. Or that I’d convince my fashion designer wife to be my unofficial travel model. But here we are!
A little about Upasna
Upasna is the yin to my over-planning yang. She doesn’t have a problem with my spreadsheets to be supportive (okay, maybe a little). She just believes in “feeling the vibe” of a place. Her focus for our travels is fashion, photography, and reminding me to look up from my phone and actually enjoy the view.
She’s the spontaneous one, and while she often rolls her eyes at my detailed plans, she admits (occasionally) that my geeky approach has led us to some amazing experiences. She’s joining me on this career break adventure, adding her artistic eye and laid-back attitude to balance out my Type A tendencies and make our travels more colorful (literally – have you seen her outfits?).
So come along for the ride as we navigate the world for these 8 months, one carefully planned (and cheerfully derailed) adventure at a time! Who knows, maybe by the end of this break, I’ll have figured out how to turn my two passions – tech and travel – into one amazing journey. Or maybe I’ll return to the corporate world with a fresh perspective and a suitcase full of memories. Either way, it’s going to be one heck of a ride!
So what is this blog about, anyway?
thegeektraveler.com is my digital travel journal where my inner tech nerd meets the world explorer. I’m sharing my travel experiences, tech-enhanced travel hacks, and tips for getting the most out of your trips (without driving your travel partner crazy with your over-planning).
I write about how I’m using my tech skills to enhance our travels, how to create the perfect travel spreadsheet (because old habits die hard), and how I’m adapting my project management skills to plan adventures instead of software releases.
I DO NOT believe in choosing between being a planner or being spontaneous. I believe in planning like crazy and then being open to throwing that plan out the window when adventure calls.
Want to know more? Check out my “Most Frequently Debugged Questions” section.
What’s this blog really about? It’s about finding your next destination, optimizing your travel experience, and learning how to balance your inner geek with your inner explorer – all while on a career break!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s with the name “TheGeekTraveler.com”?
Well, I’m a geek (proud of it!) who’s currently travelling. Creative, right? But seriously, it’s about bringing my love for tech and optimization into the world of travel. Think of it as debugging life, one adventure at a time.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I’m originally from the land of spices and software engineers – India! But for the past 5 years, I’ve been calling Luxembourg home. It’s like living in a fairytale, except with better Wi-Fi.
What’s your day job?
By day (well, usually), I’m a tech professional with 14 years of experience. Currently, I’m on an 8-month career break to travel and blog. It’s like I’m testing the “sleep mode” on my career while running a full diagnostic on the world!
What camera do you use?
I use a Nikon D3. It’s not the newest model out there, but it’s reliable and gets the job done. I pair it with some old but trusty lenses: a 70-200mm f/4.5 for those long-range shots, a nifty fifty (50mm) for portraits and low-light situations, and a 28mm for when I want to capture those wide, sweeping landscapes. And of course, there’s always my smartphone for those quick, on-the-go shots.
How do you plan your trips?
Remember that scene in “A Beautiful Mind” with all the equations on the window? It’s kind of like that, but with more spreadsheets. I’m old school – I create detailed spreadsheets that look more like project plans, complete with timelines, budgets, and contingencies. And yes, I take printouts. Digital is great, but there’s something about having a physical copy that just feels right. No fancy apps or tools for me – just good old Excel and a printer!
Your wife is a fashion designer. How does that influence your travels?
Let’s just say we usually have a lot of luggage, mainly filled with clothes and my camera gear. It’s like we’re prepared for both a fashion show and a photo shoot at any given moment. I’ve become quite the expert at tetris-ing our suitcases to fit it all in!
What’s your travel style?
Imagine if Google Maps and a spontaneous road trip had a baby – that’s pretty much us. I plan everything down to the minute, and then Upasna helps me throw half of it out the window. It’s a beautiful chaos.
Any tips for balancing a tech career with wanderlust?
Step 1: Save up vacation days. Step 2: Use them all at once for a career break. Step 3: Start a travel blog. Step 4: ??? Step 5: Profit! (Okay, maybe not profit, but definitely memories!)
What’s been your biggest travel mishap so far?
There was this one time I tried to use a QR code menu and ended up ordering in binary. The waiter was not amused, but hey, I got my 10 orders of 01100110 01110010 01101001 01100101 01110011 (that’s “fries” in binary, by the way).
How can I start my own travel adventure?
Step 1: Buy a plane ticket. Step 2: Panic. Step 3: Make a spreadsheet. Step 4: Actually go on the trip. Step 5: Start a blog to tell everyone about steps 1-4. Or you know, just email me at [Your Email] and I’ll give you the full rundown!