The Vagabond
About The Vagabond:
Hey, I’m Lydia.
In 2018, I left my life in Montréal, Canada with a backpack, a laptop, and absolutely no idea what I was doing. I was 26, restless, and tired of living for weekends. So I bought a one-way ticket and figured I’d sort out the rest later.
Sixty countries later, I’m still sorting it out.
I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Long Story Short
I’ve been a full-time solo traveller and writer since 2018. In 2020, I adopted a sick puppy (Karma) in Bolivia. Now we’re a package deal—over forty countries together across five continents.
In 2021, we traded backpacking for Van Life. We finally stopped fighting with angry bus drivers who wouldn’t let Karma in. And, of course, waking up to new views never gets old!
I’ve backpacked through Asia, the Americas, Europe & Africa. I’ve volunteered in various places and worked remotely from questionable Wi-Fi spots. I’ve learned how to cross borders (40!) with a dog in many of those places (it’s trickier than you’d think). We’ve slept in hostels, tents, boats, ferries, vans, and cars, you name it. I’ve gotten lost more times than I can count! But when you don’t really know where you’re going, does it really count? As long as you enjoy the ride, I say you’re on the right track.
What You’ll Find Here
This site is where I share:
- Realities of Van Life
- Buying a van internationally
- Travelling with a dog—the logistics, the adventures, the chaos
- Backpacking tips for Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas
- Working or volunteering remotely
- Eco-conscious travel on a budget
- Stories from the road that hopefully inspire you to book that flight!
- Travel stories and personal writings
- Book recommendations and reviews
Why I do this?
Somewhere in all of this movement, I realized I had stories worth sharing. Tips that can save people some headaches!
If my mistakes can help you avoid a few of your own, even better.
Want more than just stories? Let’s make your ideas come to fruition.
Whether you’re dreaming of a backpacking route, preparing for Van Life with a dog, or just have a tricky logistics question—reach out.
We’ll work from there!
How it works:
- Got a question? Just comment on the post. Or contact me. I’m happy to help.
- Planning a bigger adventure? Need help crossing borders with your dog? Contact me with your idea, and I’ll create a custom package plan for you. Itineraries, recommendations, and hard-won logistical advice.
Let’s turn your “one day” into a plan.