Posts - Writing Vagabond

Literary Essay: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

A powerful literary analysis of Shantaram, where crime, travel, and identity intertwine. My final and highest-graded essay in a three-part academic series.
Travel Essentials: Complete Backpacker’s Packing List & What to Actually Bring (2026 Guide)

Eight years. Sixty countries. One attempted theft in Malaysia. Real travel stories. Here’s what I actually carry — and why your bag is more than just luggage.
Guatemala

Three months in Guatemala with a dog — colonial cities, active volcanoes, highland lakes, jungle rivers, and a Caribbean coast feels like a different country entirely. This is my Guatemala travel guide: the big picture, the best places, and what it’s really like to travel there with a dog.
Costa Rica

Three months in Costa Rica with my dog Karma: from jungle roads and volcano hikes to Caribbean beach towns, dog travel logistics and the unexpected moments that made this trip unforgettable.
Travel Friendships: When Strangers Become Family

We meet as strangers, live like best friends, and leave like we might never see each other again… until we do. This is for all the travel friends who became family along the way.
Literary Essay: Norferville by Franck Thilliez

A crime in the far North of Québec, Canada, an investigation shaped by isolation, and a story that raises deeper questions about representation and authorship. This literary essay on Norferville was produced during a difficult time when writing simply meant keeping up.
Travel United States

Van life across the USA with a dog means endless highways, desert sunsets, and the freedom to stop anywhere from Utah’s red rocks to the Pacific Coast Highway. From BLM camping to dog-friendly travel tips and new CDC rules, here’s everything you need to road trip the United States with your four-legged co-pilot.
Minimalist Living: How I Sold Everything to Travel The World Full-Time (And Why It Changed My Life)

In 2018, I sold almost everything I owned to travel full-time. What started as a leap into the unknown became a lesson in freedom, money, and purpose. Here’s how minimalist living helped me spend less, live more, and build a life that actually feels like mine.
Travel Mexico

Mexico has been part of my life for longer than I can remember. From childhood memories in Manzanillo to crossing the country in a van with my dog, this guide shares road trip stories, favourite places, and practical tips for travelling across Mexico.
USA Road Trip Itinerary: 5 Months of Van Life from New York to the Wild West

We crossed into the United States the day after the 2024 election and started a long van life road trip across America. From New York State to the deserts of California, rocket launches in Texas and national parks all-around, this is my honest USA road trip story.
Literary Essay: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My first university literature essay analysing The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, exploring its universal message and global journey across languages.
Van Life in Morocco: The Complete 3-Month Road Trip Itinerary, Costs & Safety Guide

Morocco gave me dunes at sunrise, mountain silence, van repairs for a fraction of Europe’s prices, and cultural intensity I didn’t expect. After 3 months on the road, here’s my complete van life guide to Morocco including route, costs, safety tips, and what I wish I knew before going.
Literature Essays and Creative Writing at 33: A Bilingual Academic Journey at Université TÉLUQ

At 33, I returned to university to pursue my passion for literature, French literature, and creative writing. This blog shares my bilingual essays in French (original) and English (my translations) created for my classes at Université TÉLUQ. I also reflect on adult learning, share insights for anyone thinking about going back to school later in…
Best Books About Adventure, Thrillers, Philosophy & Personal Transformation

A curated collection of the best books about adventure, psychological thrillers, philosophy, and personal transformation. From wilderness survival to spiritual awakening and revolutionary history.
Travel Morocco

Three months road-tripping through Morocco with my van and dog Karma: from Nador to the Sahara, Atlas Mountains, coastal towns, and medinas. Practical tips for Van Life, travelling with pets, and must-see highlights.
Indonesia Itinerary for Solo Female Travellers: Bali, Gili, Komodo & Flores

I didn’t choose Indonesia because I dreamed about Bali. I chose it because it was the cheapest long-haul flight from Montréal. What followed was a four-day boat trip, Komodo dragons, motorbikes across Flores, travel diarrhea in a squat toilet, manta rays, plastic beaches, arak in recycled bottles… and the first time I truly felt free.
Travel Indonesia

Indonesia was my first true solo trip abroad and the country that changed everything. From Bali to Flores and Komodo, here’s why Indonesia is the perfect first solo female travel destination, plus practical tips, safety insights, and honest reflections from my experience.
Travel Dominican Republic

One week in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. A winter escape, cable car jungle views, resort life, nightlife and honest reflections on what it means to “visit” a country. A short, practical guide for travellers considering an easy Caribbean getaway.
Van Life Budget Europe 2026: Real Monthly Costs

Van life in Europe in 2026 doesn’t have to drain your savings. These are our real monthly expenses from my full-time travels through France, Spain, Portugal, and beyond. No fantasy budgets; just honest costs, slow travel, and lived reality on the road.
Travel to Guatemala with a Dog: 10 Essential Tips, Entry Rules & Border Advice

Planning to travel to Guatemala with a dog? Here’s my real experience flying in, crossing the Mexico border, handling entry requirements, collectivos, and pet-friendly stays. Honest advice on what worked, what stressed me out, and what you should prepare before going.
Travel Cuba

Travel to Cuba: white sand beaches, classic cars in Havana, snorkeling, paragliding, and friendly locals await. Tips for travellers: budgeting, all-inclusive resorts, and cultural insights for a unique Cuban adventure.
Canada Travel Guide: From the Rockies to the Maritimes

From east to west, Canada revealed vast landscapes, quiet forests, and rugged coastlines. Van Life and Crown Land adventures offered freedom, solitude, and unexpected encounters, making each province feel like a new story unfolding.
Guatemala Travel With A Dog | 3 Months On The Road

Three months in Guatemala with my dog, Karma, wandering Lake Atitlán, Antigua, jungle trails, and volcanoes. Slow travel, homestays, and boats shaped the journey. Unknown places, authentic experiences, patience rewarded, and every corner held its own rhythm.
International Dog Adoption: The Absolute Rescue Journey

Karma is the greatest love story of my life. A dog rescued from the streets of Bolivia, she became my travel partner through 44 countries. Here’s the raw, practical guide to international dog adoption—every document, border, and moment worth it.
1990 Winnebago Van Life: Living in a Vintage Affordable Motorhome from Canada to Mexico

Sometimes, the dream is heavy. Sometimes, it’s worth every litre of gas. One year in a 1990 Winnebago Warrior taught me about comfort, thirst, and when to let go. The van that closed my North American chapter.
European Van Life: My Citroën Nemo’s Story

Bought a van in Paris for €3,200, drove it 25,000 km across 30 countries, and sold it for more. The real cost of living in a tiny van on a tourist visa—and why small wins.
Van Life in Mexico: My Journey with Kerouac

How I bought a van in Mexico on a tourist visa, converted it for $100, and sold it in Canada for a profit—covering the entire trip. Real steps on plates, borders, and crossing legally.