Meet Jodi Ettenberg, Former Lawyer Turned World Traveler

Meet Jodi Ettenberg, travel photographer and founder of Legal Nomads, a travel site that follows her adventures (and mis-adventures!) around the world. Jodi is a former lawyer from Montreal who quit her job to become a marshmallow-addicted globe trotter.

What inspired you to start traveling?
I saw a documentary on the trans-Siberian trains when I was in high school, and it planted a seed that only grew over the years. I wanted to see those places for myself, not just learn about them on TV, and to experience the world with my own two eyes. As time went on and I saved up, I realized it wasn’t just the trains I wanted to see, but everything before, after, and in between. By the time I quit my job, I was determined to travel around the world. There’s more to the story, but that’s the short version. After I took off, I enjoyed it—sicknesses, random mishaps and all—far more than I ever expected. I initially planned to travel for a year, but it’s now been almost three and a half, and I’m still going strong. My style has changed since I now need to factor in freelance work, but the sentiment remains the same: I’m doing what I’m passionate about and I’m very thankful I could build this life.

Favorite destination and why?
I don’t have a favorite destination. Nearly everywhere has something special to offer and something to learn from. Some places are ideal for specific things—Bangkok for street food, El Nido for island relaxation, Myanmar for cultural insight and understanding the geopolitics of Southeast Asia—but I can’t honestly rank one above the others.

What made you start a travel blog?
I started a blog for the same reason many people do: to keep my family and friends updated on my whereabouts. Previously I shared stories through group emails, but a blog gave me one place to document my travels and allowed my family to easily follow along. Over time, the site grew and organically led me into freelance travel writing and photography. I didn’t quit my job to become a travel blogger—it was a wonderful surprise, and I’ve followed that momentum ever since.

Most embarrassing travel moment?
There were many, but one stands out. I was wearing a Burmese longyi when it caught on a nail in a boat and dropped straight to the floor, much to the shock (and possibly delight) of the tribesmen onboard. I was trying to be respectful by wearing local clothing and instead ended up flashing an entire boat of elders. Disaster.

Favorite travel books?
Many. I’ve written posts about the best books I’ve read on my travels—Part 1 and Part 2—with a Part 3 coming soon. Two favorites are Tiziano Terzani’s A Fortune Teller Told Me and Tahir Shah’s In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams.

You quit your job as a lawyer to travel the world. What advice would you give someone looking to do the same?
The most important thing is to define a “worst-case scenario” you’re comfortable with. I’m still admitted to the bar in New York State, so I always knew I had a fallback. I saved for six years because I wanted to travel without working for a year. If your goal is digital nomadism, you may need less savings and can work as you go. It’s subjective, but having a safety net gives you freedom.

Best meal abroad?
Impossible to answer. Pork broth and rice noodles in Myanmar, curries in Bangkok, anticuchos in Peru, tacos in Mexico City—too many to count. One thing they all share? Street food. Choose the stall with the most locals eating there and you won’t go wrong.

What has been one of your favorite cultural experiences abroad?
My months in El Nido stand out—I fished for breakfast and lived as part of a local family. Myanmar was another major highlight, especially slow-boating down the Irrawaddy, singing karaoke with the captain and watching a solar eclipse.

What is cave spelunking and where did you do this?
Spelunking means exploring caves—one of my favorite travel activities. I’ve done it in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Laos, Myanmar, and during a physically demanding six-hour cave system in Sagada, Philippines.

Anything you can’t leave home without?
A sarong, headlamp, safety whistle, and my laptop.

Any upcoming trips planned?
I’ll be traveling solo to Morocco in mid-October, then possibly Turkey, India, and Sri Lanka—or back to Asia. I don’t plan too far ahead.