Earlier this summer, I loaded up my SUV, hopped on 65 south and drove till I got to Tennessee. Summer is the perfect time to parkas in a new adventure. I was really ready to have a change of scenery and try out something new. I thought if I was going to do something like this, I might as well do it now while I'm young and not tied down.
I knew absolutely no one here and could have counted the number of times I had visited Williamson County on one hand. However, I had a job lined up, a vehicle and some cash. I packed only enough belongings that would fit in my car. To make matters more interesting, I decided to live the gypsy life and stay at various people's houses throughout my stay. Some of my fellow coworkers were nice enough to open up their homes to me. I've learned a lot and gained great experience by working at the Chamber of Commerce. Yet, I will say, living in the homes of 4 different strangers into hotel stays has taught me just as much. Here're some tidbits I've learned from being a squatter:
None of us are the same person. However, were all a lot more similar than we are different. We have more in common with each other than we realize.
Everyone thinks their dog is the best dog in the world.
Nothing brings people together better than food, coffee, or alcohol.
First-time parents have manuals for everything.
People have pre-child hobbies, older children hobbies and empty nester hobbies. There aren't very many young child hobbies.
For some reason, extra wedding photos always end up in the guest bedroom.
A good gypsy/squatter leave no trace or trail. You should leave everything exactly how it was when you got there, if not a little better.
Everyone wishes they had more time to travel.
People need their space but no one likes to be lonely.
People are more comfortable around you if they feel like you are comfortable.
No one is really a stranger. It takes one brief conversation to find something about yourself in another person.
