Bonegal – still working on it! I flexed my singing muscles whilst apprenticing with a shaman and facilitating plant medicine ceremonies in Peru and Ecuador, but I also have a feeling that I’m moving on from that chapter in my life. (More on that adventure here: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/learning-ayahuasca-and-san-pedro-shaman/)

What’s next for my performance/singing career? To be determined. 🙂

@theprofessionalhobo How did it go, years later? 🙂

Hey Bob,
What a full circle experience – wow! Lucky for me, I can now flex my vocal chords through singing medicine songs here in Peru. So a few years after writing this post, it looks like I’ve found my “stage”! 🙂

We share this livelong passion for music. In my case it’s flamenco guitar. I went to Spain to learn from the gypsies right after college. That was in 1971. I’m only just now returning to Spain again in September after 44 years away!

Bob

Found a trombone outside Barcelona when I stayed for 3 months, but not one to be found in the same amount of time in Split Croatia in the off-season. And I really, really looked!

For me, marketing myself, networking with others, and putting passion out there has helped me create recognize opportunities.

It’s not necessary to be in a place for a long time to perform there. Here are many things I’ve done to keep playing while on the road (and I don’t travel with my trombone!):

** Temporarily change instruments! pick up and drum! or learn what the locals are playing – finger cymbals, a new guitar, castinets or something else fun! I’ve found that performing things that make others happy also makes me happy!
** Find a community group that welcomes travelers and rehearse/perform with them
** Drop in to theater groups or schools with music programs or music stores and tell them you’re available for one show only! Ask who they recommend you contact!
** Book gigs with other musicians from couchsurfing musician groups or want ads of people seeking your specialty
** Find local music festivals and call them, offering assistance to the town, organizers, planners, or groups that are participating
** Play in drum circles and meet other musicians there
** If you know where you’re going next, locate working musicians, bands, or groups ahead of time online and email them a note that you’re coming and want to perform, network, and learn about the local music scene – ask them to refer you to others
** Busking and impromptu performances with friends outside may be socially accepted and legal wherever you are: make a list of songs, find a great place, a great sunset, some friends, and do it!

By sacrificing one passion for another, I’ve learned: how deeply the passion is engrained in me, if I have a strong enough will to be creative about pursuing it, and how wonderful it is when it is re-gained.

@Megan – Not many people know the movie Bagdad Cafe…I’m glad you like it! I also like “Brenda”. It’s such a quirky movie…

@Dalene – Good for you for finding a way to foster your love of animals by house-sitting and pet-sitting on the road. It’s that sort of creative thinking that creates a space to be able to “have it all”!

@Penny – Like Dalene has shown, and like I hope to do, I believe where there’s a will, there’s a way when it comes to combining passions. I’m open to the possibilities and opportunities for both travel and performing, even if it means redefining one or the other to suit.