Welcome!
Hi! I’m Mani (short for Manija), my name is from India but I was born and raised in Mexico City. In 2008 I met my soulmate (an American) while traveling in India and eventually followed him to the US.
In this blog I write about wandering around the world, travel guides and tips, photography tips, eating and cooking (mostly healthy), and my unpredictable life moving constantly while attempting to lead a simple life and follow God.
Some of my favorite things to do are to travel, to eat and to take photos, and those are the main topics you’ll see on this blog along with personal writing. I have been to over 20 countries and lived in 8 different places, and I love sharing my travel experiences and lessons.
Why “A New Life Wandering”?
wan·der·ing [won-der-ing] adjective
- moving from place to place without a fixed plan; roaming; rambling.
- having no permanent residence; nomadic.
I definitely fit those definitions.
The “New Life” part of the title comes from making a drastic change to my life in 2009 when I decided to leave my comfortable and “normal” life, go against people’s and society’s expectations, drop out of college, move to a different country, be cut off financially from my dad, join my soulmate, and live a life trying to surrender to God.
Here is a brief timeline to give you an idea of my life:
2008 – July- Josh (a Californian) and I (a Mexican) met in India.
2008 – September – I moved from Mexico City to London to study filmmaking.
2009 – I left university and my comfortable life, went against all of my friends’ and family’s expectations, and moved from Mexico City to the US.
2010 – Josh and I left South Carolina and road-tripped along the US East Coast (Florida to New Hampshire) stopping in Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Maine and New Hampshire to find a place to live and finally randomly settled in North Carolina. It was a “throw a dart at the map” kind of thing.
2010-2013 – We lived in Durham, North Carolina, got married twice, and moved 3 times (within Durham).
2013 – We moved to India, leaving nothing behind. Also, this blog was born.
2013 – In late September, we arrived at Portland, Oregon to renew our Indian visas, and circumstances led us to stay. We lived here for 8 months.
2014 – In May, we moved to the country in Deer Island, Oregon (35 miles from Portland) with two friends who bought a historical former school.
2016 – In February, we moved to Logan, Utah.
2016 – August 23, we moved to Austin, Texas!
2017 – August 24 – we became parents! Baby girl was born in Austin.
Sit back and enjoy this unpredictable journey with us!
Links to help you getting started
A New Life Wandering 
How do you guys work? Or haven’t I gotten that far!
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Josh is a computer programmer with clients in the U.S. He can work from anywhere as long as he has internet. 😉
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I just came back here an reread your “things about you”.. I am trying to figure out what it is when you said “when our work is done”.. what work? Josh’s? he on a contract? Did you buy your house or did you rent it… I cannot believe people come in and wash your dishes for you!!! Yikes!… What does that work out to a day? I wonder if I could survive there with all I now know about India. I have known my Indian Friend Nimmi for 28 yrs and know more about the customs and curiousities from you than her!! Keep talking.. I find it fascinating!! Annette
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Totally makes sense!!..I understand fully.. kind of thought that is what you meant! I just am having a hard time with someone who comes and does dishes etc… Heading across the street in a bit for tea with Nimmi and I am going to do some more ‘prodding’… I said to her why do you need someone to do your dishes….and she replied in her sometimes curt way.. “well.. you have a dishwashing machine don’t you”? LOL… eh eh… I am not buying this!… Do these people come in need financial support? Is it expensive? GOD I wish I had one (or two) here!!…
Love your blog! I’ll hanging out probably till you leave!!!…. and I don’t think that will be any time soon….just popped over to your IG acct and left a comment…. Later! Make more trouble for me!! So I can bother Nimmi, LOL
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How come I think I am typing ok and then I reread and I sound like a nit wit!! haha.. words left out etc……
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Hope you are continue to enjoy your time in India. Recently I have started my own blog on Orissa, India. Please do visit and give your feedback.
http://anurag3009.wordpress.com/
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Welcome to India 🙂
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Welcome dear 🙂
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Hey, I stumbled across your blog, and I really like what you guys are doing. I nominated you for a Liebster Award! Check it out. http://michaelargersinger.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/liebster-award/
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So happy to have stumbled upon your blog! So interesting that you moved to India, I hope to be an expat there at some point as well. 🙂
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Hey Abbey! Thank you! I love the title of your blog, and I’m looking forward to reading more of it. 🙂
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I really appreciate with this post, Thanks again.
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A search for “buying Nutribullet in India” got me here, and then I suddenly found myself laughing and loving your blog. How crazy is that.
Btw, let me know if you’re up for selling that Nutribullet of yours? It’s a good deal now that you can’t use it as-is. Hehe ;D
Hope you make the most of everything in India. Padharo mhare des!
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Hi Rahul! Thanks for your sweet comment. Right now my husband and I are stuck in the US getting our Indian visas renewed, but when we go back to India and if I can’t find the correct voltage inverter, I’d definitely consider selling my nutribullet. 🙂
– M
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Hi Mani,
Same as Rahul, search for Nutribullet brought me here. Great to know that you are living in India. Your name sounds like Indian. Wishing you happy and peaceful stay in Inda. I like your perspective on God. To love God, one no need to be religious. Live a good life and enjoy every moment of your life. You will have a great time with your loving husband Jose and please convery my regards to him. May God bless the lovely couple. Take care.
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Thank you 🙂 I am from Mexico, but my name is Indian, you are right. Best wishes to you and take care as well.
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I came across your page as I was searching for support in learning to ride a scooter. I moved to Taiwan three months ago to take up a year contract teaching English to Taiwanese children. Here they ride scooters everywhere and I would love to join them. Although I have learnt to ride geared bikes and my father is in fact a motorbike instructor in the UK I am struggling with my moving off. Like you I thought I would just jump on and ride off on my merry way. On my first practice I had a successful ride but then I had difficulty with stopping the scooter on my second outing and I ended up riding into the back of another scooter and into the wall before I let go of the throttle and it came to a stop. I am now scared when I go back to the same place so my progress is very slow. However I would like to take a scooter and ride round the country when we have 10 days vacation for Chinese New Year in January so I am putting pressure on myself to take my test by the end of December to have time to buy a scooter and have time on the roads. I would like to know have you been any more successful since your first attempt on the scooter?
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Hi there, I have actually attempted to ride the scooter only about three or four times. I really wanted to ride but I didn’t have the motivation like you have for your vacation. So I have not mastered the art of scooter riding but I do have to say that by the third or fourth time, I was getting better and driving further. There was definitely hope for improvement the more I tried. It also takes confidence; fear is not your friend. I suggest you keep trying and take it easy. Good luck!
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Hi .. Happy to Know about you and your journey.. I am also thinking just like you .. and agree with you on your all points..
It gave me power to do it .. only the problem comes is the Moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
I believe “Life Is Like That”.
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Hi! Thanks for you comment. If God wants, He will provide. That’s how it is with us.
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I just stumbled onto your blog….. this is the FIRST ‘blog’ I have ever read!! I am a Christian and am so interested in your ‘spiritual’ journey… I would like to know, if God told you to go on this journey, what do you think His mission for you is in this experience? Are you in India to ‘help’ those people or just for the experience? Do you plan to stay there indefinitely? I admire your obedience in HIS direction of your life. jsrdh
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Hi Judi, I’m flattered. He definitely had a “mission” for us, and sometimes we have an idea of what it was/is, but we can never be sure. I do know He works through us because of our surrender and I even think He has multiple “missions” for us happening simultaneously. But to keep on answering your question, we didn’t move for just the experience, it was definitely to help others somehow, through God. We have been in Portland OR for a couple months now (you can read a few posts about why), our plan was to stay in India indefinitely, bur right now, to be honest, we have no idea what God has planned for us. We don’t know when or whether to fly back to India, or stay here for a different “mission”. We’ll find out soon enough. Thanks for your comment Judi.
Merry Christmas,
Mani
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Wow I admire your courage! What a life! 😀
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Good luck. I really hope you aren’t there to proselytize or spread Christianity.
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I am not religious. And I don’t think there is anything wrong with spreading God’s love. And it is your choice only to read or not to read my blog.
Best,
-M
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Randomly stumbled across your blog.Haven’t expected this blog to be this cuter. Awesome work!!
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Thank you!
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it was nice knowing you.. a multi talented couple.. I have not stayed away ever from my family.. going to married in next 20 days and its making me tense and anxious how will I adjust in new place.. very impressive you left your country, people and enjoying new place and culture.. hope things turn out to be good for me and I adapt fast.. Take care 🙂
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Hi Shikha, thanks for leaving a comment and your nice words. I really wish you all the best in your marriage and your new life.
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Nice blog. Looking forward to learn about (My) India from you. Good luck with you rmarathi 🙂
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Thank you! and welcome.
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hope u guys r not being instructed by ur gods to convert local indian hindus to christianity
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Why do people keep saying this? We didn’t go to India or anywhere to convert anyone to anything. I am not a Christian, I have nothing against them or Hindus. We are not religious, we are simply people of God. We love God and we want to live a life dedicated to Him and surrendered to Him. That is all. I wish people would respect that and not judge.
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Hi , You said you are not a Christian. I am Just Curious , Your God Has Any Name ? Like Jesus, Siva , Krishna,Vishnu , Allah, Yahweh/Jehovah….
Have a Pleasant stay in India..
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Hi S,
I am not religious, but I follow Meher Baba’s beliefs.
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Wishing you the best for your future adventures in India. I must say that both of you are very gutsy indeed!
BTW, you could pass of for an Indian. Do you get that from the locals or do they instantly categorize you as a “foreigner”?
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Thank you!
I’m actually not sure if people in India think I’m Indian or not. I haven’t had any direct comments about it. I think it depends on what I am wearing and who I’m with. I did get once that I looked Persian.
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Thanks for stopping by and following my blog 🙂 I find so many interesting perspectives here in your blog and find what you do just amazing!! Keep sharing 🙂
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Thank you Shmruthi for your nice words. I’ll be looking forward to your posts.
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Hello! Thanks for following A Journey of Wonders, one of the best sources for travel and inspiration. Here’s the index in order to better help you navigate my site: http://journeywonders.com/index/.
Enjoy and safe travels!
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Hello! I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts. Your journey is so interesting. Thus, I have nominated you for a Liebster Award, because I just love the way you write and the stuff you write about. 🙂 You can check out my page about it to see how it works: http://2014bydawn.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/im-grateful-for-a-liebster-award/
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Hi Dawn! thanks for the nomination, it’s appreciated. I will work on it soon.
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Hi Mani, thanks for your blog! 🙂
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I am not sharing your faith in a supposed « god » but I thing what you both did by donating everything and moving to India is an amazing thing and it makes this supposed « god » living and « real ».
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Thank you, I appreciate your comment. Thanks for stopping by.
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HI! Thanks for dropping by at my place and deciding to keep tabs on my ‘experiments’….yours is an interesting blog….amazed at the courage you both have!
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Thank you for following my Blog. I hope your adventures continue, whether eastern or Western. Feliz!
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I like that: “whether Eastern or Western”… I think they will. 🙂 Thank you!
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thank you for following my blog! happy that you like it 🙂 what an interesting blog you have ! for sure will be back here 🙂
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Good One .. 🙂
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Hi Mani! I see you are from Mexico City! LOVE THAT CITY! Have been there many times when I was living in Texas. Now I am too far away to get back there easily…but I still have fab memories of all my trips. Love your blog!
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Hi Diana, thanks for stopping by! I found your blog yesterday and I love it too.
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Nice blog
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Thank you! Yours too, interesting pictures!
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Wow – that sounds like a very fascinating life you lead. Keen to read more 🙂
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Ah sorry to hear you can’t get back to India just yet… another way of learning to accept the twists and turns that life throws up? Good luck with everything!
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Thanks! Yeah, life loves throwing twists and turns doesn’t it?
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What an interesting and intriguing story! Looking forward to reading more about your wandering…
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Bonjour! Hello M.! Your blog is very nice and interesting. Looking forward to your new post…K.
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Bonjour Kamila! Thanks for stopping by. I like your blog 🙂
-M
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Great blog and I am happy that I found it through http://14weeksworthofsocks.com. Congrats on winning those awesome cat socks too. 🙂
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Thanks so much! I’m excited to get them in the mail haha. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hello Mani,
Great to find you here and really enjoyed browsing through posts…
Looking forward to follow your adventures around the world.
Have a great time 🙂
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Hi Sreejith,
Thanks for stopping by!
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What a love story, and its been quite the ride.
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Thanks. Indeed is has been quite the ride and it keeps going…
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You’re welcome. Adventure can be great.
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What a perfect introductory portrait!
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Yours is an inspiring story 🙂 ..Looking forward to know what happens next?
I do not know if God, in physical form, exists or not. But I know one thing that his presence can be felt in nature and by loving people. I am sure you will find both opportunities in India as it is a beautiful country and people are loving in nature.
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Wow! What a cool story and an inspiration to many. Thanks so much for coming by!
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Hi, Mani! Thanks for checking out my blog.
I can’t remember how I stumbled across yours, but I’ve loved reading about your journey through life, especially your latest city v country conundrum. All the best for life on Deer Island, OR. I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens next 🙂
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Hi! Your journey sounds interesting too. Thanks for coming by!
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Such an interesting life!! I’m sure you have NO regrets regardless of your family and friend’s opinion. I admire your courage 🙂
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You are right. I may wish things may have gone a bit differently but I have no regrets. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.
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WOW! Such an amazing life. Congrats on being able to do what you love and living the life of your dreams 🙂
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I love your blog and have nominated you for Versatile Blogger Award.
http://travelfunfoodpictures.com/2014/07/05/versatile-blogger-award/
xxx
Aanchal
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Hello,
Just letting you know I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. No pressure at all to pass it on but hope it encourages you. Thanks for blogging and keep it up!
http://awrestlingwriter.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/one-lovely-blog-award/
JD
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Hi Mani! I’m so excited you found my wordpress blog as well, which also led me to your blog! I’m a fan of your tumblr too, so glad you blog about your experiences and adventures! I agree with your comment on my blog- we have LOTS in common and you seem lovely 🙂 My fiancee (who is from Mexico City too!) and I are in the process of moving to be together finally, and you and your husbands story is inspiring. It’s not easy being an international couple who’s trying to finally be together for good. Thank you for sharing your story!
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Hi Gina! Oh cool that your fiancee is from Mexico City! Where are you guys going to settle?
Good luck with all your plans!
Mani
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Oh how wonderful! I’m German and met my husband who is from France while working in Malaysia, and we’ve lived and worked in numerous countries since (currently we’re in sunny Australia). I can’t imagine anything more exciting than this type of life! Looking forward to reading more of your posts 🙂
Andrea
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Hi Mani, I recently discovered your post and am really enjoying it. I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. You can find out more about it here: http://www.gracednotes.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/one-lovely-blog-award/
Cheers!
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Hi Grace! How sweet of you! Thank you!
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Interested and intrigued by your blog. It’s very impressive! Looking forward to your next posts. Please follow back if you will. Thank you!
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Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. I will check out your blog.
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