Jeff: So were you always able to live with only a few possessions?
Jonathan: Oh, certainly not. The first trip I ever did to South America I had the most massive backpack you could imagine. I mean I had to get it from a sort of military surplus storebecause I needed to have the kind of volume that a World War Two soldier would have had to carry things, all of his survival gear. When I travelled to Africa in my early twenties, I brought along things like, for example, a jungle hammock, you know because I was convinced that I was going to be stringing up the ropes of this, and sleeping above the ground because I was worried about some sort of dangerous animals that might come after me. When, then later, you find out the reality is, that you’re always able to find some sort of accommodation even if it’s very budget type and wasn’t a problem.
Jeff: Do you think… would you recommend this type of lifestyle to someone else?
Jonathan: I don’t know if my lifestyles very suitable for other people because they have more roots than I do. They’ve settled down in some way. They have a regular job that they have to go to. Myself, usually only working perhaps four months a year, I don’t have the same responsibilities that other people do and I’m not married. I don’t have kids. I have no need to decorate a room in any way.
Jeff: Well, tomorrow, I’m getting rid of my house, all my possessions and saying goodbye to my girlfriend and buying suitcase.
Jonathan: OK. As long as you don’t try to live out of mine. There isn’t enough room for you as well.