Travel Writer: Lauren
Lauren grew up everywhere and nowhere. As a military brat, her bedroom quite often consisted of whatever she unpacked from her suitcase. Her family was always experience-focused rather than commodity-focused, and all six family members enjoy roaming with few possessions and a passport full of stamps. She feels lucky and indebted to her family for such an amazing youth.
(image) Shanghai, China
In early 2001 the family retired and moved state-side. They unpacked their suitcases and bought a small farm raising apple trees, rabbits and the occasional turkey or sheep. At any given time there were over five cats guarding the property, and a mangy rabbit dwells next to the stove in the kitchen watching as the family cooks. Several of the family members remain on that property—though no piece of land has yet to hold a Johnson for more than a few years at length, and they travel often.
Lauren went to college in Minnesota, where she triple majored in English literature, political theory and world history. After living in one place for two years (a near record) she became exhausted and journeyed to Central Asia and then China before graduating in 2005. She has permanent frostbite damage on two toes from her time in the tundra.
(image above) Darvaza, Turkmenistan, 2009
After college Lauren tried to avoid taking a real job by applying to grad school. Oddly enough, she was accepted-- and attended Illinois State University, where she earned an MS in non-western history. She worked at a museum while she earned her degree, and, more importantly, she met the charming and dashing Michael Bromley, a guitar player and avid watcher of Steve McQueen movies. The two struck up a hearty friendship and shared stories of travelling in China over large glasses of Jack on the rocks.
After graduation Lauren jokingly enquired if Mike wanted to travel to China with her the following month. Tickets were bough, travel books were consulted and, in June of 2006, the two met at the airport amid a blur of kisses and waves to family, and departed for an epic adventure across the most populated country in the world.
(image above) Khiva, Uzbekistan, 2009
In a scheme to earn some money and expereince the cubicle, Lauren and Mike took jobs in Shanghai. Lauren worked at a British investment bank for 9 months. It was in Shanghai’s corporate underbelly that Mike and Lauren realized cubicles were the same no matter the location. They have decided to abandon the cube for good. Currently they are traveling in Turkey. They have been on the road full-time since May, 2009 and have traveled from Shanghai to Istanbul, by land and sea.
(Image above) Urgench Fortress Ruins, Uzbekistan, 2009
Please read about Mike as well.