From City Life To Off-Grid Homesteading

Hailing from Las Vegas, a place of glitz and glam, I never fathomed that I would become the proprietor of a plot of land and dwell off the grid. Yet, here I sit in my abode in Cambodia, enveloped by the fruitful results of my toil. It has been an arduous voyage to reach this point, replete with ebbs and flows, but every instant has been worth it. Even now, at any given juncture, should I so desire, I can readily board a plane and find myself back in my humble abode in Las Vegas.

It all commenced when my spouse and I resolved that we yearned for a change (really, just to be together more as I was away too many days to count). We grew weary of the hectic hubbub (that held many stresses for me) of urban existence and longed for a more simplistic way of life. After extensive research, we settled upon the concept of homestead prepping. The notion of self-sufficiency and a life intertwined with the land captivated us, and we were exhilarated to embark on our odyssey.

The initial step entailed locating an appropriate parcel of land. We scoured the entire expanse of the United States, yet we were unable to discover anything that fulfilled our requirements. We coveted a vast tract of land that was economically viable and granted access to water. After months of fruitless searching, we expanded our quest to encompass other nations.

Eventually, we stumbled upon Cambodia (mainly because this is my wife's home country). A picturesque country teeming with amiable denizens, where land prices were comparatively affordable. We chanced upon a plot of land on the outskirts of Sen Monorom, and we instantaneously fell under its spell. The soil was fertile, and a perennial stream coursed through it. Following some skillful negotiations, we procured the land and embarked upon our new escapade.

Erecting a homestead from scratch is no facile task. We had to master a plethora of novel skills, ranging from agriculture to carpentry. Nonetheless, we were resolute in our determination to make this endeavor a success, and we wholeheartedly immersed ourselves in the undertaking.

One of our foremost undertakings involved constructing a diminutive cabin where we could reside whilst laboring away on the remainder of the land. Although we possessed some prior construction experience, erecting a cabin devoid of power tools presented a whole new challenge. We executed the majority of the labor manually, utilizing saws and hammers to piece it all together. The labor was grueling, yet witnessing its gradual transformation filled us with an immense sense of accomplishment.

The subsequent stage entailed clearing the land. We had to eradicate all the trees and undergrowth prior to commencing our crop cultivation. This was laborious work, particularly given the sweltering and humid climate of Cambodia. Armed with machetes and axes, we felled the trees and subsequently incinerated the debris to clear the land. It was a gradual and methodical process, but in due course, we were left with a cleared expanse, ready for planting.

Next, we had to determine which crops to cultivate. We aspired to grow a diverse array of produce, both for personal consumption and for vending at local markets. We initiated our cultivation with the basics such as rice and vegetables, yet we also ventured into the realm of more exotic crops like dragon fruit and durian. It was an educational process, fraught with numerous missteps along the way. However, we also savored some triumphs, and it was gratifying to witness the burgeoning fields.

Living off the grid also poses its fair share of challenges. We lack access to electricity and running water, necessitating our reliance on solar panels and rainwater collection systems. We must be mindful of our water consumption, particularly during the parched dry season. Furthermore, residing in a remote locale mandates that we be self-sufficient in matters of healthcare and transportation.

We have acquired an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. A profound bond with the land now permeates our existence, and we take pride in knowing precisely where our sustenance originates. We have forged friendships with our neighbors and gleaned invaluable wisdom from the local farming community. Additionally, we have been afforded the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a new culture and have developed an abiding fondness for the people and the landscape of Cambodia.

Our exploration of homestead prepping is far from complete. We still have a wealth of knowledge to acquire and tasks to fulfill. However, we derive immense satisfaction from the progress we have achieved thus far, and we eagerly anticipate the next stage of this expedition.

For us, homestead prepping is not merely an avenue of escape from the pandemonium of urban existence. It is a way of life that enables us to coexist harmoniously with our surroundings, cultivate novel abilities, and forge connections with the world around us. It is not without its challenges, yet it consistently yields gratification.

Our transition from city life (mine = Las Vegas/ hers = Phnom Penh) to off-grid homesteading has presented us with formidable hurdles, but we would not trade this experience for anything. The acquisition of land and the cultivation of crops in Cambodia have realized our long-held aspirations, allowing us to embrace self-sufficiency while immersing ourselves in a unique jungle culture outside the city. We have had to master numerous unfamiliar skills and surmount numerous obstacles, yet we firmly believe that the rewards outweigh the adversities. Embracing an off-grid lifestyle has instilled in us a profound appreciation for life's simple pleasures, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this journey into the unknown.

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Original story (created by me) published on Medium.com. Any changes and/or updates that have been added on Vocal.media are for content consumption purposes.

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