Chattanoogans traveled to 100 countries with just carry-on luggage

by Mark Kennedy

Some people are well-traveled, while other people travel well.

Mike and Angela Ballard, who live in Chattanooga, check both boxes.

They know things. For instance, they say you should never go outside in Baghdad at midnight on New Year’s Eve, when revelers fire weapons into the air. (On the other hand, as Americans, the Ballards said they were gifted every restaurant meal they ate while visiting Iraq.)

They have been to 122 countries together — including 100 nations in one 12-month stretch five years ago. The around-the-world journey in 2018-19 included stops in all seven continents and was accomplished using only one carry-on bag and a backpack each.

“We don’t care what we are wearing in a picture,” Angela Ballard said in an interview. “We have realized that we don’t need a lot of stuff.”

Solidly middle-class — Mike Ballard works for Hamilton County public schools, and Angela Ballard is a marketing and graphics design pro — the couple said they live by the borrowed mantra: You can afford anything, you just can’t afford everything.

It took five years of saving and planning to pay for that around-the-world trip. Mike Ballard says some people like fancy cars and bass boats, while he prefers experiences. To save money, Angela Ballard said her husband cuts her hair, and she doesn’t get her nails done or splurge on coffee shops.

Mike Ballard explained, “When we were planning the big trip we said, ‘We are going to put back so much (money) a week, and we aren’t going to touch it.’”

They have learned to equate everyday splurges with travel equivalents. For example, a $16 cocktail-hour at a restaurant here or a couple of coffees from a local coffee shop would pay for a night in a three-room hotel suite in Damascus, Syria, with breakfast included, Angela Ballard said.

They’ve also been able to monetize their journeys through travel journalism, such as writing for travel guide publisher Lonely Planet and several airline magazines. They also do some work for a Chattanooga television station. They even established a company called We Married Adventure, which is an LLC linked to their travel.

The two said they plan to eventually move to another country they can use as a hub for further travel. Mike Ballard, 55, is getting close to retirement, and Angela Ballard, 49, can work remotely.

On their short list of places that seem like candidates for relocation:

— Japan, where village housing is relatively inexpensive and the greenery is breathtaking, they said.

— Portugal (or maybe the Azores islands in the North Atlantic, which are part of Portugal), which could be a perfect launch point for travel throughout Europe.

— Mexico City, because they believe it’s a hidden gem for Americans; with boroughs like New York, but a lower cost of living.

— Argentina, which is one of the most populous countries in the world with a rich culture, as well.

— Botswana, where the sunsets seem to last for hours, and the star shine is spiritual.

Sometime over the next year, the Ballards will take another extensive, multimonth journey in hopes of narrowing down the list.

“We are kind of looking at travel as a buffet,” Angela Ballard said. “We are taking a spoonful of each (country) to see where we want to go back to get more.”

The two said they have learned to be confident travelers, even when going places that might spook others. Traveling light is part of the formula, as the Ballards said they don’t have to worry about dragging extra belongings around the the world.

“The world is a lot safer than anybody expects,” Mike Ballard said. “We have been on trips with people who haven’t traveled much. It’s new and scary to them. Over the course or a week or 10 days, we’ve watched the scales fall from their eyes.”

One man they met on their journeys has driven home that lesson. Tony Giles, a British man who has been blind since birth and often travels alone, has visited more than 150 countries.

“This guy will book a ticket, get on a plane and rely on the world to take care of him,” Mike Ballard said. “The level of trust he has is amazing. If anybody who is sighted is worried (about travel), just look at Tony, who throws himself on the mercy of the world.”

The Ballards are members of an international group of extreme travelers called NomadMania. As such, they have acted as guides to international travelers who come to Chattanooga, including a pair of visitors who recently wanted to ride the Incline Railway.

Interestingly, the Ballards said the visitors, who have traveled around the world, thought Chattanooga was one of the cleanest cities they had ever visited.

“Like, Japan clean,” Mike said.

In a broad sense, the Ballards said visiting 122 countries has helped hone their world view, while also helping them realize travel can be a lifelong pursuit.

“It’s a really big world, and we have seen so little of it,” Angela Ballard said.

Mike Ballard said his world travels have convinced him Americans worry too much.

“What people worry about is 99% of the time ridiculous,” he said. “It’s minutia we agonize about.”

Meanwhile, his best advice for travelers is to plan well but to be open to unexpected experiences.

“If you are open to adventure and let it happen, the unscripted adventure is always better than the planned one,” Mike said.

Life Stories publishes on Mondays. To suggest a human interest story, contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645.