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Farewell, New York.

The time has finally come for me to leave New York City.

It has been two years since my last travel adventure, and my wanderlust has reached boiling point. I’m officially jaded. Enough is enough.

ny_cab

I’d like to thank those of you who’ve stuck around and followed my banal settled existence during this period of my life.

When I arrived in New York in October 2013 from the Caribbean, I only intended to stay for three months. I would never have thought I’d be here two years later.

The causal alcoholism, the women, the money: the NYC lifestyle is one I could get used to, I thought, and after being offered a once-in-a-lifetime US work visa after graduating my masters, I jumped at the chance. Then I extended my visa twice.1468588_10201868805734572_123838938_n

Looking back on my 2+ years here, NYC has been somewhat bitter sweet for me, to be honest.

I had high hopes for several projects when I arrived, but suffered a lot of setbacks and didn’t quite make the waves I expected. In the last few months, I managed to get a major production company behind a Naughty Nomad TV Show, but as of yet no major network has picked it up—with liability insurance and political correctness being major concerns. My fingers are still crossed, but I’m working on the assumption that any future video series will be self-funded.

Despite that and other failed expectations, my time in NYC has been mostly positive, and I feel I’ve conquered the city.

I’ve managed to clear all my debt and save up a nice stack of cash, I’ve completed two sailing courses, and I published the very first New York City Guidebook for Men. I’ve learned how to cook, how to fight, and how to develop meaningful relationships.sailing!

My body, my bank account, and my emotional well-being have never been better than they are now.

I could have stayed here for a few more months if I wanted, but there is no way I’m missing Christmas with my family for three years in a row.

I must also return for the only thing I miss more than an Irish Christmas: dirt cheap European flights.

I’ve already booked my first couple of excursions, with Barcelona, Andorra, and Morocco on the hit list for January. I’m also going to a stag-do in Slovakia in March. I’m not sure where-else is on the cards as I’ve a wedding to attend in May, but one thing is for sure: I plan on visiting my 100th country by my 30th birthday in September. By then, I also hope to have written my third book: the much awaited sequel to my first one. I’m already several chapters in and it’s going to be epic.

To a bright future and new horizons, my friends!

New York will always have a special place in my heart, and no doubt I’ll one day return, but for now I say farewell.

road-dawn-mountains-sky (1)

15 Responses to Farewell, New York.

  1. Oliver December 21, 2015 at 3:35 pm #

    Wish you the best on your journey. Btw I did not know that the word “wanderlust” was also used in English. Sorry, I am from Austria and I am amazed to see this seemingly “German” word to be used in the US also. Great.

  2. geowulf December 21, 2015 at 5:03 pm #

    looking forward to read the old good travel bang storys again!

  3. Izzy December 21, 2015 at 10:34 pm #

    Hey Mark,

    Sorry to see ya leave. I bought ya guide to NY, and as a native NY’er i even learned a lot. Hope you have fun moving on, and look forward to one day meeting up when you come back.

    Quick aside, where did you get that long coat you’re wearing with the purple scarf underneath? I’ve been looking for something like that, hopefully you found in the states? Thanks again!

    • Mark Zolo December 24, 2015 at 12:11 pm #

      Hi Izzy, I bought it either Zara or H and M over there.

  4. william December 22, 2015 at 1:41 pm #

    It’s about fucking time you get back out there.

  5. Jesse December 22, 2015 at 9:45 pm #

    Hope this means we’ll see more updates, like in the oldin’ days !

    • splooge December 27, 2015 at 10:13 pm #

      hey his horniness is going down…dont push the poor guy.

      should head back an check miami. heard lotta freat things about the city weather n nightlife

  6. xo December 23, 2015 at 3:29 pm #

    Finally!

  7. Lukas December 29, 2015 at 5:34 am #

    Hi Mark,

    Too bad I will be in Carribean at the same time you’ll be in Slovakia :D.
    Anyway, if you stay in Bratislava, definetelly check out Harley Saloon -> https://www.facebook.com/harley.sk

    Wish you all the best during your travel experience 😉

  8. irish-american December 30, 2015 at 11:20 pm #

    People are starting to realize that the collapse of the US is not due to incompetence, but by design.

    Our overlords do not want to rescue the economy. They are intentionally ruining the country.

    Once the USA is destroyed and the poor become too much of a burden on the rich, the elites will soon say Capitalism failed so they can justify turning the US into a hardcore Communist state. Americans will then be sent to concentration camps and starved and killed so the 1% can divide the wealth and land among themselves.

    Those fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

    Wake up. How else can you explain why the government is doing the opposite of every logical action to help the economy? Economics isn’t rocket science. If you want to boost the economy and nation, don’t allow millions of cheap illegal immigrants to flood the country, offshore jobs to 3rd world countries, punish hard work with taxes and regulations, and reward laziness with welfare.

    Sadly Americans won’t realize what is happening until it is too late.

    Never underestimate the inhumanity of man towards man. Greed has no bounds.

  9. will January 2, 2016 at 1:30 am #

    He is back!!!!! About time

  10. nescio January 15, 2016 at 8:25 am #

    Can’t wait for the third book, man.

  11. Ben January 28, 2016 at 9:54 pm #

    Come visit your favorite African country, Ethiopia!

  12. NumOne January 26, 2017 at 10:30 pm #

    What would be your C.O.H and Q.O.G rating for New York?

    • Mark Zolo January 27, 2017 at 5:18 pm #

      3.5 on both

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