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Monday, May 21, 2007
Inspiration
Inspiration comes in many forms and is often more readily available then we realize. Sometimes it's as simple as looking at some everyday object in a different light, or different time of day or through someone else's eyes.
My mum and I have spent a lot of time in the past few months discussing my love for travel and my desire to find a way to get paid for it, or at least to have my expenses covered. She recently bought me a book by Lonely Planet called "Travel Writing". My mum is one of my main sources of inspiration, and by her getting me this book, has provided me yet another bit of inspiration. My good friend Penelope has also been an inspiration for this blog I have started. I first did not quite get the whole "blogging" idea but upon random readings on her blog I became inspired and intrigued. It was the combination of my mum, the book and discussions, and Penelope's blogging expertise that I decided to put this blog together and test out my skills as a writer.
I am attempting to keep this blog travel-focused since, as I stated above, it is an effort to practice and progress as a possible future travel writer. Penelope and I were talking about this at a cook-off party Saturday evening and how hard it is to keep a blog focused on one particular topic. I am already finding this to be true, as you quickly realize how much there is to write about and think about on a daily basis. I do truly want to keep this focused on travel but I may also create a section for "random musings". In the very least, I may incorporate more day-to-day thoughts into my general postings by relating them to travel and how different areas of my life can relate to my love of travel.
Blogging is my new black.
My mum and I have spent a lot of time in the past few months discussing my love for travel and my desire to find a way to get paid for it, or at least to have my expenses covered. She recently bought me a book by Lonely Planet called "Travel Writing". My mum is one of my main sources of inspiration, and by her getting me this book, has provided me yet another bit of inspiration. My good friend Penelope has also been an inspiration for this blog I have started. I first did not quite get the whole "blogging" idea but upon random readings on her blog I became inspired and intrigued. It was the combination of my mum, the book and discussions, and Penelope's blogging expertise that I decided to put this blog together and test out my skills as a writer.
I am attempting to keep this blog travel-focused since, as I stated above, it is an effort to practice and progress as a possible future travel writer. Penelope and I were talking about this at a cook-off party Saturday evening and how hard it is to keep a blog focused on one particular topic. I am already finding this to be true, as you quickly realize how much there is to write about and think about on a daily basis. I do truly want to keep this focused on travel but I may also create a section for "random musings". In the very least, I may incorporate more day-to-day thoughts into my general postings by relating them to travel and how different areas of my life can relate to my love of travel.
Blogging is my new black.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Complacency v.s. Fear
Complacency: n. A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy.
Fear: n. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
Although self-satisfaction is something we often strive for, it can also become a crutch especially when matched up against fear. People are often more apt to choose complacency over confrontation of fear, because the outcome can never be negative. However, the outcome isn't negative because you are already living it, the answers already exist. With fear, the end is unknown, the path is usually unknown as well. Things could end badly. On the contrary, sometimes the most frightening things have the greatest rewards. You have to risk big to gain big.
I make this comparison because I think it can so easily be related to travel. It is easier to not travel then travel alone and chance being mugged, lost in a foreign country, not meeting anyone, being lonely, winding up in a dodgey part of town where you don't speak the language. On the other hand, facing that fear and getting on the road solo can lead to stumbling upon amazing sights and adventures, meeting new best friends and making lifelong connections, experiencing feelings you never have, feeling personal excitement and satisfaction that is only achieved by conquering fear.
I have traveled solo on multiple occasions, in the US and abroad. There isn't a single solo trip I go on that I don't feel fear and anxiety for at least a few minutes upon departure or arrival in a new city. But it's that fear that drives me! It's like that old show, Gladiators. People would run at doors knowing that it was possible that a Gladiator would be on the other side, but running through that door was the only way to win in the end. If you can stare in the face of fear and laugh, then right behind it is a rainbow and pot of gold.
Generalizations are not usually my favorite, but I'm going to go ahead and make one. It seems that, as a culture, Americans are not promoted to travel like residents of other countries. Along the way, I have met very few Americans on the road, taking a gap year or just traveling. There are the "post college backpack across Europe" group, but I mean really travel...round the world, south america, south east asia, africa, europe, the whole shebang. We are promoted to go to college, get a good internship, get right into the working world and begin working 70 hour weeks to make our millions. Even in the way we dine, it's a "wham bam thank you ma'am" kind of culture...we are trained to seek instant gratification. You can almost see the disappointment or shock on people's face when you say, "i think i'm going to take a year off to travel." It's like you have officially been labeled "slacker vagabond" by saying that. Traveling should be a requirement...it truly makes you learn not only about yourself but more about your culture, where you came from, where you are going.
Back to the complacency topic - the thought of throwing in the towel and taking off on an adventure is probably one of the most frightening things we can experience. Whether it's taking a new job, moving to a foreign country or quitting your job to take time off and travel. What is it that finally allows people to take that leap, that big step? What is the "tipping point" to finally packing your stuff up, putting it in storage, packing a bag, buying a ticket and taking off...knowing when you return you are jobless and homeless? The mental battle that occurs knows that, as mentioned above, getting past the fear will reap the greatest rewards, but how do you quiet the "responsible" side of your mind? Do you just have to purchase the ticket one day and there you have it?
Fear: n. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
Although self-satisfaction is something we often strive for, it can also become a crutch especially when matched up against fear. People are often more apt to choose complacency over confrontation of fear, because the outcome can never be negative. However, the outcome isn't negative because you are already living it, the answers already exist. With fear, the end is unknown, the path is usually unknown as well. Things could end badly. On the contrary, sometimes the most frightening things have the greatest rewards. You have to risk big to gain big.
I make this comparison because I think it can so easily be related to travel. It is easier to not travel then travel alone and chance being mugged, lost in a foreign country, not meeting anyone, being lonely, winding up in a dodgey part of town where you don't speak the language. On the other hand, facing that fear and getting on the road solo can lead to stumbling upon amazing sights and adventures, meeting new best friends and making lifelong connections, experiencing feelings you never have, feeling personal excitement and satisfaction that is only achieved by conquering fear.
I have traveled solo on multiple occasions, in the US and abroad. There isn't a single solo trip I go on that I don't feel fear and anxiety for at least a few minutes upon departure or arrival in a new city. But it's that fear that drives me! It's like that old show, Gladiators. People would run at doors knowing that it was possible that a Gladiator would be on the other side, but running through that door was the only way to win in the end. If you can stare in the face of fear and laugh, then right behind it is a rainbow and pot of gold.
Generalizations are not usually my favorite, but I'm going to go ahead and make one. It seems that, as a culture, Americans are not promoted to travel like residents of other countries. Along the way, I have met very few Americans on the road, taking a gap year or just traveling. There are the "post college backpack across Europe" group, but I mean really travel...round the world, south america, south east asia, africa, europe, the whole shebang. We are promoted to go to college, get a good internship, get right into the working world and begin working 70 hour weeks to make our millions. Even in the way we dine, it's a "wham bam thank you ma'am" kind of culture...we are trained to seek instant gratification. You can almost see the disappointment or shock on people's face when you say, "i think i'm going to take a year off to travel." It's like you have officially been labeled "slacker vagabond" by saying that. Traveling should be a requirement...it truly makes you learn not only about yourself but more about your culture, where you came from, where you are going.
Back to the complacency topic - the thought of throwing in the towel and taking off on an adventure is probably one of the most frightening things we can experience. Whether it's taking a new job, moving to a foreign country or quitting your job to take time off and travel. What is it that finally allows people to take that leap, that big step? What is the "tipping point" to finally packing your stuff up, putting it in storage, packing a bag, buying a ticket and taking off...knowing when you return you are jobless and homeless? The mental battle that occurs knows that, as mentioned above, getting past the fear will reap the greatest rewards, but how do you quiet the "responsible" side of your mind? Do you just have to purchase the ticket one day and there you have it?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Notes from the road - a compilation
Throughout my travels, I have been blessed with meeting some amazing people. People from all over the world, from all walks of life, with all different stories to tell. Lawyers, doctors, students, freeloaders, surfers, artists, architects, computer techs, entrepreneurs, you name it. Some people are traveling for a month, some for a year. Some are finding themselves, others losing themselves. I have found inspiration and motivation from so many of these people and after each of my trips, as I return to the 9-5 computer screen desk life, I revel in the fact that I can continue to dream and travel vicariously through these new friends.
During my most recent trip to Brasil, the vast majority of people I met were continuing to travel for as little as 3 months and as long as a year. Upon my return, I made a point of continuing communication with these new friends in an effort to not only maintain and grow these new bonds, but also to hear of their continuing adventures. Here are some excerpts from emails of these various new friends and their continued wanderings.
"Nick and I had a rad time...everything was crazy.
and good times. yes we did meet up with the aussie boys. killed it in la
paz. such a good time to see them again. we also met up with a crew we have
been with since
dangerous road. I continued north of
some surfing there....yes i have extended my travels. I am in NZ right now
on the north island. it is amazing here but $$$$$$. we were going to go
skydiving today, but too windy so hopefully in the next town. also looking
forward to some surf here. I am travelling with two of the crew from buenos
aires and la paz...we are here for about another ten days then we are going
up to fiji!!!" - Colin from Vancouver
"i am still in holland since a month. Almost leaving again. Bought a car, A peugeot 206, dont know if you drive those cars overthere but this baby is gonna take me to southern europe. Monday i am driving my way down. Takes about 4 hours to reach France. After crossing holland, belgium and luxembourg, yes its a very handy small continent. Than it will take me 7 more hours to go to the south west of france where i am gonna pitch my tent and surf for 2 weeks before ill head to spain." Casper from Holland
"Im staying here in Floripa now. I work here in a surfboard factory.
I have a little place on the beach. Surfing every day. Life is good." - Roy from Australia
"In early April we decided we needed to get out of La Paz! off to the jungle we went for an excursion of crocs, paranhas, and anacondas (though we didn't find any...after three hours in of hiking through a swamp in 40 degree weather, covered in mosquitos)." - Colin from Vancouver
I read these notes and stories and find my mind trailing off into visions of massive mountains and sandy beaches, thatched huts and muddy roads, rickety buses and cheap beer. They bring me back to memories of stories from my trips...the memories make me smile.
Traveling solo is what has afforded me the opportunity to receive these tales from the road...it forced me out of my comfort zone and into a place where I had the choice of making friends or being alone for the next week, two weeks, month. Sitting in the lobby or dining hall of a hostel is like sitting amongst old friends...you already have 10 things in common with everyone there. Conversations come easy, and lifelong friendships form quickly.
I open my email each day with the silent anticipation of another email detailing my international friends' "notes from the road". It keeps each day from seeming like just another Tuesday.
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