Traveling alone is very primeval at its core. I think that humans are hard-wired to move about. But it is a lot more than the need to shift and learn about other peoples, cultures, and societies. It is about self-realization and new perspectives on life in this crazy world. It is less complicated than going at it with other people that you know because you can carry on at your pace and see what you want to see, whenever you want. In this sense, that defines the phrase "footloose and fancy free," whatever that even means now.
So I ask what is wrong with traveling for the sake of learning? The sake of traveling? That in and of itself is a good enough reason to leave home. In our society, there always has to be a motive. I cannot tell you how many times I say that I am going off somewhere and the response is, "Great! For what?" I always say, "Just because." It is an inevitable eyebrow raiser 99 percent of the time. If you have the desire, I say do it. There is far too much to see out there. That is the beauty of it all!
Tomorrow morning I will be off to Munich, Germany on my second backpacking adventure. I'll hit Dachau, Prague, Český Krumlov, Bratislava, East Slovakia, Vienna, and Salzburg if all goes as planned (it never does!) I am going "just because." I am going to get in touch with my Bohemian/Slovak roots, to explore, and to drink great beer! I'm going to update my blog periodically, so stay tuned!
Time to finish packing my rucksack and get amped for this. For inspiration before trips, I listen to Sigur Rós's album, Ágætis Byrjun, and drink strong coffee. Listening to Ágætis Byrjun is like being born over and over and over. Similar to touching down on uncharted territory, you can start anew for a while. I'm ready to be reborn.
So I ask what is wrong with traveling for the sake of learning? The sake of traveling? That in and of itself is a good enough reason to leave home. In our society, there always has to be a motive. I cannot tell you how many times I say that I am going off somewhere and the response is, "Great! For what?" I always say, "Just because." It is an inevitable eyebrow raiser 99 percent of the time. If you have the desire, I say do it. There is far too much to see out there. That is the beauty of it all!
Tomorrow morning I will be off to Munich, Germany on my second backpacking adventure. I'll hit Dachau, Prague, Český Krumlov, Bratislava, East Slovakia, Vienna, and Salzburg if all goes as planned (it never does!) I am going "just because." I am going to get in touch with my Bohemian/Slovak roots, to explore, and to drink great beer! I'm going to update my blog periodically, so stay tuned!
Time to finish packing my rucksack and get amped for this. For inspiration before trips, I listen to Sigur Rós's album, Ágætis Byrjun, and drink strong coffee. Listening to Ágætis Byrjun is like being born over and over and over. Similar to touching down on uncharted territory, you can start anew for a while. I'm ready to be reborn.
2 comments:
hey! its liz from the hostel in munich. how is your trip going!?
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness. Many people need it sorely on these accounts. Board, wholesome views of men cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of earth all ones life. Travel helps us discover we are family after all." - Mark Twain
your post reminded me of this quote, but i also happened upon this next one while searching for the exact wording:
"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." - Maya Angelou
on a more relevent note, i can imagine that sigur ros was the best thing you could've listened to before this incredible journey.
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