Sunday, November 4, 2007

Around the World

I'm sitting in my brother's attic in Tacoma with the rain pelting the skylight above my head, thinking back over this past year. I've had a lot of time to think this past month, as I'm recovering from mono and can't do much else other than look at photo's, read, and watch movies. It's a far cry from wandering from place to place, waking up to different sounds wafting in through the window, meeting strange and unusual people. Yes, these days are a bit more tame, but it's a transition time that allows for contemplation. Lately I've had a hard time figuring out how to put an end to this blog. I've had so many diverse experiences this year and to paraphrase or "sum it up" would be futile and redundant, not to mention boring as hell. I enjoyed sharing some stories though this site, and was glad to keep people up to date (relatively) throughout my so called adventure. I tried not to get too philosophical or wordy in my previous posts as I have a heart and a little modesty, but in this case I will make an exception, feel free to run if you get the urge. For those brave enough to read on, consider yourself warned, I've had nothing to do for a long time now. First of all I had a great time, that much is for sure. I saw some old friends, made some new ones, and shared some laughs with people I will never see again. I will cherish all of these memories for the rest of my life. Not many people choose to travel alone, and it's easy to presume the reasons for doing so. Was I really just being a bum, blowing a bunch of money for some thrilling but short lived good times? Or was I running from my life, my responsibilities? The most common preconception is that a traveller is trying to "find oneself". Those that are attempting to do this probably found out what I did fairly soon, life on the road is much like life in general. There are routines to be had if you want them. There can be stress, boredom, even work to go to if you don't watch out. I was lonely at times, missing friends and family, but also had the most exhilarating adventures of my life. Touring around from country to country is a learning experience you can't get from a book or the travel channel. I certainly had a brief encounter with a lot of cultures this year, 16 countries in all. I can't really say I "know" much about any of them sadly, but I was able to get a feeling for each place, soak in some of the pace of life, notice the little differences and commonalities. I know now where I would like to return and where I want to avoid, and I have noticed much higher scores on geography questions on Jeopardy, not that it gives me a chance against my mother, the Kung Fu master TV competition! One revelation I've had this past year was how little I know about MY OWN country, magnified by the fact that so much of the world is familiar with our culture. There's a lot to see out there, beautiful places, historical artifacts, the strange and grotesque, but if you try to see it all, your going to miss out. In the end, the important thing to me was the change in my perception of time. In the repetition of the working world I think we tend to forget how to use it, we condense it down and fill it up and think there is none but really we just let it pass us by. During the past year time seemed to fly, weeks seemed like days, every moment was "here and now". Time also slowed down, 20 minutes spent underwater seemed like hours, watching the sun set on the sea almost froze to a picture, and a first kiss seems like its still happening. Little of this has to do with place, and I didn't have to be travelling to experience them, but for some reason, the fact of being in a different place made me appreciate them more. I guess I felt more connected to my life this past year, and appreciated it more than I have in a long time. The other main aspect of this tramp around the world has to do with appreciating all that we have that others do not. I've seen poverty and sickness met with smiles and optimism, learned to squat over a hole without feeling funny about it, and had certain personal rights taken away for the first time. Not taking things for granted is how I've grown this past year, and I think anyone can use a dose of the facts of life every once in a while. So was it all worth it? The way I see it, if you have the option to try something when most don't, it would be a shame not too. So why not? I'm excited that I now know a smidgen of Mandarin, can drive a stick on the wrong side of the road, can describe the taste of my favorite Trappist bear, and can watch a Premiere League game and recognize a players name. I've read more books this year than in the past five and returned in the best shape of my life. Upon my return I have been so glad to see my friends in San Francisco and Seattle and spend Thanksgiving with my family knowing that I love this country. So I can't say that I have much to complain about with my around the world trip. Bryson describes travel as, "... a series of interesting guesses." I'm guessing this will not be the last time I travel, but I probably will never do anything quite like this again. For any interested, here are some links to the many movies I took this past year. There, the blog to end all blogs.
New Zealand
Oz
Australian Day Funny Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSFW3RlspU
Thailand
Laos
Cambodia
Vietnam
Japan
Korea
China
Hong Kong
England
Scotland
Belgium
Germany
Austria
New York
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