What's the Jerschina secret to travel?
I'd argue, as a 22 year old dude with a petite knapsack of answers and one or two trips notched sloppily into my belt, that taking the first step is the secret. Nothing replaces a trip other than leaping into it - with the crazy (or crazily mundane? You decide, reader!) lives we all lead, the window of precious opportunity you need to leap out of isn't quite so big as you'd imagine.
Trips start out with an idea - like a stubborn wind-blown marijuana seed sown in an elderly neighbor's garden that covertly gleans sunlight... or maybe it's watching a movie like Into the Wild or The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that fuels the glimmer of wanderlust; or it's a hike in the woods or even a lame facebook post. Like anything else, perspective and wanderlust fade when the same friends, foods, and roadsides swirl around you everyday.
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| Going to the beach helps your perspective? Probably. (Oahu) |
That's my take, with my particular kind of getting out there: a few threads of a plan and a jar of peanut butter for emergencies; a big atlas with some questionably large areas circled. Hobo travel is scary for the unknown at first but gets easier with time- there's something enticing about being out there. Last year in Europe, my itinerary didn't have a planned conclusion and vaguely stretched no more than four days out over the course of a month. Two years ago, returning from South Korea via Japan, I stayed with a friend in Alaska on a whim. Three years ago, I hitchhiked (for the second time) out of Ohio and went 500 miles in three days and couchsurfed with a buddy in South Carolina for a week. There's no regret in adventure, and if there is, well, maybe you need a new kind of adventure.
It just takes bad idea and a first step to get going. Now, I find the uncertainty petulantly attractive. I pretend there's a platinum member "Reckless Traveler" card in my map-print wallet. It's not for everyone, sure, but they all should try it. You too, reader. You're one of "they all"... or y'all, if you're from Ohio or the South.
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| Other times you try local delicacies (poi) and realize they're, uh, different? |
Coming back from Hawaii was interesting- there I was working as a nurse orientee in an Army hospital on Oahu. On days off, there's plenty to do with the awesome buddies that were there with me... but I've already been here twice. It's kinda old hat... which is only something you'd hear me say about Hawaii.
So since the Air Force likely has me on some kind of watchlist after the last two years of airborne shenanigans, I'm opting for Canada! Hitchhiking, backpacking, couchsurfing until my feet hurt and moose are tired of charging me! My vision is I'll drop my pack on rocky sand, take out my last Clif bar, and dip my toes in the Pacific and reflect on just how bad an idea the whole thing was and how great the stories are, some 5,000 kilometers later (personally I think it's more exotic and impressive to say kilometers, my secret is revealed!) Let's hope I make it that far without too many close calls and rainy days.
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| Or savage Canadian militants like me and Brown :D |
So here I am, leaving for Canada in a few hours- a day on a bus to get me antsy for a few weeks leather tramping it. I encourage you, reader, to grow that same seed of restless nomadism, not in pursuit of discontentment, but in a savage chase after curiosity and adventure.... more on that in a few weeks when I'm back. So long!
