The motivation behind being a traveler is another story of seeking the roots of existence.
There may be so many drives such as the effort for understanding the unknown, running away from routines, finding the “self”, wanting to tread where no one has trodden before, trying to forget sorrows or just to prove you are living… Meeting new people, understanding different cultures are the main reasons; but really is it true?
Whatever your motivation is, it means you have an issue with life and you are unconsciously conscious of it, in a way. Maybe you just start questioning some things…
In this article we will make excursions in our lonely planet and mind.
Australia’s endless roads into vast emptiness…
The lights of the bus were barely illuminating the road ahead in a vast and barren area. I was observing the people in the bus, the driver and the road and frequently finding my mind in dreamy voyages. Where was I? What was I doing? I had questions about my family, myself? After all, the answer was to reach the next destination. Ehh, Ok! And then?
When you leave the East Coast of Australia you are in the middle of a huge continent except for cities and small settlements. The distances are enormous when compared to Europe and most places in the world. The term “outback” is used for these isolated places in Australia. After Adelaide, my next spot would be Perth, which means almost 3000 km
.
Relocation of a campervan…
Since I was experimenting “relocation”, I had only 6 days to go with the campervan that I would drive. As a crazy enough traveler, I add other spots to see up and down off the main road which added up to 3500 kms in total. It seemed an overwhelming distance but I enjoyed it a lot and it is one of my remarkable travel memories.
I am ex-navy. It means to reach the destination safe and sound is my first priority. In the meantime as a blogger I was taking photos, trying foods, talking people who gave me valuable advice and information. Instagram posts, blogging and documenting was my job as well. Today I consider these things unnecessary. But now and then, these efforts reminded me of who I am.
149 kms, the longest straight road in the world in Nullarbor plains was a meditation in a way. I am happy that I made it. Even though we don’t comprehend that life is telling its simple truths at those moments, the magic is to see that plain simplicity.
Thailand to Laos: Two days in a long boat in Mekong River…
Southeast Asia is another story. I am basically for South America. But with the first words in my mind for Southeast Asia it is humid, happy, sad, spoiled by exploiters, cheap, different and deep in some sense. I spent 8 months in Southeast Asia countries.
I want to express my feelings Off the beaten path about my two days’ trip on Mekong River. There were more than 100 people including myself in a long boat. The aim was to make a simple river excursion and reach Luang Probang from Chiang Mai. For travelers in Thailand going to Laos, Mekong River is a fashionable route. This two days’ trip provides scenic pleasure and a stop by night in a spot. It is not routine for locals but is a must for travelers.
After sometime if you get rid of enthusiastic travelers chats you start to turn inwards. The scenery makes the same hypnotic effect as the long bus trips and you start journeys in your mind, At the end of the day, it is different part of the world that is practically unknown in the so called civilized world, and may be phrased as off the beaten track.
Age is something…
Time is a very crucial concept. Over time, everything changes. We count the days, weeks, months and years. It brings something to us. That “something” depends on your wit and perception. If you are following the forced routines in your life, you may miss it or worse you may say “I managed!”. But there is one thing which is not questionable, it changes us. Whether we accept or not, time is the teacher. As a student you pass or fail, it depends on you but time counts…
Destination…
One of my friends says a Laozi quote: “Going on means going far; going far means returning.”
Feeling…
My Yoga master says “Try to feel what you do. Duration is not an issue. Focus on what you feel while you are practicing.” His wisdom is my word for anything in life.
Time…
Time is yours. Use or do not use it, every second counts.
The destination or journey is just your understanding, perception, culture, belief, seeking etc.
Last words…
I have been trying to practice Yoga for more than three years and I traveled intensively for more than six years. If you ask me “What did you learn at the end of the day?” my answer would be very easy. But I won’t share it with you, it is purely my feeling. But I may give you a hint. I learned to not to try to teach anything to anyone.
This is your movie. You make it. Off the beaten path or in your way.
With my kind regards.
Bu haberin/makalenin tamamı ya da bir kısmı kaynak gösterilmeden yayımlanamaz. Kaynak gösterilse dahi aktif link verilerek kullanılabilir. Kaynak göstermeden ve aktif link vermeden yayımlayanlar hakkında yasal işlem başlatılır.