What
Why
How
Who
Where
WHAT
In a week I leave for India, by way of Scotland and Italy. The last time I traveled, to Africa way back in 1987, I kept for myself a hand-written journal of notes, ticket stubs, beer labels, reflections and in situ sketches, etc. about what I discovered and learnt. It was personal, idiosyncratic, subjective, and creative. I liked that.
Now there are things like the Internet, email, camera-phones, and Facebook that demand constant communication, plus a wider circle of family and friends that expect updates. I'm ambivalent.
In a week I leave for India, by way of Scotland and Italy. The last time I traveled, to Africa way back in 1987, I kept for myself a hand-written journal of notes, ticket stubs, beer labels, reflections and in situ sketches, etc. about what I discovered and learnt. It was personal, idiosyncratic, subjective, and creative. I liked that.
Now there are things like the Internet, email, camera-phones, and Facebook that demand constant communication, plus a wider circle of family and friends that expect updates. I'm ambivalent.
But I will write and I promise you this: I'll try to be interesting.
WHY
This trip is not supposed to be a "holiday", as much as an adventure, a journey, an undefined quest. I kinda want to be uncomfortable, uneven - physically and emotionally. Maybe because I'm more comfortable spiritually this way. Wish me luck.
I want to be able to reflect on what I experience. I also want to share with people who are interested. I want to take advantage of "all mod comms", like my trusty tablet, while recognizing their discord with traditional and historical means of communication, which I think are generally more private and universal, less ubiquitous, less immediate, and both more and less permanent. Another one of the paradoxes of this trip.
It's possible some of what I write, being so far from what's familiar to me, to be contentious, so please don't judge. If you like to judge, please don't read.
This trip is not supposed to be a "holiday", as much as an adventure, a journey, an undefined quest. I kinda want to be uncomfortable, uneven - physically and emotionally. Maybe because I'm more comfortable spiritually this way. Wish me luck.
I want to be able to reflect on what I experience. I also want to share with people who are interested. I want to take advantage of "all mod comms", like my trusty tablet, while recognizing their discord with traditional and historical means of communication, which I think are generally more private and universal, less ubiquitous, less immediate, and both more and less permanent. Another one of the paradoxes of this trip.
It's possible some of what I write, being so far from what's familiar to me, to be contentious, so please don't judge. If you like to judge, please don't read.
HOW
I'll write notes in this blog, and I'll take pictures, some of which I'll post. I'll also bring a sketchbook and hopefully draw things that interest me visually along the way, and I'll also include some of these in posts.
I'll write notes in this blog, and I'll take pictures, some of which I'll post. I'll also bring a sketchbook and hopefully draw things that interest me visually along the way, and I'll also include some of these in posts.
WHO
Just me... at least to start. That wasn't the plan, but it is what it is. I'll be seeing a lot of Hadrian in Italy if not later. But I won't be alone: much more than monuments and relics, I look forward to being fascinated by the individuals I will meet, and that they might provide me with new histories, perspectives and opportunities. I'm staying in hostels wherever I can because meeting and traveling with people from around the world is one of the greatest things (for me, much better than the comfort, repetition and isolation of a generic hotel chain). We learn from and through others.
The promise of "kinetic friendships" is exciting to me, as is the concept of how this trip will presumably change who I am: it's strange to know change is coming, but you don't know what it will look like, you know?
Just me... at least to start. That wasn't the plan, but it is what it is. I'll be seeing a lot of Hadrian in Italy if not later. But I won't be alone: much more than monuments and relics, I look forward to being fascinated by the individuals I will meet, and that they might provide me with new histories, perspectives and opportunities. I'm staying in hostels wherever I can because meeting and traveling with people from around the world is one of the greatest things (for me, much better than the comfort, repetition and isolation of a generic hotel chain). We learn from and through others.
The promise of "kinetic friendships" is exciting to me, as is the concept of how this trip will presumably change who I am: it's strange to know change is coming, but you don't know what it will look like, you know?
WHERE
Places I plan to go to are on this Google map of my trip. If you select a location, to some I've added details like links to local weather, any major festival the place is known for and its date, and so on. I'll update the map as I travel. I'm as interested in remote landscapes as I am in busy bazaars, challenging terrain and unexpected encounters. May there be many!
Places I plan to go to are on this Google map of my trip. If you select a location, to some I've added details like links to local weather, any major festival the place is known for and its date, and so on. I'll update the map as I travel. I'm as interested in remote landscapes as I am in busy bazaars, challenging terrain and unexpected encounters. May there be many!
OK, back to packing.
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