19. Epilogue: An inspired pantheon, wintertime gondolas, and what this has meant to me.

I've been back in Canada for 6 weeks. In retrospect, my trip feels like the greatest thing I've done in a long time, and the least important thing in my world. It was great because I saw, tasted, felt and experienced so many fascinating and wonderful people, places and things, most of which I couldn't have possibly predicted. It was discovery, learning and adventure at their finest, and I felt truly alive. I should just stick with this view! But it also feels 'meaningless' because the world I returned to hasn't changed because of it, and my experiences have possibly pulled me even farther away from mainstream life (9-to-5 employment, Western social expectations, routine goal-oriented activities) and this gap doesn't make me happy.

Friendly in-laws of family I stayed with in Vetralla on my return, 2-week stopover in Italy.

Me and Reggiaro. Succulent, olive-oil-dripped secondi followed by roasted chestnuts, all with fine Italian vino of course.

The Pantheon, Rome, with a most amazing dome structure rebuilt by inspirational Emperor Hadrian.

What I'd like to think is that I can build from here, to seek a) a partner to share my life with (and any potential next trip), because I think that would be even more gratifying, and b) find more meaningful, inspiring work (my trip reinforced that there are much more important things to me than income, and helping companies make money). So I guess what I'm saying is, it's done. The trip is over. Yes I will cherish and draw from it for the rest of my life (as I have with my trip through Africa at 24), but that it's finished, and I have no choice but to focus on the present and what comes next, as we all do. I can't 'rest on the laurels' of traveling, nobody's listening John, you are what you are today, not then.

Vineyard where you refill your bottles from selection of wines costing for about $1,50 per litre. Oh, I came back here a few times.

Trying to look Italian, in the land where they make Prosecco, and have clear carafes of it on restaurant tables like water.

Finally made it to Venice!

For what it's worth, I encourage anyone reading this to also leap when you have the chance. I believe whole-heartily that when you're old and grey, you're more likely to regret not having traveled or taken a chance (in life, in love), than to have played it safe and been 'efficient' (in work, in living). Relish experiences and people, not things and acquisition: you will be 'richer', not poorer.

La Piazza San Marco.

Finally, I would like to finish by expressing gratitude for the opportunity I had to do this trip. In no small way, I able to thanks in part to the support of my family & friends (you) who encouraged me and cared as I blogged about my travels. Your support is meaningful to me. As much 'work' as it was to maintain, I really enjoyed sharing with you through this blog. Maybe that's a contradiction (to say no one is listening and also thank you for listening), but the trip confirms for me, among other things, that there are no absolutes (standards) in the world, that value is relative, and that I am comfortable - even MOST comfortable - having conflicting, human emotions which together, keep me inspired and growing and interesting and moving forward. And you know what? This makes me happy!

Namaste,

John

Idle, wintertime gondolas, waiting for someone to give them purpose.

2. Final checklist

The last few days have been consumed with last minute preparations.  I double- and triple- checked my lists, and "assembled" my gear, adding medicines to my medical kit, stuffing clothes into a dry-sack, putting shampoo in small camping containers, etc.  

It looks like this before everything goes in the bag, and amazingly everything fits to about 85% capacity, so I have room along the way.  The pack loaded down is lighter than I expected (20 Kg?), although the carry-on daypack is another 5+. This with full medical kit, 6 Canada maple leaf T-shirts to give to new friends, electronics, scrapbook stuff, and the heavy packages of pencils a friend suggested I bring as a gift to village schools (although Me-to-We said they prefer action to handouts - I'm hedging my bets).  My hiking boots are probably the heaviest but they're on me for travel. See packing list if you'd like details.

I'm leaving my loved ones behind. Adventure beckons. Time to get on the plane.

1. Preparing to be uncomfortable

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. 

     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.

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.

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?

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!

OK, back to packing.