Vagabonding

It's about time I get some thoughts out into the virtual world. It may seem like feel-good nonsense but traveling has taught me so much already.

1) "Looking up"
In Toronto, I generally "looked down" while walking. I was always on a mission, on a schedule.. I never looked around much further than what I already knew and was comfortable with. Now that I am always somewhere I've never been, I have adopted a method of "looking up". When I'm in a new city I'm constantly looking up and around in wonder at all the amazing details of things around me.

2) Being lost is alright.. and in fact, pretty good.
Oh language barriers and unfamiliar grounds. I find myself lost probably half the time I step outside the door. I have become very accustomed to not knowing where I am. I've met plenty of people and seen so many incredible things while being lost. From this, I have gained more patience and flexibility. Buses break down, money gets lost, things really don't go as planned, but hell, who needs a plan. Half the fun of the travel is the aesthetic of lostness.

3) People are generally good.
This point was inspired by a travel blog I've been following. There are most likely a handful of people that are afraid of the world beyond their door, yet the vast majority of humans are not thieves, murderers or rapists. Of course there is an enormous diversity of people on the planet but they, for the most part, all have a unanimous goal as we do.

4) I pretty much only need my backpack.
I left 95% of the things I own in a storage container in Toronto. I probably have two dozen items of clothing, a handful of cameras and books, a cellphone and a laptop. That's it and it feels like plenty. I really wouldn't mind bringing my kitty along though...

5) Always carry your own toilet paper
Most toilets in the world don't have a roll of toilet paper handy. In fact they are mostly filthy. (Don't worry, I haven't given up my mantra: "the world is your bathroom").

6) Food is a delicious teacher
Of course it's the best best best part of traveling for me but local food does a great job at telling the story of a city's culture. The ingredients. Methods of cooking. Distinct smells. Mmm...
 
Life gets real when you really displace yourself.


xo
em