Every time I take a holiday I face the same dilemma. Plugged or unplugged? On the one hand, it feels great to unplug and get back to the simple things in life, the real things, like reading books, talking to my family, sitting in cafes watching the people go by. Going a whole week without a single email or text is amazing.
But it’s scary and hard, too. Because I’m soooooooooooooooo addicted. In the end, that knowledge is usually what helps me decide what to do. It’s because I’m addicted that I know my soul would benefit from a week unplugged.
The only catch is that my mom has internet. So if I get to jonesin’ badly enough, a fix is not far away.
Well, I guess that decides it, then. Now that I’ve put this out there for the whole world to read…
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Technology and cyberspace aside, I get a huge rush from traveling light. I love figuring out how to have all the real necessities right on my body so that even if my luggage is lost, I’ll be fine. When Olivia blogged about her Scottevest, I had fits of envy. I love the idea of being a sort of walking transformer. Maybe I should invent an outfit that converts into a sleeping bag and pillow with self-inflating air mattress built in.
There is a surreal cross-over feeling between waking reality and my dream life when I travel because I have for two decades or more had a repeating dream motif of being a traveler without baggage or anyplace to sleep. I don’t know if that goes back to the months I spent hitching Europe or what. Did that experience so brand itself in my psyche that I still dream about it? Or are my so-called “nomad” dreams about something else entirely?
Whatever it is, when I travel, I feel as if I’m stepping into my own dream.
Because travel has, for me, a sacred aspect to it, I like to get all my affairs in order before I leave. I clean my house, do my laundry, and finish all the things on my to-do list. I adore that feeling of total freedom, of knowing there is nothing waiting for me.
How do you feel when you travel? Do you have that feeling of excitement at venturing out into the unknown? Is there a feeling that–potentially–anything could happen?
Having achieved escape velocity transcending my orbit, I bask in newness, openness and receptivity suddenly easy in the face of the new to me. Obligations reduced to that of simple human I am relieved, though objectively noticing a subliminal anxiety, i.e., there is something I should be doing. For this reason it takes me a day or two to fully relax into holiday mode.
I yearn for those “out of the way” places where one can just be; somewhere to take in the scenery, relax, let the brain really empty itself, and then have time to soak up what our planet has to offer in minute detail.
I always sum it up by saying that when I’m in Florida if a sign says “Turn right for Disney”, I turn left towards the Everglades.
The most inspiring place I ever found was a small, remote lodge on a lake in deepest Labrador; 100 miles from the nearest human being, clinging to the edge of existence, and totally, totally, silent.
My “travel dream” is to spend the winter there, alone save for the occasional “food drop” by parachute, and to make a video diary until the return of the osprey in spring.
Food drops by parachute!!! Wow! I also turned toward the Everglades. Aren’t they beautiful? K
You reminded me of Rolf Potts’ recent trip around the world, bringing just a few things he could carry in his pockets. http://www.rtwblog.com/
I think a lot about not having or bringing stuff. At home and travelling. When I boil it down, I think it’s really a pure urge to be SOUL (without the weight and distractions of earthly life and gravity).
I never leave without the house in order either. So lovely to return to everything in order.
Ah of course! His blog is sponsored by Scotte Vest. That’s cool. You really put it very succinctly when you said “a pure urge to be SOUL.” That’s it. K