I have been incredibly grateful to see some beautiful places around the globe. From the beautiful autumn tones of country NSW with the warmth of wood fires that soon follow, to the peaceful tropical gem of Kiribati, with the people making up for their small land mass with great smiles and welcoming hearts. And from the bedroom-sized pubs of Dublin to the Vatican, where even the rugs and lampposts are imbued with a sense of spirit.
For those who have been recurring readers (thank you), you may recall my diary entries of my travels to the UK with my brother. These have been experiences that have become the flint that strikes my wanderlust. I'm sure a lot of people here share this feeling; a little stirring that sits between your stomach and heart when someone mentions a famous landmark, a specific cuisine, an historical period or plane flight deals; we are willing to drop everything, fly away and be immersed in another part of this world.
Have we all got our tickets?
Let's go exploring!
I do admit it is easier sometimes to just waste away our weekends in bed, scrolling through food videos or celebrity interviews. But this is unbelievably boring. Do rest, when needed. But imagine spending the rest of your free days thumb-tacked to the sticky lounge or a springy bed. Game of thrones may be captivating for a moment, but I doubt in 40 years you will sit there thinking of the times you binged watched it across a week of the holidays whilst others were trekking through national parks or having brunch somewhere new everyday.
In normal day to day life, another way to explore is to... wait for it... actually have a conversation with a random person. Whether it's a customer at work, a shop assistant, uber driver, person next to you on the train, a simple chat can broaden your outlook. I've had many conversations that start with a comment on the weather, that I usually finish with 'oh well, we can't change it' and then turns to people's travel, heritage and where and what they recommend in the world.
I know it can be hard, but start by putting your phone down, making eye contact, smiling, then say hi!! Easy right??
Now if these levels seem a bit mediocre for some of you then a day or weekend trip away, may be another adventurous option. Pack a duffle bag with the essentials, book a hotel, hostel, motel, Airbnb, caravan, tent, swag or whatever for a couple of nights and jump in a vehicle and voila your trip has commenced. With this expedition I do recommend taking others with you, just so you know exactly what train to catch, have someone to talk to and you have another's toothpaste because you've forgotten yours. It's a profound experience being completely captivated by your surroundings. Turn off connections with the modern world, except a radio that plays some nostalgic tunes and simply sit beside the smouldering embers with a water's edge continually kissing the land in the distance. A book always helps aswell.Laughter is exponential, stress descends to nothingness.
And, I'll tell you the best part... lying down and gazing above to the crystals that dress the whole sky. The constellations start to tell stories when you read them enough. They speak the stories of many cultures and religions. A sparkling ceiling that you share with every being in the world.
In other news, I will cast out to you, that it is completely okay to create adventures all by yourself. Sometimes this is the best way to spark your thoughts and creativity. Explore cobblestone streets and market stalls without having to worry about talking too much, or not enough to the other people with you. Switch off the pop songs that blast through your earphones, and let your mind wander. Think of the people that once lived here, what did they do? what did they wear? How are we different? Could you live like this? Explore those quaint museums and second hand shops, wind around the river or climb to the tree canopies. Buy a random and unnecessary keyring or bobble-head. Take pictures but not too many, you want to experience these incredible places through your eyes not the manufactured lens of a camera.
Now, lastly, before I leave you all to go off to go crazy (in your adventures); my idea of an ultimate adventure is to go off and simply wander and explore, new and exciting places. You may have a different idea of adventure, but mine is to put on a pair of brown boots with worn laces, a pair of jeans and a jacket and stroll around the cobblestoned streets of other cities and countries. Following the cross layout of a Gothic Cathedral encircling the altar with a motley rainbow of stained glass windows and the whispers of visitors and worshippers. The climbing of hundreds of stairs to have a surrounding view of an ancient city or landscape. To hear and attempt to speak the language, whether French, Italian or another, waiting with baited breath to see if they understood you. Attempting cultural cuisines, like snails and local beer. Tasting and touching the snow of another continent. And as a self-confessed history obsessor, to transport myself to the past of the locals; imagining how a 12th century nun spends her days at Montecassino Abbey or the secrets spread in the castles of Medieval Scotland. The hundred year old terrace houses that capture like photographs, the stories of hope and heartbreak of those who lived in them. A constant period drama loops in my mind as I weave through these places that to some may be archaic, but to me are treasure troves of yesteryear.Keep in store for the next expedition which we will embark on the exploration of ourselves. Day to day doings of the mind; what enraptures and captivates us.
Even for you homebodies out there, try to get out and explore something different. Even if it starts with trying something different at your favourite restaurant or reading a different genre or getting the bus to the other side of town. It doesn't have to be a world wide travel journey (although that would be nice)...
It's all out there to be gazed upon. Make a promise to embark on your own exploration
