Sunday 13 March 2016

Why travel?

When I was working, a lifetime ago now (or so it feels), if a young person absconded the first question we asked ourselves was: had he or she run away from something, or run towards something. It is a crude distinction and masks complexities, but it was a start - we needed to begin to understand the behaviour if we were to find the young person and keep him or her safe.

Now, as a traveller, I'm asked a comparable question. Why do I do it? Why launch into the unknown when I could sit about comfortably at home.

And the answer, honestly, is that I don't care why I do it - I just love it. But, as that isn't enough for some people, I will try to unpick it a little.

I do run away from British winters. Those living in the north will think I'm utterly wimpish, complaining about southern winters. And they are fully justified to do so - our rain and wind and snow is feeble compared with the weathers they have to go out it. But I just hate the cold and the dark and the endless grey days. If I can escape them, then I will.

But I am also running towards the new and the different. When I get there, I don't just lie around in the sun. I explore city streets. I puff up mountains. I elbow my way through crowds in markets just to smell the cinnamon, run my fingers along silk scarves. I stare at animals that I thought only existed on the telly. I eat food I can't identify. I talk to people with new stories to tell.

And then I come home. Friends and family - who have kept the show on the road at home, looked after my house, trudged to school or work through wind and rain with barely a grumble - welcome me back and if they are envious they show it only fleetingly. Some even manage to look at my photographs without glazing over.

Does that begin to explain it? And you - what is it about the things you love doing that gets under your skin?

8 comments:

  1. If I could escape the winter, I would go travelling at the same time, Jo, but that's not all is it? You mentioned the curiosity for new and different things on my blog, and that's me too. That's why I do it, and the more different it is from what I am used to, the more fascinating I find it. I would love to go where you have been, but that isn't possible. Nevertheless, there are wonderful new discoveries within a day's drive from here, and for that, I am very grateful. Keep travelling, Jo! And keep writing about it too, because that's another thing - I love to read about your world wanderings!

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    1. I shall certainly keep travelling, Val - and I don't care why!

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  2. You travel because you enjoy it. Why should you need to explain? I like to travel, too, although I usually go to less exciting places. I dance, too, because I enjoy dancing.

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    1. Ah, dancing - no better thing to do just because you love it!

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  3. You either are or are not a traveller. Martyn is. Like you he'd love to take off to see different parts of the world. He doesn't worry about hotel rooms, lack of loos, noise at night, sleeping in a strange bed...all the things that I worry about and that keep me her in these four walls.You remind me of all those intrepid Victorian ladies who, defying social conventions, set off with sun bonnet and Baedecker to see the world. xx

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    1. They were much braver than I am, Carol! I have a trusty Lonely Planet and the likes of Tika to help me on my way. They stepped into a real unknown!

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  4. I think it is hard to explain it whichever way you choose. If I could travel more I would do it. You're lucky to do it, enjoy it without asking why. It just is. Simple as that. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  5. I am often torn between wanting to travel and wanting to stay at home. If I do the latter for too long, though, I get restless. That's as far as I can analyse it! :D

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