The Internationalist
Petervz
The Internationalist
Wanderlust. It's hard to describe to people that don't have it. It starts usually somewhere innocent. Like reading a book set in a far away place, a passion for a cuisine, bedtime stories and of course the usual predator. Watching too much of the National Geographic Channel. How do you put to words that sharing a dorm with rowdy Irishmen, swatting bugs out of your tent, different coloured cocktails and the exchange of exotic diseases are all apart of growing up to be a man (or an Internationalist). They don't seem to understand that my idea of a holiday isn't a week in Phuket or Bali, but more than that. Its that time of the year I get to spend away from my desk, away from the all consuming screen that enslaves me to do its wicked bidding. I feel that getting away to all those far away places gives me a better understanding to how people differ. With that, I can walk away with something more than just memories and stories to tell my grandchildren. More than anything it's time away from work.
I've always been blessed with having traveled alot when I was younger. With British parents and being born in South East Asia, I was always lead to believe that travel was the norm not the exception. Having to go back and forth for this new visa, or settling into a new apartment and school so Dad could avoid paying tax next for the full financial year. Its not this seemed to be out of place for me or any of the other kids I went to school with, simply the norm. When I immigrated to Australia I found that this wasn't the norm at all. And most people grow up with only going to Bali or Phuket once or twice every few years. Its a sad sorry state of affairs I'm afraid.
It wasn't till I was older that I learnt to truly appreciate the wanderlust that had taken root in my gut. I couldn't watch a show or read a book without wanting to go there. Something had to be done. I couldn't keep on living without seeing that sunset, or drinking that special cocktail, shaked my money maker at the country's biggest music festival. Or done what-ever it is that enables me to say "Done that". Its the one great arrogant indulgence I take time to enjoy. You have to be careful though, you don't want to be one of those annoying 'story toppers'. I don't think there's anything worse than indulging your friends in a tale only to have someone go "Yeah exact same thing happened to me but I was too busy carrying wounded orphans across the border to notice".... Yup, were all thinking it, you twat.
I've only recently decided to put my opinions/thoughts/general ramblings onto the written word. So alot of the travelling I've done prior to this might have to be put away. A chapter dedicated to remembrance and the things that aren't as easy to remember. Hmm.... could be a title to my travel dairies. Ha!
To be continued