Airport Musings
“One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that.”
As I sit at the Atlanta Airport waiting for my flight to Santiago, Chile and beyond, there is a myriad of thoughts crossing my mind.
The first is privilege. Travel is an experience accessible to only a few in the world. Almost half the U.S population alone lives below the poverty line. Some who immigrate to the U.S can never leave in fear of deportation. Some who come from other countries want to stay, but cannot. Some work three jobs with five mouths to feed. Some work grueling hours just to be able to afford rent. Some hold jobs as teachers, social workers, doctors, lawyers, etc., and are not able to take much time off. Not to mention, non-U.S or EU passport holders do not have the option of going anywhere they please. There are many people who only ever dream of traveling to far off places.
When thinking about myself in this equation, I hesitate to say I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. Sure, I’ve made freelance writing a career for myself. I’ve held fast and strong to my passion for travel and my desire to see the world whilst making a living, and in some ways, that has become my reality in the present. But had I not had a support system to fall back on, had I not known that if I did not succeed I would still have a roof over my head and food on the table, I couldn’t have done it. Had I not used the connections of friends and family to get work, I may never have gotten here.
What I mean is to be able to dream and ideate and dedicate time to discovering and growing is a privilege. To travel the world basking in new experiences is a privilege. I don’t ever want to forget that.
I have this notion that I will discover a truer and deeper side of myself and of the world during my travels through South America. I dream of making travel a larger part of my everyday existence, of making it more accessible, of highlighting the stories of people around the world, of writing to educate and inspire. I think this may give me a window on how to get there. In the name of this notion, I am taking a jaunt to another continent…To some, this seems unnecessary. Perhaps, they would suggest I start smaller.
I have two follow up thoughts on that. The first is this: I have only ever learned and grown softer through travel. If nothing else I leave with a broader perspective and memories to carry with me. And the second: When we discover what it is that takes us outside of our own limiting beliefs about the world and ourselves, that shows us how to be present, patient, and kind, to be free of the burdens of constant striving and rehashing, I think it is our right and our duty to chase it.
My dad likes to tell me that I “don’t live in reality.” Not in an undermining way. He means it more in the sense that I see the world differently than he does. I’ve always gotten upset and defensive when he’s said that to me. I know, now, that he grew up in a different time. One where “freelancing” was not a thing and “work from home” seemed absolutely ludicrous.
I read a quote by Joseph Campbell a little while back that summed up my thoughts in a beautiful expression.
“One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that.”
I believe in the necessity of the things that flower our humanity. Not just in my own life, but in life itself. I could go into a long tangent listing all of the ways that society keeps us from doing this, of a world so technologically connected yet so emotionally disconnected, of a digression from what is true and good.
What connects me most to my humanity? What humbles me and inspires me? It’s travel, writing and reading, trying new things, and sharing stories. It’s that simple. I am not going to find something. I am going because travel allows me to step outside of myself and be fully present, untethered to all the conventions, aware of the harmonious beauty and chaotic darkness of the world, more willing to listen. I recognize that not everyone can dedicate as much time as I do to finding those things that light them up, that I do not have as much on the line, but the fact that I have this opportunity, to me, means that it is even more integral to go for it.
Backpacking through South America is an unoriginal idea. I am not the first. I will not be the last. I am not doing anything noteworthy, not riding my bike from the US to Patagonia, not free soloing El Chalten. Yeah, there are risks with solo travel. Almost as many risks as taking to the highway in the US.
Not learning Spanish in depth beforehand, having an extremely loose plan, mapping the W Trek on my own, not meeting people to travel with on the road; these are the things I’m worried about. THESE ARE THE THINGS I’M WORRIED ABOUT… How incredibly grateful I feel at this moment that beyond that, I do not have to worry much at all.
This blog is meant to be less about me (that’s what they all say…SIGH) and more about the people that I meet along the way. Stay tuned for that.
