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South out of Memphis, long-toads evenin'. my first time alone. nose to the bus window, a rural two-story house, set back, sheer curtains, between me and the honest life within.. Mississippi plates on the truck. Think of myself mouselike in a tapestry armchair next to the knitting hamper. I watch and listen. Upstairs I hear John-R on a soft radio. A man Ahems, I read in The Gennamin Fahmer . . .she says Sakes alive, shifts a few table item, a red candy dish, so the house can sleep in orderly peace. Footsteps go from linoleum to stair runner to crickets to whippoorwill, and nobody says it, ever. "We're in Mississippi. Clem!" Nope. It's the elephant in every room in the world. You know you're there, an unspoken truth, noboty ever says it.. Just on the plates.
The tingling thrill of travel comes when you break your own silence, and name the elephant.
Those of you who travel at your own expense, on your own time -- what, in your gut and heart and soul, leads you to travel?
Moi, I learned to read phonetically reading the names of places on maps. When I got my first stamp collecting kit, I dove in head first. There was no place to go but -- everywheere.
1. For the excitement of something new & unexpected (no matter how much I read about my destination and plan the trip, it is ALWAYS different when I get there! Like falling in love, it cannot be expected or planned - it is just a new experience given to me)
2. Because I know I'll have profound memories of it
3. Because of the "fear of missing out" on something interesting - that's why I have a bucket list of travels, although the best travel experiences always come unexpectedly, and usually do not involve majorly popular sights, but simple details in some different place
As an American, I have become exceedingly annoyed with American politics so I will freely admit, travel has become an temporary escape from the hatred and division. Yup, good old fat, entitled, spoiled and angry America. I’d like to collectively take all the SJWs and dump them abroad to see real ISM violations instead of the minimal problems we have here in the States.
I agree with the first two sentences of your post, but the final sentence is quite one-sided. There are plenty of entitled and divisive people on both ends of the spectrum who could benefit from a reality check.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pete98146
As an American, I have become exceedingly annoyed with American politics so I will freely admit, travel has become an temporary escape from the hatred and division. ....
As an American you are privileged to 'escape' as often as you like. I make it a point to be gone every 4 yrs (major election years), but... most people you meet internationally are more inquisitive, knowledgeable, and engaged in USA politics that your USA neighbor.
Politics / National and personal security is a good reason to travel. You might be hard pressed to find a more angry society than in USA (at the moment).
As an American you are privileged to 'escape' as often as you like. I make it a point to be gone every 4 yrs (major election years), but... most people you meet internationally are more inquisitive, knowledgeable, and engaged in USA politics that your USA neighbor.
80% of the world population seems to support liberals or Democrats in U.S. politics.
If you are not of liberal political persuasion yourself, then you will not like to hear what they have to say.
Real life is too mundane.. You need something to look forward to cure this daily burnout. Traveling is at the top of list of things that help me remain sane by creating memories..
In China in '96, I wen to a special ATT phon, to ask the operator who won the election, which was unreported on local media. She also knew who won the Worl Series. Travel is a good way to get away.
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