Everytime I call home and talk to mum and dad, I sense that they are really disappointed in me; "why couldn't our son be 'normal' like others?" must be swimming in their heads. I also know for a fact that they are ashamed to tell their friends their son is a wanderer, a bum. My having travelled to over 40 countries, lived in some of them, had experienced that most people only dreamt or read about, etc mean nothing to them. In the beginning, I longed for them to appreciate and recognise what I am doing, I wanted them to be proud of me. But I know that that would never be the case and I had also grown to accept the fact that I will always be the black sheep of the family. And now I carry this title proudly without a tinge of regret nor disappointment. I have come to let go of living up to people's expectations.
A lot of people have said to me that what I am doing is admirable, a lot of them wished they could do it too. In the beginning I used to say to them "Do it! If I can, you can too." But then I realised that we are all different, we find our happiness in very different ways. For some, the freedom on the road could be more of a burden, we were never taught how to deal with such a freedom so most of us are lost when we encounter it. And I guess that's why we sometimes live vicariously through the adventures of others.
In November, I was interviewed almost at the same time by 2 different persons. First was a journalist for a spanish newspaper, El Mundo, whom I met 3 times in our journeys through South America.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/11/29/sudamerica/1259503623.html (in spanish)
Second was by a very good friend who has started his own website for independent-minded travellers.
http://gomadnomad.com/2009/12/28/interview-with-an-international-nomad/
Both articles are now published and I have had my *insert apropriate number of minute* of fame. And I think and hope that both are being recieved positively, maybe through these others can live vicariously through me. But hopefully they inspire them to think and reexam their life. To stop saying "I wish I could do that," instead really take the first step in a following their dreams, like I did 6 years ago.
When I was leaving home, I had a long conversation with one of my then good friend. He told me that he dreamt of leaving a legacy behind when he dies, however "nothing is so common as the wish to be remarkable." I only dream of having as much experience I can get out of this life as possible and leave as lightly as I have arrived. From dust I came and to dust I shall return.
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