We met some friends for breakfast a few days ago. Good friends that we have traveled with in the past, and hope to again in the future. We talked about numerous subjects such as the Thanksgiving just past, kids, football, etc. Soon the conversation moved to travel and where we all might go together. As I outlined our plans for the next three months, our friend just smiled and said she had a story for me.
She said that she was reading a very good book, titled “Life is a Trip”. Authored by the travel writer, Judith Fein. She went on to say that in the foreword of the book, Judith writes that she “lived to leave”. She said that when she read those three words, she immediately thought of me.
I told her that I took that as a compliment, and we joked about it for a minute or so, then moved on to other things.
Since that time, I’ve thought a lot about the phrase, “I live to leave”. Is that a negative or positive thing? Am I to be considered impaired in some way, just because I would rather be someplace else? Someplace else being somewhere I’ve never been before, or even someplace I’m very familiar with and like to return to on occasion.
What makes me live to leave? Was it all the books I read as a child, of places near and far, that lit the fire? Is it the same wanderlust that the pioneers of days past were driven by? Is it a love of history, and wanting to see and experience just a tiny bit of what might be left there? I don’t know, but all those and much more must play a part.
I do know that the statement fits me. If I don’t have plans to leave, I am miserable. Those plans can be a day, week, or month away, but there must be plans. Without them, things are chaotic at our house. Even when we’re on the road, I’m planning to leave, to experience what’s “over there”.
Thankfully, I have a spouse that understands, somewhat. She has become accustomed to my quest for something. Something that isn’t wherever I happen to be. Will I ever find it? Probably not, at least in this life.
But, I will keep looking. As long as I’m able, and Wanda agrees, we’ll have “plans to leave”….jc
Oh, I love this. It explains that uncomfortable feeling of waiting. . .for something somewhere. We apparently have the same Gypsy gene as you. Any chance of you making it to Q this year?
ReplyDeleteNo matter where I'm at, I always am looking ahead to the next place too. Must be a disorder of some sort? ;)
ReplyDeleteIn my case it is the journey that is the object not the location. It can also be stated as living to leave it seems to me. Moving around has enhanced my life so much it is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I bet many of us travelers can relate…I know I can! There is so much to see and do…and planning is half the fun!
ReplyDeleteThat phrase describes my dear little Grandmother to a "t" and its probably where I developed my case of wanderlust! It was always a family joke, Grandma kept her suitcase packed all the time and if someone said, "go" she was ready.
ReplyDeleteJerry, I suffer from the same disorder. :)
ReplyDeleteI think all of the travel and adventure books as a child contributed to it. But what made me love those books so much? Maybe it's genetic. I think my Dad had some Gypsy blood from a couple of centuries ago.
All I know is that the thought of staying in one place makes me seriously depressed.
You have just conveyed in your blog post the very same affliction that I have. If I am home, I'm thinking and planning of being away. If I'm on a trip, I'm already thinking ahead to the next one. If I am home and there is no trip on the horizon, I'm out of sorts. There's just so much good stuff out there to see and experience, and not enough time to do it all. Must get on the road!
ReplyDeleteYou aren't alone. The first question most people ask me is "So where's your next trip?" I like being out and about. I like the freedom and independence of travel, and the experiencing the experiences. Jim (of Jim & Alice) told me that they're not happy unless they have at least three trips in their queue, so many of us relate to what you wrote!
ReplyDeleteIt seems you formed a club for "Wandering Souls".....We all seem to have somewhat the same DNA....Thanks for being able to articulate so clearly...I printed it off and gave it to my Lovely Bride who does not understand or appreciate the addiction... :) Take care and may we all meet at the "Wanderlust" watering hole this coming year...Horst sends
ReplyDeleteWe share the same affliction.....nice to know that so many out there totally understands! We are not alone, not unique and not crazy! We just have experienced a higher quality of life...one that many will never know.
ReplyDeleteWe are currently experiencing some medical challenges and hope everything will smooth out so we can get on the road in a couple of weeks. See you "out there".
Perfect! No matter how much I love where I am at any given time, my favorite part of living full-time on the road is making the plans for the next place. So happy you posed these questions for us all to ponder. I sometimes think the rambling drive is so deep it must be genetic. Some of us must be more strongly connected to our nomadic roots. Or maybe it's a reflection of the reality proposed by quantum physics - everything, down to the tiniest non-particles, is in motion.
ReplyDelete