An attempt to answer the question “Why do you travel?” & a film
The other day, a friend asked me “But why do you travel?”. Seems like a very easy and simple question, right? But there I was, searching all around my mind for some kind of answer and finding none that were ready-made. The question caught me by surprise, and there was no answer that seemed satisfying enough.
I think when travelling long-term, to the point that it’s the thing you spend most of your time doing in life, surrounded by people doing the same, makes it seem like the logical, normal thing to do. But when I was asked outside of that context, I was unprepared to philosophise it— something that usually I am very guilty of doing while on the road.
Someone said “Because you have fun?”. I thought for a moment, and I said “No, that’s not it. I mean fun can be a part of it, but it’s not the reason.” I thought of all the times I was uncomfortable on the back of a truck going dangerously fast, feeling the wind on my face, or the smell of sleeping on some stranger’s floor surrounded by cat pee and all kinds of insects, or saying yes to a jungle stroll in the middle of the night without really considering the risks. There is always an element of fun to the adventure and adrenaline, but the main thing all scenarios have in common is: they make you feel alive.
When you travel, you feel like you are closer to where life is. Whatever that means. You connect with people and places in ways you never thought possible, always surprised by what this world has to offer. And when you travel slowly, you often have the chance to explore these more profoundly, more gently, more respectfully. You understand what goes on behind what meets the eye, you get a bit closer to almost living another life— many, in fact.
So this is what I seek. All these feelings that arise from being in many different situations that you have never even imagined yourself in. All the conversations with people you never knew existed, modes of transport you’ve never even heard of, an explosion of the senses in a new place.
I’m on a journey exploring this feeling, this passion — and maybe, along the way, I’ll learn to answer that question a little better.