I seem to operate from this place that says that travel is a must do. It is not okay to stay in your comfort zone at home when there are places to go and people to see. If you look at the magazines while waiting in the checkout line, they are all about the places you MUST visit or the resorts that will save your marriage or the towns that will recharge you and make you willing to go to work the rest of the year. If you visit FaceBook, so many of the posts are about, "Look! Here I am in Atlanta!" or "Waiting to board in Dallas! Off to the Galapagos!" or 'Whew! What a fabulous trip to Morocco! Can't wait to tour downtown Salt Lake City next year!" Travel, travel , travel - it is what adventurous people do. It is what cool people do. It is what you are supposed to do.
Don't get me wrong. I have seen Europe, Asia, and South America. I love to wander around iconoclastic big cities - NYC, Boston, Seattle, Portland, Washington DC. I do enjoy getting out of my comfort zone and learning and expanding my horizons. Just in my own way. I've been thinking about two types of travel: inner and outer travel. These days I am especially intrigued with inner travel. The places I go in my head are fascinating and often very real to me. I generally go to these places at night or when painting or writing. These journeys are not the kind of thing one typically posts on FaceBook
or gushes about when standing around the water cooler with coworkers. They are, however, exciting places. Inner travel can be highly unpredictable, relatively inexpensive and can open doors you didn't even know were there. Outer travel is the more obvious travel route - the kind of travel that is concrete and measurable. The kind that involves passports, TSA agents, money, novelty in surroundings and people. The kind that the culture says is cool and essential. The kind of travel that people should do in order to live a rich life and to fully experience the world .
So what kind of travel do you prefer? It doesn't have to be a black and white thing - it can be a little of both. Have you recently traveled somewhere? Was it inner or outer travel? Got plans?
Although I would love to travel, it's not something I judge how fulfilling my life is. (If so, I would have the most pathetic life ever!!). I've been all over the U.S., and I have been to Venezuela. But I think my most favorite place of all is home - boring, but that's me :)
ReplyDeleteEver travel in the inner world of dreams and creativity? You can do that and stay home at the same time!
DeleteTwelve of the most memorable days I ever spent were in Ireland. There were highs and lows. Travel of the inner variety I am well-acquainted with. That's where all my short stories come from. Nice post, Sistah Jeanie! We should try to put our trip to Warp's back on the front burner. Do you suppose it is sunny there?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is sunny in Redding - thing is, she is working non stop - yuck.
DeleteWhy does she have to work? Maybe she will just stop if we come and visit...
DeleteWe are planning to go to South Korea this fall! Can't wait. I lived there for two months in grad school and did a lot of both inner and outer travel. It will be fun to go back :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I lived there for six months but way back in 1976 -- pivotal time in my life.
DeleteHa1 Ha! I "lived" there for 16 months in 1972-73. "The Land of the Morning Calm." If you have been there and want to return, then that means you probably enjoyed your stay the first time. Happy Trails!
DeleteI did enjoy it, very much.. Learned a lot about myself and about the US, in addition of course to learning about Korea. :)
DeleteI’ve thought a lot about getting away from it all, especially lately. I suppose I start out with inner travel, imagining myself, for instance peacefully sitting a cabin lakeside porch. I don’t like to plan things. I am more of a spur of the moment type of person.
ReplyDeleteIn fact Ross is trying to convince me to go away for a few days. The cabin in the woods may be replaced by a room at the Marriott, though :)
But I know you have inner travel adventures and escapades -- dreams with Joe, for instance?
DeleteDue to lack of funds, I'm more of an inner traveler, but I think I prefer going on outer trips more. I can't remember the last time I took a vacation that was purely for a vacation and not for visiting a family member. I'd love to go to the UK for starters. My passport expired last year and I didn't renew it. I would probably have to do that. And get a job or sell my book so I actually have funds to take that vacation.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you do a fair amount of inner travel. Although you may prefer outer travel, you must admit that inner is cheaper (usually).
DeleteHow I have missed reading your blog. So glad I stopped in today. Yes, inner travel is something I do every day both waking and sleeping.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love traveling to faraway places, budget and family obligations have prevented that in the last few years. So even a day trip has taken on more meaning and excitement. I don't have to go "far" to get faraway.
Love that crazy foot sculpture!
Your paintings in the last post are spectacular. Love them!
Thank you, Melanie! I have missed your posts as well. The big foot was in Washington DC . I saw it when it was on the banks of the Potomac. It has since been moved to Maryland and installed at a national park there. Here's a link to a little more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_(sculpture)
DeleteThank you for your comments re: the paintings. That is a good chunk of my inner travel - that and dreams filled most recently with earthquakes, rowdy 7th grade boys, little boys leaping from pew to pew in a church when I was captive -- and so much more! Interesting trips.
My travel is usually limited to the inner workings of our country. We love a summer adventure of exploring new back roads and seeing new things. I guess I'm more about outer travel, but so far we can only afford local outer travel!
ReplyDeleteOh, but local outer travel can be very sweet. I live in a part of the country that people choose to come to on vacation! I am so fortunate in that respect. There are many pleasant back roads (for biking and driving) and even rivers, lakes and an ocean. Oh no, don't knock local travel!
DeleteI've traveled a good deal in Concord. HDT. He's the master of inner travel, and that's why I love his work. thanks for a great reflection on travel!
ReplyDeleteMy little guy and I just returned from visiting my sister in Idaho. We toured Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with her and it was fabulous. I think my favorite part was the Chapel of the Transfiguration in the Grand Tetons. The altar of the church had a picture window through which you can see the mountains - so very beautiful and spiritual. It has stuck with me and inspired many "re-visits" through the inner travel you mention.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we get to do both, outer and inner travel. On July 3rd I am leaving for Delhi via London. The whole point of the outer travel is to get to the special feet of that person who can teach me how to do the inner travel. Now that is a journey worth taking because it supersedes time, space and mental limitations. If my inner travels are ever successful, I promise to let you know.... Thanks for the question!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering! I've observed the outcome of some of your inner travels - looks to me from the outside that your inner travels have been valuable for you!
DeleteDespite moving around a lot as a kid, I have never done more than tiptoe outside of the US (inched my way into Canada to an amusement park (that no longer exists) called Crystal Beach twice with my family as a kid. I am of two minds about the travel thing--I'm intrigued and fascinated on the one hand and terrified and, yes, lazy on the other. Then, of course, there's that pesky third hand--the hand that's utterly empty of any disposable cash.
ReplyDeleteInner travel on the other hand? So there. In fact, so FAR in there, someone should probably send a search party. ;)