Map of Mind Log★脈絡地圖

2007-03-28 11:35 / WhenD Stanley

We can see how popular travel is according to famous TV programs. In the Discovery family, there is a channel called “travel and living”. It’s a channel that lets people experience the beauty of life, and there are several programs like “Fun Taiwan”, “Globe Trekker”, “5 Takes”, “Six Degrees”, and so on. By the way, there are series about Taipei and Kaohsiung in Six Degrees program in this weekend. I’m so envious of those who serve as the presenter of the program or travel journalists because they can visit many countries in the process of transcription without travel expenses. As you know, the biggest part of traveling expenses is transportation.

No wonder the “magic door” of Doraemon is so attractive, you can go everywhere as you want, just go through the door and see the whole world. The fast pass could cut down expenses but lose the expectation. However, there is no such treasure in the world. That is to say you have to pay an amount of money for expenses but gain the power of your whole new life in the future. Although only some occupations, like writer, photographer, fashion designer, and so forth can transform what they see and experience into the resources that help them in their work. Other people then, have new perspectives of the world.

Most of us may like to travel and have different definition and understanding of travel. Henry Miller said that One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things. We can compare different things far from our original place and get more realization. Paul Tournier mentioned that the real meaning of travel, like that of a conversation by the fireside, is the discovery of oneself through contact with other people, and its condition is self-commitment in the dialogue. We may get rid of the limit between other people and us, and try to approach strangers due to no familiars there. Marcel Proust said the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. And Anais Nin said “we travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls”. Then what’s your definition of travel and what kind of distance from your home to the destination belonging to travel? Should we go to other districts in Taiwan or have to go overseas? From my opinion, the distance isn’t to the point. When you believe that you are on a journey then there you are! Life is a journey.  

Around where you live

Could you recollect of your recent travel? You went somewhere, ate special food, gazed beautiful clothing, and experienced different life. “CommonWealth” as Taiwan's most influential business magazine, held an activity soliciting articles about travel in Taiwan. The activity not only encouraged people to find the beauty of Taiwan and to share cheer with other people, but also reminded us to care where we live. Gilbert K. Chesterton said the whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land. You may be surprise to find something funny when you are traveling, but you mostly neglect others in your life. You won’t forget to shoot cypress against the light but always tread on anonymous flowers in front of your house. What happen to you? Travel isn’t something that you do in the leisure time, but your mindset determines everything. Life is indeed a journey.

Though tourism brings income, the growth of the airline industry becomes one cause of the Greenhouse effect. Since traveling expenses are high and the pollution may harm our health and affect the weather. How about being a backpacker? Jean Jacques Rousseau said in “The Confessions”, I am unable to reflect when I am not walking: the moment I stop, I think no more, and as soon as I am again in motion my head resumes its workings. If we walk over leisurely instead of riding in a carriage, we can slow our pace and observe what we meet. Enjoy our life but not all in a rush. Raise your hands, breath the fresh air, and make the plan of your next travel.

I like to travel, not because the trends make me so. Travel can let us know our position as much psychological as geographical. Take your bag and walk through the door, and you will be a traveler in life.