I’ve become some kind of traveling salesman or paid wanderer, both blessed and doomed to travel this world until I can’t anymore. Funny what happens when your dreams come true.
My pal A.A. Gill once suggested that the older he gets, and the more he travels, the less he knows. And I know what he means now. Seeing the planet as I’m seeing it, you are constantly reminded of what you don’t know – how much more there is to see and learn, how damn big and mysterious this world is. It’s both frustrating and addicting, which only makes it harder when you visit, say, China for the first time, and realize how much more of it there is – and how little time you have to see it. It’s added a frantic quality to my already absurd life, and an element of both desperation and resignation.
Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart – are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.
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It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description. Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu, for instance, seem to demand silence, like a love affair you can never talk about. For a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and what’s happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there – with your eyes open – and lived to see it.
~ Anthony Bourdain in The Nasty Bits
When I read what Bourdain wrote in the introduction of his book The Nasty Bits, I knew exactly what he meant (by the way, I would LOVE to do what he does). In fact, I had written to a friend just a couple of days back, which touched on the same subject.
“Yes, I know what you mean…there always seems to be something else to do and see. The world isn’t small enough for people like us! I think having a curiosity about the world is both a blessing and a curse. That curiosity makes you a more worldly person…you become more sensitive to and aware of cultural differences…it spurs you on to want to learn more about the world, people.
Yet, this wanderlust stirs this constant restlessness which is not altogether healthy. Being ‘settled’ has its bliss too.”
The words sum up the situation I’m facing right now with my life. How do I reconcile my love for travelling with a job that makes me bound to Singapore all the time? It’s not that I don’t like being based in Singapore. I do like it. It’s an easy place to live in. I’ve tried living abroad and it didn’t quite do it for me ‘cos I felt too lonely. I told myself that if I’m ever going to relocate again, it’d have to be with a partner (boyfriend/husband/de facto/whatever). I figured I should have tried out being a flight attendant years ago. But since that’s not a career option right now, I just have to contend with occasional holidays out of Singapore. Why couldn’t Singapore be bigger????
So my wanderlust has stirred again and I’ll be in Australia from 19 June to 2 July. From the 19th to 22nd I’ll be in Hamilton Island to take part in the Hamilton Cup, which is an outrigger canoe race. Am looking forward to ogling at all the hotbods at the race. Hee.
After the race, I’ll be in Sydney from 23 June to 2 July to catch up with family and friends. I know, it’s the umpteenth time I’m visiting Sydney, but I love returning to this beautiful city which is very special to me. There’s always a sense of comfort returning to a city that one knows well.
I’ve also booked myself on the A380 to experience what flying on the jumbo jet is like. OK, I’m not in the first-class suite but I’m after a cheap thrill. Heh.
Anyway, am always glad to go back to the land of Oz with its lovely beaches, great people, and delicious food!