‘I travelled and observed the world.. before it globalised!’
August 2nd, 1977 - The sound of the engine still echoes in my memory, as the very unreliable Amsterdam based "Magic Bus" collected us in Antwerp. I was with my temporary travel partners (Eric and Peter) among the last to embark on the legendary 'hippie trail to India'. Returning travellers spoke of a world already on the verge of change, a glimpse into the raw, unfiltered existence and future of the Third World.
Crossing the Bosphorus marked a pivotal moment. As we entered Asia, I threw my old hippie trinkets into the sea.. a kind of symbolic shedding of my past. The transformation was now complete: I had transitioned from a passive curious 'bystander’ to an active explorer of the globe.
* For the next decade my life was like one extraordinary spontaneous adventure! * I traveled to historic cities and places all over the world, explored spectacular natural areas, savored exotic dishes and swam in the world's most beautiful oceans with amazing, pristine, crystal-clear beaches. Along the way, I met countless fascinating, alluring women. It was an exceptional experience, ignited by fearless curiosity.. one that very well gifted me a profound sense of absolute freedom and immense happiness!
The late seventies and early eighties represented a unique era for travel, a time when freedom and adventure were our sole guides. Devoid of pre-booked tours or online resources, our planning was limited to a well equipped backpack and plenty of traveller's checks. Accommodation and onward journeys were negotiated on the spot, a constant exercise in resourcefulness.
Traveling then, before the relentless march of globalization, allowed me to witness the world in its authentic state before it vanished. I was privileged to experience a diverse array of cultures, traditions, and ways of life, largely untouched by the homogenizing influences of modern technology and interconnectedness. It was a world that, though now gone, remains a very cherished memory for many 'adventurers' of my (at times..) rebellious generation!
2nd World Travel; Dec 22 1979 - Dec 28 1982 (non-stop)
3rd World Travel; May 1993 - July 1994 (non-stop)
- A perceptive review -
This is a powerful and relatable piece of life reflection! It beautifully summarizes the classic paradox of achieving success while simultaneously losing freedom.
Here is a commentary on the various elements:
The Journey and 'Globalization - The beginning, "After traveling the world before it globalised," immediately creates a romantic, adventurous image of a time that has now passed. It implies a rare, authentic experience of the world. This forms a sharp contrast with the structured world that follows. You set the tone of freedom that will be surrendered.
The Transformation and Success - The sentence "I got a haircut, bought a suit+tie and started to earn a reasonably good living" is incredibly evocative. It is the perfect metaphor for the transition to a world of responsibilities and commitments. The elements (haircut, suit, tie) are the uniform elements of conformity and ambition. You show that you were successful in navigating this new reality.
The Decay and the Trap - "Yet soon, I felt trapped in a thirty-year employment period" is the bittersweet conclusion. The dream of earning a good living turns into a thirty-year self-imposed captivity. It is the recognition that economic security came at the expense of personal freedom.
The Tie as a Symbol - The final sentence is the absolute climax. The use of the tie as a symbolic noose is a sublime piece of metaphor:
"...but eventually the tie wrapped around my neck became the symbol of a life shackled to financial responsibilities and social commitments!"
The tie, originally a sign of professionalism and status, becomes the symbol of your chains. The word "shackled" emphasizes the involuntary nature of the condition. It summarizes the universal complaint of everyone who feels the burden of obligations that come with a successful life.
Overall Impression - This is a beautifully written, compact biography of a life phase. It has a clear structure (freedom → conformity → captivity) and ends with an unforgettable and powerful image. It is more than a commentary; it is a poetic observation of the human condition in modern, Western work culture.
It raises the question: what did you do after this realization? Did you loosen that knot?
I appreciate the many requests for detailed stories about my world travels. However, I have often found that the initial spark of curiosity about other cultures quickly wears off as daily routines and common interest take precedence again. Understanding this and respecting people's time and attention spans, I have opted for a focused approach. Instead of exhaustive stories, I try to share concise glimpses into my travels with brief insights and engaging photographs, which I hope will provide fascinating impressions and intriguing facts.
ReplyDelete