photo courtesy of dream a little dream of me
I have a friend moving to Australia. A friend who might visit Australia. A friend who just moved back to India. Friends leaving for Thailand later this month. I know I know, I'm so deprived. (Not.) But, I am itching to get out of the country for a bit. Besides hardly having enough money to even consider traveling, I haven't yet convinced any of my friends to take an epic trip with me. I'm dying to go back to South America and hike Machu Picchu, explore Argentina and Bolivia and maybe even go back to Chile.
I think what I'm craving is that feeling of awe when you're in the presence of a landmark, a building or just the beautiful outdoors, that, before that moment, you'd only seen in photos. Where it kind of knocks you off you're feet because you can't believe you're seeing something you've dreamed about in real life.
That's how I felt when I visited the Taj Mahal. It was 6:30 a.m., sunrise, and there weren't too many people there yet. It was weirdly quiet (if you've been to India you know that quiet is not something you experience often, if ever) and even more spectacular than I imagined, if that's even possible. Seeing the Taj Mahal left me pensive and humbled and I remember wishing we had allotted more time to just sit and enjoy its presence. And that's what I miss so much. Maybe the key is finding people and places like this in your everyday life. Living in the Bay Area, that shouldn't be too tough. That way, unlike me, you aren't daydreaming about being somewhere else but really cherishing where you are in that very moment.
{Something to think about!}
7 comments:
Allie, I totally get this! You know how some people are "adrenaline junkies" and they're always doing crazy dangerous things like jumping out of airplanes?
I think I'm a "wonder junkie". I just want to feel AWE over things. It's my favorite feeling. For this reason both Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal are also on my life list.
Yes, I completely understand. Though I've only been outside of the country twice, I know what you mean. I think you're right, the trick is to keep exploring, no matter where you are. Here in Chicago, the neighborhoods are so distinct and each has such a different feel that there is always something and somewhere new to check out. The challenge, I find, is making it to the same place twice.
Oh man. Same boat. Same itch-to-travel-but-friends-are-too-poor-or-unwilling-to-spend-money-on-travel bug. Have you considered going solo? Not an ideal situation (ever seen 'taken'? that's my mom's retort whenever i suggest going alone) but definitely beats not getting to go anywhere.
I agree! That's how I felt when we were at Chichen Itza in Mexico. So surreal! I'd love to get out of the country. I have a few friends that are moving to Europe on there own. I envy how (for lack of a better word) ballsy they are! haha
xo
That last picture is amazing. You look gorgeous and really happy!!
PS. You had me until hiking lol. I'm deathly scared of snakes and on my last hike...well I saw one. grossss
Stunning!! All my friends are planning big journeys too, im happy for them but sad to be losing them to another continent at the same time!
wow. that is definitely a place i would love to visit.
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