Why I Love Both
“Traveling, it leaves you breathless, then turns you into a storyteller.” -Ibn Battuta
This is the quote that launched my travel-themed month of July on my Facebook page. Now that the month is over, and I have traveled over 4,500 miles (according to Ed) from Arizona, to Indiana, to Atlanta, to Orange Beach AL, back to Altanta and back to Arizona, I would like to amend the above quote to read:
“Traveling, it leaves you tired, and sunburned, and sandy, and five pounds heavier..and then it turns you into a storyteller. -Debra VanDeventer
I’ll admit, it felt good to unpack my bags in my own cozy corner of the world, back into my own bed, my own shower, my familiar foods and routines. To plant my feet on ground that wasn’t moving at 75 mph down an endless highway, hoping a bathroom was coming along in the near future. Why did I ever leave home in the first place? Well, may it’s because….
Travel Makes Memories
When I’m back in Arizona on a blazing hot summer day, I recall the quiet, shade of my family’s lakeside condo in the midwest, or the taste of an Aperol Spritz in Taormina, Italy.
When my granddaughters call to tell me about the first day of middle school or high school and I know summer is over and I miss them terribly, I remember sunset walks along the beach and gathering with family for fireworks and fourth-of-July bratwursts in my daughter’s backyard.
Or maybe I travel because…
Traveling turns me into a storyteller after all.
Battuta was right. One can’t travel without collecting stories. And for those of us who are writers, it’s our job to go out and gather stories and bring them to life, to bring attention to things that others may pass by, to cause our readers to stop and think or smile or make a connection. This is my passion. So then…
Why do I come home?
Frances Mayes in her book A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Travelller calls it “The Riddle of Home.” She has made a life of travel, yet still desires home, the place where everything connects. I can relate. Home is where I ground myself, gather my thoughts, process my wanderings, snuggle in my favorite chair with a cup of tea and a good book, work on a sewing project, watch a perfect sunset over the mountains, rest, re-group. Write.
So for me right now, I need both and as long as I’m able I will travel and come back home and repeat the cycle often. (in fact, I’m heading out on a California road trip next month-stay tuned) Thanks for following along. You inspire me to do what I do. Happy Trails!
“Travel far enough and you meet yourself.” – David Mitchell
Threads of Thought
Why do you travel? Where have you been? What stories do you have?
Author’s note: As I was typing the title of the Francis Mayes book, I noticed she spelled Traveller with double (L) I have been spelling it with one. Who’s right? According to my research, both. Double L is the UK standard, one L is the US English standard. Interesting. Would any of my UK followers care to weigh in?
A teacher turned into a storyteller, writer, blogger, and traveler. The story begins here! http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer