I am sitting here with a glass of wine, looking at my globe accumulating dust. It hasn’t spun in a few months, resulting from having to keep my feet on ground for a while to make money. I have been back home since November, working the clock, collecting paper bills of different colors and trying to solidify the stump before I can go again, explore the world and vagabond.
The mountains, my home for the past decade, is a wonderful place. The mountain life is always filled with outdoor activities, creative arts, inspiring encounters and beautiful sceneries. It is a playground for the young and young at heart where people get inspired and live lively. However, why do I feel so nostalgic? Why, with all my amazing surroundings, am I still not completely fulfilled? Will it ever be enough?
I am a girl with an insatiable desire to travel the world. Without travelling, I am like a junkie without his goodies. I have itchy feet and I find satisfaction when I am submerged into the unknown. Routine and stability are scary things for me and I still don’t know how to live with them. I wish I could close my eyes right at this moment, spin the globe and travel to wherever my index finger lands. I want to be brought back in a smelly train in the middle of Asia looking at incredible landscape go by; I want to be squeezed again in that chicken bus in Central America amongst sweat and glorious stares; I want to be back holding on aboard a wooden boat somewhere in the Indian Ocean trying to spot a pod of wild dolphins… I have been to amazing places. I have seen things that I could never compare. I have met people that I will never forget. Travelling refreshes my senses. It brings me happiness. It fulfills me. And I miss it right about now.
Travelling blues? Yes indeed. Remedy? That’s why I started this blog. Not only to document my travels and experiences, but also to cure my nostalgia when she arises. Writing about my past adventures, I relive them. And I smile. And to read fellow wanderers that are diagnosed the same, my heart smiles. ”I might be a dreamer, but I am not the only one”.
My mother always told me to fully live all my emotions in order to get a better understanding of their origins. Feel the emotion, explore it, work it then release it. Perhaps turn it into a new emotion. Writing about this now, and embracing nostalgia, I come to realize that I am so lucky to have this unique life full with incredible and rich memories. And I am grateful for that…
Did gratitude just take over nostalgia?
I know I will be on the road again, feeding on the natural and cultural beauties of the world. But meanwhile, I must live in the present and enjoy my surroundings and the people that are part of it. I will climb to the peak of the mountain, grasp a breath of fresh air and remember that I live in one of the most magnificent places of this world, and that I am fortunate to be standing here along with extraordinary friends and family. To be able to wander the world, I need to wander mine first. To have a beautiful tree full of branches, it needs to have a solid stump. And it starts at home.
(I do not own these images)
Footloose Diary 
Great post. I have the urge all the time too, but I think it’s those memories of wanting to be back in these places and situations that make the working and collecting paychecks worth it. Thank you for sharing- I really enjoyed this!
You are totally right Ashley! Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it 🙂
Le plus grand et beau voyage que l’on puisse faire n’est-il pas celui que l’on fait au fond et au bout de soi-même. Selon moi, voyager n’est pas un but mais un moyen parmi tant d’autres de se rapprocher de son but. Te reste à trouver ton but, et ça, ça peut prendre toute une vie. Pour le moment, tu t’emploies à rendre ta route agréable même si tu cherches encore ton point d’arrivée (ton pourquoi).
J’ai réalisé quel était mon but de vie en jardinant. J’ai compris que mon rôle sur terre était de continuer la vie, de donner naissance à de belles pousses qui deviendraient des arbres épanouis et qui se dirigeraient vers le soleil à leur façon. Le reste (l’argent, le boulot, les voyages, etc.), c’est de la broderie pour rendre tout ça agréable.
« Et pour ceux et celles qui ne donnent pas la vie comme telle !», tu me diras? Eh bien, je vois ça comme une ruche : il y a les pondeuses, les couveuses, les ouvrières, etc. Chacun a son rôle et tout fonctionne bien pour perpétuer l’espèce et rendre la société agréable.
Le reste est de la broderie à laquelle on s’applique du mieux qu’on peut. Tu brodes si bien ma belle. Tu as du talent pour la vie.
Wow, I wish I could translate my mother’s comment, but no words are said better than hers. No wonder where I get this inspiration and thirst on life. She is the one that gave me the tools to pursuit my dreams. She is the one that always believed that I could do anything. She is the one that helped me see opportunity in every difficulty. She is the one that taught me that the most beautiful travel is the travel inside yourself. Well, mom, this trip is pretty amazing, and I thank you big times for it!
Ma chere maman, encore une fois, tu me mets les larmes aux yeux. Merci pour ces beaux mots.
You hit the nail on the head with this one Capucine. I agree with this entire post and this mirrors exactly what I am going through currently. I too returned home in November, saving up so I can explore the world again (which will happen in July!). By the way, I’m taking notes. You’re an outstanding writer!
I’m glad you agree with this. I believe a lot of travellers like us can relate to this insatiable desire. If there is one thing I don’t like about travelling, is missing all the inspire people I met on the road, and all the beautiful places I once vagabonded. But one thing I came to realize, it’s the importance of being grateful of our experiences, and not forget to embrace home while we are there. Thank you Daniel so kindly for your positive feedback. I look forward to reading your stories about your next adventures!