There are hundreds if not thousands of travel blogs out on the “Interweb”.
Some telling local, up to the minute stories, that you can rely on to give you a more “native experience”.
Some are resource sites, advocating this product or that, hopefully competing to route seekers to legitimate, well considered opinions to help them on their travels. But sometimes not.
Some are personal journeys, either recording “where are they now” for friends and family, or just archiving memories and photos for future enjoyment and reflection.
Some are over-bloated corporate voices, that come with market depth and reach, but with so many influences that they lose all identity and any gems of information are hidden behind so much dross as to be almost literally unlocatable.
The question that every blogger needs to ask is “WHY?”
What is my motive, my purpose, my aim?
In so many cases it’s income, which is just a way to find an alternative means to support a chosen lifestyle. Usually one that is non-conformist, as conformists tend to find themselves elsewhere in this society.
Sometimes it’s notoriety. Or fame. Or infamy. Or just recognition. Semantically different but from the same branch of the family tree.
Sometimes it’s genuinely confused. Or haphazard. Or initially passionate, but eventually divorced from as the work involved becomes clear and just too hard to keep up.
Or just a true labour of love on something intrinsically linked to a person’s soul.
What’s this one about?
If I’m brutally honest I’m not sure.
Probably because I’m not sure about a huge amount of things in my life.
What I want to do ?
What I want to be ?
What I do or do not stand for ?
What and who I love ?
What drives my despair ?
Where I find my joy ?
How I want to exist ?
What’s the point ?
Basic existentialist questions to be honest.
So predictable for a man of my age (49)
So middle age crisis, so lonesome, so banal.
But one less often played out on a public stage, by an average guy. One that is usually reserved for local family and friendship groups or obscenely played out in public by those with too much fame, fortune or just idle time in a “look at me” self-absorbed culture.
I will try to be as raw, honest, open forthright and unguarded as I possibly can (the only bulwark being the consideration of others rather than myself) which will surprise a those that consider me a little walled in.
I will also genuinely let those of you that want to join the conversation participate openly, without censorship, fear or favour.
So this blog will be a combination of things:
A self exploration
An archive of where and what I’m doing to share with family and friends who are living a more traditional life
A resource of sorts for the few things I personally discover and can vouch for.
A way to reflect, to enquire, to engage on fundamental questions with those that care to join a conversation.
And hopefully some sort of touchstone, bedrock, or even salvation.
If you’re interested come and join in the dismantling of my walls. Help me locate what’s been hidden behind them. See what travel can truly help you discover – beyond landmarks, markets, hotels and discordant sounds and customs.
I promise it will be an interesting journey.