Why he loves to travel to Japan — a poem
Photo from inside Narita International Airport with reflection
Faking normal in Narita
I asked a student why
he loved so much to travel.
What a weird question
he said. Because
when I travel I’m free.
Istanbul is home
and people who love me
and obligations.
All the time I am
pretending to be happy
but I’m not
not till I fly to Japan—
then I’m a different me
living days without duties or planning
with talking and drinking and romance
and walking 20K per day
and I am free.
Photo and travel diary note by Rachel McAlpine CC BY 2.0, drafted at Seoul Art Space—Yeonhui 3 Sept 2018
How old was this man?
Hi Rachel – yes days like this … they would be lovely, til we wanted to settle down again … enjoy your trip/study time though – cheers Hilary
I think the young man is correct. Travel takes us away from dailiness, which however comforting, takes planning and extra work. We all benefit from time away.
Wise Elizabeth.
“20K per day” walking away from love. Some freedom.
Oh please don’t judge or I cannot share my observations. Best try to “be” this person for a moment.
Or perhaps I read you wrong— if so, so sorry.
This is also why I travel! Freedom!
Makes perfect sense, there is a freedom in travel.