10 Feelings All Travelers Relate To In The Midst Of Their Wanderlust
Vagabond, rambler, wanderer, traveler, drifter, maunder, gadabout, wayfarer, (beach) bum, nomad, or adventurer. Whatever you are, we have one thing in common, we travel.
By Maika Nautan
Vagabond, rambler, wanderer, traveler, drifter, maunder, gadabout, wayfarer, (beach) bum, nomad, or adventurer. Whatever you are, we have one thing in common, we travel. Travel? Is that the only thing we have in common?
1. I am broke…
I’m not rich. In fact, most of the time, I’m struggling. Struggle to eat thrice a day, to stay in my grandparent’s house, to pay my bills, to support my daily use, etc. I don’t have a single penny left in the bank. I spend it all in traveling. I invested it all in experience, best captures, good food, with great locals and life lessons. I don’t care if I am broke… I’m still rich in something worthwhile- good memories. Currently, I am saving for my next place ‘cause my grandma wants me to find my own place. She said “Get out! Get Lost! Move away!”. Now I’m ready again to be broke!
2. I am lost…
Will somebody out there try to call 911. Someone is lost. My soul is lost. Lost in an incredible moment. I often ask myself, where in this beautiful world I am? Is this real or am I just dreaming. ‘Cause if I am, I don’t want to wake up anymore. I found my new place and it’s called wanderland. Wanderlust. Yes! That’s the right word. Don’t dare to find me. You will just lost like me. And trust me baby, you will just drown in memories.
3. I am drowning…
As the lifeguard tries to save me, I just said, just let me. So he let me be. I am drowning… drowning in memories. Is that okay? Yes! Like John Legend said,”my head’s under water, but I’m breathing fine”. I know it’s crazy, but that’s all I want right now. Good vibes, better feeling and best experience. I just want to drown in the vast sea, in the field full of sunflowers, drown in the endless beauty of sunrises and sunsets, drown in pure bliss, etc. If I’m going to die right now, please open my travel diary, read it and get my last will and testament which I folded it twice and use it as a bookmark. It said there that, all my wealth from travels- experiences, memories, and captures will go to the one who take the time to read this article. I don’t have children nor a husband ‘cause I am still single so I pass it all to you.
4. I am single…
I am single and that’s okay ‘cause I’m happy. My singleness is such a big deal for everybody. Most of the time, they often ask me where in the world is my boyfriend. Or the funniest question I ever heard, are you a lesbian? And the weird thing..is your heart still beating? Yes! It doesn’t mean that I am single, I have so much hatred for guys. It’s not that I don’t have time for human feelings. It’s just that, I love my freedom very much and I find freedom whenever I’m on the road. I’m not forcing you to understand me right now, but someday baby, you will understand me. And to those who asked me, did I ever fall in love? I have fallen in love and I am falling in love to “him”.
5. I am in love…
I am in love right now. In love with the places I’ve been to. In love with the people I met along the way. In love with the thought of being in love and happily in love with him- named “travel”. His name sounds familiar to you? Yes! I’m not kidding, baby! The first time I knew him, I fell in love with him. There’s something about him that I can’t resist. Some people mistakenly thought that love is an emotion or a feeling when in fact it is an action.
“Travel” always gives me flowers, watch the sunrises and sunsets with me, an addictive smile, a walk in the park, visit to the museums, a day at the beach, an adventure in the mountains, a date in the bench under the lamp-post, a romantic dinner in the street with the best menus-street food, discover some havens with me and everything under the sun. “Travel” never leave me. That’s why I am never afraid to take chances and follow the stars. I love you “travel” to the moon and back!
6. I am not afraid…
Being with the people they called strangers, staying in unfamiliar places, experiencing different culture and religions, sleep in a Nipa hut, train/ferry stations, or just in the hammock, I am not afraid anymore. I don’t want to be that coward before who just follow what other people say ‘cause she’s afraid to take chances. Now, I am facing the world. A wonderful world indeed. And I am positive enough to every remaining days. I want to live my life the way I wanted it to be and I am not afraid anymore. I just want to live a simple life and be happy.
7. I am happy…
Just do it. Doing something of what you really dream of, even if some people don’t totally agree with you- go against the odds. Following your bliss even if it means leaving our love ones for a while. Pursuing on something worthwhile even if it means sacrificing your comfortable life. Trying to live life to the best we could. That’s happiness. We gotta fight for it. When we fight, we have to fight all the damn way through. I don’t have any regrets that I follow my heart, my dream, my bliss and my happiness. I am happy that I make a difference even in my own little way and I learned it all in traveling.
8. I am learning…
Traveling taught us many things in life that we can’t learn and find in school. Traveling taught us to have empathy, to be more sensitive to others, valuing life, time and human race, down to earth, helping our mother earth, embracing ourselves, understanding other people even we have different languages, etc. We learn to help other people, to respect their culture and religions, to understand their souls, to embody their beliefs, to live like a local, to keep humble as much as we can, to embrace our imperfections, to be familiar with our strengths and weaknesses and a lot-of-things-not-ended. There’s so much to learn while traveling. Experience is our best teacher and we are those wanderers who eagerly wants to learn and hungry and thirsty to new possibilities and ideas no matter how hard it is.
9. I am hungry and thirsty…
Hungry of exploring this beautiful mad world. Of discovering the hidden wonders of the world. Of walking through the moon and floating in the galaxy, swimming in the Milky Way, wandering under the sun and loving every inch of humankind. I am thirsty of all those thoughts. Even the vast sea, the underwater, the raindrops are not enough. I am so thirsty…thirsty to experience what this world can offer.
10. I am who I am…
We are often misjudged by other people, misunderstood by many, discrimination seems our buddy, despised by ignorance, and envy of society. No matter what other people say about you, good or bad, it will not define the real you. People always have something to say and let them be. Don’t listen to them. Just follow your heart and you will never get lost. You are born to be wild. You are born to be nomad. You are who you are. A lover of life, a wanderer, a soul believer, a freedom seeker. You are a traveler and will always be.