Song of the Open Road

Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
...
From this hour, freedom!
From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,
Listening to others, and considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the hold that would hold me.

I was looking up a quote today and I came across this passage the poem Song of the Open Road, by Walt Whitman (one of my favorite poets).  The entire piece is extremely long and rambles on in that great life-loving, celebratory way that Whitman seems to express in all his poetry.

Whatever it is, these lines spoke to me today. I guess it was partially the realization that this weekend I'm actually leaving for London. I'm about to embark on that life-changing, spirit-freeing, mind-opening rite-of-passage we like to call "travel."

My open road is not one in the literal sense. Rather, it is a path I'm taking in life, a personal journey to understand the world a little better and my own self as well.

London in a Fortnight

This morning I was struck by the realization that in exactly 14 days I will be leaving the States for my adventure abroad. I've wanted this for so long, but at times it just feels so overwhelming. I have chosen to embark on this journey, to begin a new chapter of my life and yet… This chapter seems to be one I am afraid to write.

But why?

I suppose it's for many reasons. It's always a little scary delving into the unknown. I'm afraid of all the things that could go wrong, but probably won't. Little stuff and big stuff. Just the whole idea of being so far away and isolated from the resources I know how to utilize at home is kind of an unsettling thought.

But at the same time, traveling to London is an exceedingly tame endeavor. Unlike many of my friends who have traveled all over the world to volunteer at orphanages in Africa, practice languages in Japan and South America, study marine science in the Honduras, and so on, visiting the UK for a few months seems like a walk in the park.

Yet in the story of my life, it is the biggest thing I have ever done. All conflicting thoughts and feelings aside, I know that in the end this will be an incredible character building experience, and hopefully one that will prepare me for the things I'd like to do in the future. On that drift, I am completely ecstatic about the trip.

I can't wait to see all the new sights, taste new foods, hear new sounds, experience life in a new way. I can't even fathom the reality of this opportunity. Fourteen days. How do I even prepare for this? What an adventure it will be!