Traveling is in a myriad of ways a microcosm of life that ultimately enriches it and brings meaning to our world. There are unexpected turns, trials, tribulations and opportunities that arise off both planned and spontaneous series of actions. In the end, it is the journey that is what matters. The destination is just a step along the way. That experience is what builds memories and personal growth. We are made more complete because of it.
Why travel and write: My tribute to my friend and soulmate
I am a blessed man. I am able to travel several times a year despite having some chronic pain and illness in my neck. I am infinitely more blessed by whom I shared many years of my life with, and who inspired me to live life by its fullest. This post is a tribute to Amanda. She was my friend all the way since middle school. I am dating myself with the musical tastes and fashion, but we were rocking out to alt rock and nu metal, wearing flannel and Jnco Jeans. N64 was the cutting edge the video game counsel and social media and smart phones were years away. It was a simpler time. We reconnected after college after I moved back home and left working on national political campaigns, and from a year teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. We had a bond that transcended friendship and romance. It was just straight and unadulterated love and compassion. She was very much my intellectual and emotional equal. We could have conversed about anything from the culinary arts scene of Paris or Tokyo, to the inside baseball of a political campaign to our favorite films from the `1940s (always Casablanca) to what street in Manhattan has the best beer and wine bar, to the philosophical dialectics of the life of butterflies and cats, to how well the Yankees and New York Rangers matched up in their respective playoff pushes. She never was boring. We usually kept our social life fairly private. She kept her illness exceptionally private. We’d fight, we’d forgive, we’d laugh, but we never walked away. Amanda took the time to savor little moments, and she shared many of them with me. I was very fortunate to have known her for 24 years). This photo captures what she was about. Glass of wine and the city lights, Yankees cap and relaxed fashion. Most may know her as the party socialite from high school. I knew her as the bookworm who loved art, New York City, baseball and a good drink.
She contracted a kidney disease over eight years ago from the writing of this post. She needed dialysis for the past few years. We lost her on January 29, 2020. I always knew that at some point this day would come, and knowing what I know, I still would do it all again for her. In some ways, I am glad she never witnessed the world close down and suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of racism and warfare that has precipitated in the aftermath of it. The world was still golden and free when she was a part of it. So that is how the world would always be for her.
She couldn’t travel, so she wanted me to go. She wanted to be a part of what I saw. I would make a point to Skype or FaceTime her from key points in my travel. I let her see the sunset over the Seine and Eiffel Tower. She was able to see the neon alleys of Tokyo, the Royal Mile of Edinburgh and the street art scene of Reykjavik. I brought these places to her. That’s when she said I should start writing about what I do. There are a lot of people who just cant get out there. So I write to be your eyes into a larger, and beautiful world.
This blog, the continued traveling and being creative were all endeavors she encouraged to me partake, and to share it with her. She was a big reason why I started to travel. She’s the reason why I started a blog. She wasn’t able to travel with her illness. So she encouraged me to hop on a plane and go. She’s the reason why I did a lot of things. I’m eternally grateful to you.
This blog is also not possible with another person who has helped me heal and is very much my soulmate now. Many of the photos you see on this site are made possible because of her support and diligence in editing and formatting many of the photos I have taken along my travels. She is also someone I met because of my travels to Japan and attempts to learn Japanese. Dearest Chisa, arigatogozaimasu, watashi no hinode. Your courage and grace always ground me to endeavor to be better. I am more ureshii because of you.
Chisa was part of the most important trip of my life. She has become family to me.
Finally, I want to thank you. I hope you gain some wonder as I have during my many long hours of a plane or train, eager to see a new destination. And, in the end, that travel humbles all senses of enthocentricism as much more eloquently stated by Mr. Rick Steves, and we are all made wiser and more loving because of it. We are all one community. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and thank you for making journeys of your own. There is no normal life, there is just life. We best make every attempt to live it.
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