Give Me Something

So I'm 3.5 months into a 12-18 (undecided as yet) month long trip. Currently covering SE Asia, a number of things have forced a change in plan. I'll now be heading to India ASAP (I know, I know, wrong season, but can't help it) and having a 4-5 month roadtrip on an Enflield Bullet. And I want to add something more to my travels. So far I've been doing the typical backpacker thing, guest-house hopping with stops at postcard sights. It's all starting to seem a bit shallow and I want a fresh start in India.

I'm stopping my travel blog and starting a hand written memoir of sorts. Basically I want an adventure worthy of it. I've already started a few smaller pursuits (learning to cook, picking up a musical instrument, further education via old textbooks, etc.), but I still feel it's not enough. I want some ideas for a unique adventure in India. Something with a theme, something a little crazy, something way too ambitious, I don't care, just something.

I want to one day break into 'social entrepreneurship', so volunteering was a thought, although I can't really afford to do it outright (however much an oxymoron that may be). So perhaps something related? A 'personal aid' trip? Seeking out other social entrepreneurs and networking or something? Or perhaps following in the tracks of a past expedition? I know almost nothing of Indian history (something I hope to rectify over the next few months), so were there any epic journeys I could retrace (in part or in full)? Or maybe even going through a list of something? Searching out every _______ in the country? Seeing the highest, the hottest, the wettest, the longest, the....most!

I don't know, just give me something.

Interesting thoughts sir. I commend you for trying todo something different and "stop" your travel blog. It wasn't that long ago that travel blogging was that different thing.

It seem like to me at least, that lots of folks are trying hard to stand out of the crowd of people travelling these days in an effort to be the first todo this, that, or the other. Not that there is anything wrong with that...

Why not just wander, and make an effort to reach out to one local and 1 traveler per day with your time in India. Be curious and helpful, and see where it takes you instead of trying to "sculpt" the experience.

It's not that I want to stand out from the pack, if the pack was doing something rewarding then I'd gladly follow in step. But so far 'just wondering' in an effort to see where travel takes me (and that's what I've been doing, I scarcely used my outdated guidebook, and try not to plan too much. Hell, I only decided I was spending the rest of this year in India four days ago) has led to a very hollow experience. I don't know, just going from town to town aimlessly, not really doing or achieving anything is great for a holiday, but traveling for over a year I feel should be something more than a holiday. I do like your idea about reaching out to someone each day, that could lead somewhere. Maybe in each place I visit I could endeavor to help one person, or change one thing in a significant (specific?) way?

And not only am I stopping my blog (well, at least for the moment. I may start it up again at some point), I'm even thinking (still just thinking at this point) about ditching my laptop (at present I use it every single day) and going film (I shoot a ridiculous amount with a DSLR now, so that's a big thing for me). Again, not to 'stand out', just to really shake things up personally.

I've been thinking more about that last idea, and I think I may have come across something. As I said before, I want to one day break into the 'social entrepreneurship' field, but I don't have the slightest idea how or what I'd want to do. So, how about I spend my time in India and beyond effectively 'searching for a cause'. Each week I could experience a different form of social change, be it a volunteer project, meeting a social entrepreneur, visiting a seriously effected part of town, etc. in order to find something to devote time and energy to in the long term. It may sound rather selfish, doing that for an ulterior motive, but honestly, what do you expect from an 18 year old on his gap year?

Anyone have any ideas to add? Any resources to help research? Anything?

Or perhaps that isn't the best idea...any others are still appreciated.

Buy an auto rickshaw. Do a loop around India. Due to the limitations of the rickshaw you'll be forced to take the side roads. And take your time...not a race. Adventure will find you, you'll be well off the tourist trail, and it'd be worth writing about.

I was actually going to respond here (politely) saying how that sounds like a bit of a ridiculous idea, but the more I thought about it the more it started to make sense. Traveling during the monsoon, I would be able to move more often (or be under cover if I was forced to travel in the rain). I'd also have plenty of room for my stuff. Not to mention the coolness factor when I import it home (I was planning on importing the Enfield).

But then I looked into it a bit, turns out buying one is a bureaucratic nightmare as they're only sold as public transport vehicles, which means red tape and taxes. You can buy older ones and repaint/register them for private use, but then you have to settle for a two stroke, which means no importing home. On top of that, they're fairly (well, very) expensive, like 150 000 rs expensive. Also, I want to see Ladakh (one of the few places it won't be raining), and I've heard the rickshaw wouldn't make it up the hill.

Still a possibility to think about anyway (I do like the idea of staying dry!!).

Both great ideas so far, keep them coming!

On my first RTW, I shot film exclusively and carried a ratty ol' notebook around. I much prefer a memory card to carrying around dozens or rolls of film. Developing film can get quite expensive, though. I was quite happy to ditch the film camera when DSLRs became cheap enough. Still carry a notebook though — and sometimes a netbook when necessary.

I commend you on your efforts — and can understand your desire to do something different. In my opinion, the medium isn't always the message. At the end of the day, it's the message that counts.

That being said — no need to force things. If it doesn't feel right — drop it. Find something you enjoy doing and do it.

But then I looked into it a bit, turns out buying one is a bureaucratic nightmare as they're only sold as public transport vehicles, which means red tape and taxes. You can buy older ones and repaint/register them for private use, but then you have to settle for a two stroke, which means no importing home. On top of that, they're fairly (well, very) expensive, like 150 000 rs expensive

Sorry, I thought you asked for an adventure. They rarely come without some inconveniences. That's why they are adventures

You could always buy a Nano. It's even been done already

http://www.nanodiaries.com/

I really like the idea of trying to serve someone every day.
And while you're at it, why don't you look for God?
THAT might lead to an awesome adventure! (See what it did for Amy Carmichael and William Carey for starters)

halfnine wrote:

But then I looked into it a bit...

Sorry, I thought you asked for an adventure. They rarely come without some inconveniences. That's why they are adventures

You're absolutely right. I was looking at it the wrong way around, as just replacing the Enfield with the rickshaw as my mode of transport. But the fact is if I got a rickshaw the trip would revolve around it, which isn't a bad thing. All it means is that I have to choose between the social entrepreneurship adventure and the rickshaw adventure (or any other ideas still to come), otherwise I wont be able to give either the effort they deserve.

Getting excited now, this trip is going to be awesome!

You might also consider contacting The Adventurists. They do a Rickshaw Run a few times a year between Nepal and India and vice versa. I am not really recommending the race because I think that defeats the purpose. However, they should have quite a bit of experiencing in sourcing rickshaws and might be able to help you out a bit.

I think the best way to come at this issue is to ask yourself what it is that you expect from your trip. You sound like you're in a traveling "funk", and I doubt any of us travelers haven't had a case or two of that on the road. It sounds to me like traveling isn't what you expected it to be, so you're thinking that you must be doing something wrong to prevent this "magical, soul-awakening experience" from chasing you down and beating the shallow western ignorance out of you. The problem isn't your DSLR, your laptop, or your blog. It sounds like you're just running into the uncomfortable disparity between reality and your imagined experience. I think you need to just relax and let go of all these big ideas about what the journey is SUPPOSED to be like and just focus on doing whatever it is you do. There really aren't any rules about how to travel, what to do, how to do it.... it's all up to you.

But the fact is if I got a rickshaw the trip would revolve around it, which isn't a bad thing. All it means is that I have to choose between the social entrepreneurship adventure and the rickshaw adventure (or any other ideas still to come), otherwise I wont be able to give either the effort they deserve.

Of course you could do both if you wanted. It's not an all or nothing sort of game you're playing, and nothing has a set, prescribed amount of effort that it ought to be given. You clearly already have a few ideas in your head, so listen to yourself and run with one, see where it goes, and adjust from there.

Also, if it helps, when I get in a travel funk, what I do is take a vacation. I stop traveling, find a place that I like or even better go out of my way to get to a place I've been before that I KNOW I like, and take a week off. I sleep until whenever, aspire to nothing more than a late breakfast, maybe a weather-dependent stroll, and finish off the evening with one more beer than anyone might consider prudent. I find that by the end of the week, I'm restless, full of new ideas, and can't wait to get going again.

Hope things work out for you, man. Happy trails!

I think a travel 'funk' is exactly what I'm in. Ever since I entered Thailand a month ago (which was such a mess it deserved it's own benny hill soundtrack) it's like my feet still haven't hit the ground, and I just feel out of it.

Bideshi wrote: I think you need to just relax and let go of all these big ideas about what the journey is SUPPOSED to be like and just focus on doing whatever it is you do.

You're right, and I feel the answer is to get some sort of direction, some hook, and let it roll from there. At the moment I'm thinking this:

- Get a rickshaw (or an Enfield if all else fails)
- Ride one hour each (or most) mornings in a general direction (I can finally use my trusty compass!). Wherever I end up, stay for the night.
- See where it takes me!

I've also spent a lot of time putting together a reading list of thought-provoking books (my eReader is one piece of tech I'll never ditch!) so I can 'test run' those ideas I was talking about as well.

Bideshi wrote:when I get in a travel funk, what I do is take a vacation. I stop traveling, find a place that I like ... and take a week off

Funnily enough that's exactly what I've been doing. I've spent the last 3 or 4 days in Katchanaburi just sitting on the river, occasionally taking a dip in the pool, and not doing much of anything.

Bideshi wrote: I find that by the end of the week, I'm restless, full of new ideas, and can't wait to get going again.

TheAspiringNomad wrote:Getting excited now, this trip is going to be awesome!

I know what you mean

I dare everyone to use an animal as means of transport.
We were sitting on Lake Toba with a funny American dude. He liked the thought of making it into Tibet and over the Hymalayas independently, but said, he'd never do it on a bicycle like we were planning to. We then figured that buying a yak and riding into Tibet would be cool. It certainly be an adventure, that's for sure.

Yak, camel, mule...whatever. Try it!

a.

That is the most hilarious...and possibly most brilliant...idea I have ever heard!

Well I think it's decided, I'm traveling an hour a day, using only my compass, and exploring india by getting lost. Now it's just down to the mode of transport.

So:
- Enfield: 'Boring', easy, fall-back plan, but still more of an adventure than busses, especially in monsoon
- rickshaw: keep dry, walk to Ladakh, possibility of dual purpose coffin
- camel: still laughing!!

Honestly though, would it be at all possible to ride an animal through india? Obviously you'd have to start in a rural area, and I guess that's where you'd be limited to (unless you wanted to brave the highways!), but that could very well be for the best. On top of that, I guess I'd have to learn to ride a horse, or a something. And it doesn't help the 'getting soaked' issue. Perhaps I could focus the whole trip on going north, in the hills? I daresay it might be the best way to get up there! If I do decide to ride an animal through india, that would be an epic adventure, I should even look at getting media coverage!


It's either madness or brilliance. Either way, I'm sold!