Travelling is such a strange thing. There is no other way than to begin with an open heart. A complete blank screen of the mind. Then what presents is all fresh and new. No expectations; responding in the moment because nothing is known or familiar. This is not necessarily either easy or straightforward. It is not for everyone. A state of dynamic tension that holds it’s position in one’s consciousness. That is the way. It requires constant attention. Difficult.

How then to proceed to allow this? Visitors (of the mind) persist. It is somehow to allow for this while at the same time being in the moment and responding to what appears, all the while trusting one’s instincts.

Well everything is fine in theory at least. We can only try. Let go and get lost anyway then try and tolerate whatever discomfort may arise to re orientate oneself and get home. In my case I am so visually orientated that often I miss sounds as I endeavour to make sense of my surroundings. I prefer a map to gain an overall slant on things with perhaps gps assist to give position in relation to the map. Oft times there are so many people who seem to just wander staring at a smart phone to navigate but all the attention is directed to this and so much of one’s immediate surroundings go completely unnoticed. Besides as good as the technology may or may not be it is certainly not without it’s problems. As a result so many are not using a skill set which has been part of humanity for ever. I find this actually quite upsetting. It is also worth noting that help is always at hand if we can accept that possibility without the ego getting in the way. Many people especially the young always have some english to whatever degree. This is invariably enough to get on track and can be a lot of fun as well as a chance to interact with locals. People everywhere can be surprisingly warm and friendly. All we have to do is be open.

I think another aspect of all this is the result of simply getting tired. This is something that can just sneak up on you and the natural inclination is to ignore it. Wrong again. Finding a way to address this properly is important. Being still for a period certainly helps. Removing the desire to keep going to see just a bit more while the opportunity is there knowing all the while that time in any particular place is limited is also important. So it goes; the eternal push and pull. Searching for the way that fits.

Agendas are also interesting. Having little or no agenda certainly helps. Forcing oneself to tick everything off the days list seems to me to be foolish, leaving oneself wide open to disappointment. Accepting everything as fresh and timely is far better. Research can be done at a later time if the inclination is there to pursue something in greater detail. At such a time assimilating new information may be far more rewarding. It’s having the experience in the first place that matters. Besides we can only absorb so much at any one time regardless. Another aspect of tiredness can manifest with suddenly everything starting to look the same. It could be something like not another church or not another lane way with every aspect becoming bland without seeing the subtle differences that present. This is bound to happen sooner or later.

It’s somewhat existential in as far as one is moving through a space with little or no relatedness to surroundings or the people who may be in that space at the time of passing. Things can change very rapidly though. A sudden turn can offer immediate connection once again as new surroundings are perceived with new clarity. The “in and out” of consciousness is constantly shifting. No wonder one can get tired. There is this constant confrontation with the self. As always this is the real life; the main game.