Sputnik Adventures

Sputniki, a bit about my travel prep might provide some insight. You have all heard the advice to pack the minimum and then cut that in half. This works fine if your only object is comfort, convenience and avoiding needless worry. These objectives are not, however, the purpose of travel.

The purpose of travel is being willing to change and be changed by travel. It’s to observe and to take part, and to bring something of your own country and of yourself to those generous friends and hosts you meet along the way. More selfishly, it’s a way of wiping the slate clean yourself–if you arrive with fresh eyes and mind, you can shed your baggage as the trip unfolds, like confessing sins. The baggage need not be brought back.

I make this metaphor literal with every trip. I pack every ugly and unwanted item possible in my bags. (My kids will tell you that my wardrobe permits much future travel.) Owing to a lamentable fashion trend in prior years, I’ve dubbed this particular trip the Vertical Stripe Tour. I’ll wash an item a few times on the road, and then leave it at a bus or train station, or in a hotel room. The clothes are typically still good enough for wear; if not I simply throw them away. This lightens the load as I go.

The trip will come where I will arrive laden with every relic I regret having bought, worn, or witnessed, and step off the plane on my return with my camera and a new set of clothes. Cheers

Sputnik Lee