I've traveled so much in my life. When I was younger, I went where the wind took me. I was every bit a rolling stone. If I had been a Catholic, Christopher would have been my saint. I am now paying for much of the impulsivity I engaged in when I was in my early to mid twenties, and much of those impulsive acts included traveling. I remember when I was a junior in college I went to London on a whim. I just decided, "Hey, I'm going to go to London tomorrow."
And I did.
This was before I was diagnosed as bipolar. Back then, I would do anything to balance myself out or get rid of the mania and stave off the inevitable crash.
I've been to England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, and St. Maarten. I've never been west of the Mississippi, but I have traveled up and down the East Coast.
I can't say I have one trip that sticks out in my mind as my favorite. I know it's lame, but they were all my favorites. Of course, there are places I would more readily visit again over others, but I think that's normal. This isn't about my favorite vacation where I got to relax on a beach sipping a drink garnished with a tiny umbrella. This isn't about where I got the most wasted (New Orleans, of course.) This isn't about where I had that amazing moment of transcendence where all was right with the world for just that moment (otherwise known as whenever I take MDMA).
You know what I love about traveling though? The traveling to the destination itself. Being in transit allows my mind to really wander freely and without any malicious thoughts or worry. I know most people hate airports and train stations, but I just love them. I love sitting in an airport bar and watching the people hustle about as I enjoy a beer. Because of this odd enjoyment, I tend to get to airports earlier than I really need to be. There's just something about an airport or a train station that really reveals people and who they are.
One of my favorite trips is the train ride from New York City to Montreal. It's such a scenic and beautiful route. All in all, it takes about ten hours or so. If I drove it would only be about six or seven. But the ride is so delicious! The evolution from gritty and dirty city to the pretty towns along the Hudson that turn into the lovely country side. It's just so remarkable no matter what time of year you go. The first time I went to Montreal was in the spring. The flowers were beginning to bloom and the air was becoming affectionate and warm. I got to see the earth wake up on that train ride. And I sat next to the most lovely man. We talked all the way until he got off the train somewhere in way upstate New York, not too far from the border.
(You see, I love talking to people. All people. I'm not one of those people with ear buds in tuning out all the strangers. To me, and this may be naive, a stranger is a friend I haven't met yet. How do you learn from humanity if you're constantly tuning them out?)
The second and last time I went to Montreal was in the dead of winter. Even then the ride was simply gorgeous. Snow lined the ground, making the coniferous trees seem even greener. For a good long while, near Lake Placid, I was able to watch bald eagles fly about. I don't get to see bald eagles that often, so it was incredibly exciting for me! On that ride up, I met an awesome woman who is about my age. Through talking, we discovered that we had a lot in common. We're friends to this day.
Another favorite trip of mine to do is the red eye to Europe. I like the excitement of it all. Take off in New York at six PM and land at six AM on a different continent. It's just so amazing! I like flipping the channels on the screen in front of me to the visual of the little plane over the ocean. I like zooming out as far as I can and looking at the map before me. And then I like zooming in again and when I begin to see Iceland I know I am getting close! I also like to watch everyone around me fall asleep one by one. However, I never fall asleep. I can't sleep unless I am in a bed and in a position of repose. I remember once I tried my damnedest to sleep on my way to England once. I took four Xanax and had several glasses of whiskey. Still, no sleep. Felt damn good though. I vaguely remember thinking all those in flight movies were AWESOME. hehe.
You know, I even enjoy subway rides or when I take the bus from New Jersey to Port Authority. Of course, now living in Charlotte, my days of commuting to the city are over, but when I go back up north and manage to get to the city I try to take the bus or the PATH train.
So there you have it. I don't have a favorite trip. They're all my favorites. But so much of the experience for me is intertwined with the journey itself that I had to talk about it.
I haven't been able to really travel in a long while and I really think I'm over due for a good trip somewhere. I'm thinking quite possibly of New England, sometime around my birthday. What say you, @rocket and @ameline?