What inspired you?
The question itself is only three words - but don’t mistake it for something that is easy. About a week ago, after exchanging the usual pleasantries with a couple I'd met on vacation asked me, in a rather condescending tone: "Why in the world would I dream of driving around the world when I could just fly". The kicker was when they asked what inspired me to do ‘such a crazy thing.’ I temporarily borrowed their condescending tone and replied “To be different.” They didn’t get it, I didn’t get them and the conversation didn't go much further.
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It doesn’t register to some people, then again, a lot of what normal people do simply just doesn’t register with me either. I dream of the Road of Bones, driving what could be one of the most difficult stretches of road in the world - most of my friends I grew up with dream of Daiquiri's and Spring break in Panama City Beach. In the end, it’s what makes YOU happy, but I started thinking where I hit the fork in the road. At what point in my life did things change for me? I’ve always thought you can learn something from anyone you talk to and I realized about a week later, that couple taught me that I didn't know where I hopped on that road which lead me here today.
After a few days of meditation and deep thought, I decided to ask around. This is where mothers are great - seemingly they remember everything (a scary thought on it's own). I asked her over the holidays why she thought I liked traveling, specifically, overlanding so much. She told me when I was young I used to tell my Dad to change the cartoon channel to Michael Palin’s program - Around the World in 80 Days. I think we watched every single episode together. After re-kindling some fond memories I decided to find an episode and figure out if that's really why.
Note the Land Cruisers.
Here’s to blaming you for my expensive travel habit Mr. Palin.
