When you think about traveling, you think of new destinations, places you’ve never been to…or places that you have been to, but are now viewing through the different perspectives that your life experiences have given you. You are excited before the journey because you have so many expectations of things to look forward to…what are the sights and sounds you’ll love to explore? Maybe it’ll turn out disappointingly and you’ll wish you never bothered? Maybe you’ll find love on the trip? Maybe you’ll get your heart broken? Maybe you’ll pick up a new language or some life hacks…learn about a new culture…ooooh, the food! Tastes that will bring new life (or regrets) to your tastebuds…hmmm..so much to look forward to! When is the right time to set out? Will you be ready for the trip? You can ride solo or share the experiences with your friends…or strangers that become friends because of your shared experiences.
…that’s mostly how I feel when I’m about to start reading a book and that’s why it’s my favorite way to travel *insert cheesy grin* lol! Recently, I’ve been traveling (by air) more frequently than usual for work and for someone who has never really been keen on that experience, I’m now positively in a rebellious state about it! I do not have a fear of flying, but I do have serious issues with all the things connected to me getting on a plane to go somewhere. So I’ve decided to pit the two of them against each other just to make myself feel better (spoiler alert: the books win ^_^).
You don’t need a visa to visit a new book. You see it, you want to explore it, so you buy it and voila! You’re in! No need to fill out any forms and providing your personal information is extremely optional. No need to bother about a visa rejection either (yasss!!!). Yes, I know there are visa-free countries for certain nationalities…BUT…books are without borders #BWB #FTW
You can get into a book immediately you see it and that’s it. Nothing needed, just you. Some people have been known to just get on a flight and go somewhere, but that’s just another level of traveller I haven’t unlocked yet (probably never will). I have to pack…a task that that I equate to pulling teeth. What on earth does ‘traveling light’ even mean? For me, if I have to go anywhere longer than two days, then I’ll need a suitcase, a hand luggage and maybe some extra bags. Stuff just all seem to be absolutely necessary and since it’s so hard to decide what to leave behind, I just take them all…then there’s the unpacking (X_X)
When I go through immigration checks and there are friendly faces there, I feel like I’ve seen a unicorn. Maybe it’s just the places I’ve been to, but more often than not, the immigration crew act as if I personally spat into their morning coffee -_- Sometimes, I mentally toss a coin in my head on whether I should bother saying hello or not…but mama raised me well so I always do. With books though, the only attitudes you need to face are the ones you choose to, from the characters.
Then let’s not get into the mass of involuntary human interactions. People crowding into your personal space. Having to listen to other people’s conversations (sound-cancelling headphones should be a basic provision at airports). People burping / farting / sneezing / etc. while you take it all in because really, what other choice do you have when you’re bound together in flying matrimony?
Do you get tired after reading a book for days nonstop? Yeah, me neither. Lovely isn’t it? Can’t say the same for flying for the same amount of time though. Plus, how else can you travel between different countries and immerse yourself in new cultures within a very little time.
When you’re in a new book, you’re not going to be culturally insensitive (unless the author is, but that’s not why we’re here today). You don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or using the wrong gestures. All you just have to do is take it all in, let it wash over you and learn a new thing or two while you’re at it.
So yeah, you can’t take a selfie for the ‘gram in that new hot spot with books, but reading about it leaves so much scope for imagination (a la Anne with an E)…and don’t lie, you have been to tourist spots that have been amazingly underwhelming, right?
At this point, need I write more? I’ve really just run out of comparisons. It’s all banter though…visiting places either by reading about them or going there is a definitely MUST. There’s only so much you can know by being in the same place all your life. The world is a lot larger than the small space we occupy (obviously) and it’s your God-given right to explore (why else would we have such glorious senses?) Anyway, once the teleporting is sorted, I’ll be all up for globe trotting, but until then, I’ll stick with the books.
differentshadesofbrown 