World traveller, explorer and believer in the good of humans, Amy Gigi Alexander is undertaking what could perhaps be the longest journey of her life—a journey that could very well take ten years or more, and she has no address to come back to, unlike most of us who travel.
This July, Alexander sold off everything she owned, gave up her full-time job as a preschool teacher, re-homed her cat and set out to do what she knows best: travel and write.
Her work has been published in numerous literary magazines as well as in National Geographic India, BBC Travel, World Hum, Lonely Planet, amongst others. Her award-winning travel essays have been translated and published internationally, and her work has been featured in several anthologies.
Alexander began travelling the world in her thirties, motivated by a desire to change her life, overcome obstacles, help others, and hear the stories of everyday people. She writes tales of places interwoven with memoir and social commentary, fiction, and personal essays.
You are about to embark on a journey that could possibly take years to finish. At what point did you decide that you were ready for this?
I travelled long term for many years, but not as a travel writer. Two years ago, when I shared my writing with the world for the first time, I knew that eventually I would have to give myself totally to the life of a travel writer eventually. I was encouraged by my readers and editors to let go of my old life from the moment I began publishing. I think it took full two years to overcome the fear and follow my passion. I think in part this was because I knew the journey has no immediate end: it’s a permanent lifestyle, at least for the next ten years.
I'm not sure one is ever ready. You just leap.
So what do the next few years look like for you?
Well there is a lot of teaching and travelling, and of course, writing three books that I have been commissioned. I start with Canada, move on to Ireland and then the South of France, London, Patagonia, Latin America, Bhutan and then India (I am writing a book about Varanasi). This is roughly my itinerary until January 2017.
What were the challenges while plotting your itinerary? How do you balance adventure with structure?
It's difficult to think about travelling long term without end, so I arrange stays of several months with friends now and again. I also give chunks of time to working with children's programs—children are wonderful balancers. I think it is better to see less destinations and stay longer in the places you go so that you don't exhaust yourself—and you get a chance to experience what the place is, rather than relying on first impressions.
This year I'm walking across part of Newfoundland solo, and then spending three months in Patagonia experiencing the great outdoors. These kinds of epic adventures are followed by quiet, reflective times. There are times I throw myself into the moment, and there are times to pull back.
We all need a constant in our life—no matter what we do. What is your constant?
One of the things that was hardest for me to let go of was a sense of home—a place I belong. As I began getting rid of all of my possessions, I realized my home is not a physical place. It is my words, my stories, the people I meet. My constant is writing.
This one way ticket to the world. Who would you recommend it to?
I would recommend it to anyone, for at least a short time. There is nothing like leaving your comfort zone for a few months. It doesn't have to be years.
I also think for women my age—I'm 45—traveling can be liberating and cathartic. The world is held up by a vast infrastructure of women, and there's nothing quite like witnessing that sisterhood in action as a traveler. Travel makes you both vulnerable and strong. You return to your old life refreshed, curious, and appreciative.
What do you look for when you travel? What dimensions of you did travelling unravel?
When I travel, I am always looking for commonality, for no matter where you go, we are one human family. Despite cultural and language differences, we feel the same way about many things. This gives me great comfort when I am someplace new!
When I first started travelling I was very afraid, and had terrible panic attacks. But slowly I overcame those fears, and became a confident risk taker. I also was never someone who enjoyed the outdoors, and now I love hiking and camping alone. My life before travel was very closed and private, and now I am open and spontaneous, sharing my travel stories with the world.
I recall the first time I went to India, and how people would ask me why I loved it so. I always said, "It is not that I love India. It is that I love who it calls me to be." Every time we go somewhere new, there is a calling. If we hear it, we have the chance to grow. If we ignore it, we shrink. Travel requires courage and an open mind. Luckily, these are characteristics we can learn.
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