When going to China, I made my experience sacred mainly by keeping an open mind. I’ve always made sure not to have any real or solid thoughts when going somewhere new. I’ve always just found that it’s a bad idea. Even if I’ve ‘heard’ that something is some way from a book (No matter how scholarly and reliable it may be) that a country does ‘this or that’ like oh, even something as simple as types of cuisine, I still make sure not to actually expect it.
Not Even ’They eat Chinese food in China.’. Too much right there. Hey, Japan didn’t Eat much ‘Japanese Food’. Who’s to say China didn’t end up going the same way? They might only eat Curry bread, yogurt, and KFC these days for all I knew.
A friend that went to china said: “They eat Duck brain.”
Was I really expecting to eat duck brain? Not really. We were a large group of touristy type people, and honestly, I didn’t really care a long as they fed me.
In the end: I did get duck brain, and welcomed it with an open mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and everything I ate. Even f I didn’t like it, the experience was still enjoyable because I never failed to learn something new with each new bite.
Another example, I’ve been studying Japan and it’s culture my whole life. I know it’s history, I’ve read up on the etiquette, but it’s not like I thought that was the ONLY way things are done. Japan is as Diverse as America, just in different ways. I was prepared for anything and nothing at the same time, if that makes sense. I believe that’s why I have so much fun traveling. No matter what, I’m surprised, and because I don’t assume anything, it’s never bad. It’s not wonderful all the time, like the spitting thing in China, but I wasn’t not expecting it either. Superficial ‘Ew’, but because I’m fully aware China isn’t America, that’s fine with me.
I’m sure people have been doing it for a zillion years. And that’s pretty cool that they’re still spitting…..I wonder how many layers of spit there are?…I wonder if anyone else wonders about that?
Lots of learning opportunities.
Anyway, this made China a very pleasant experience for me.
The Book “The Art of Pilgrimage” was inspiringly great. There were several quotes that really made me think such as “The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is-It must be something you cannot possibly do.” From Henry Moore. I am in full agreement. The arts are great for that, and I’m grateful I’ve already found so many endless hobbies. Being bored isn't a possibility. Only boring people get bored, and my sister used to say to me when she was ten. You can keep working on your passion your entire life, and never have to stop. It’s invigorating.
The general content of the book, the travel advice, was fantastic. Especially that of making each trip sacred, such as taking the time every day to take everything in, and recording your experiences, feelings, and impressions in a little notebook.
Making a trip sacred, and not just a touristy thing is important. How else are going to learn anything? What you learn may not only be about the place you are visiting, but about yourself and other people, which is why one needs to make the trip sacred. Without doing so, sure, you may learn a few trivia facts about the Terracotta warriors and the old dynasties, but do you really find about yourself? Even if it’s something as seemingly unimportant as rekindling a passion for food and Food Travel writing? Even if you’ve just been inspired to draw a different type or tree, or learn that you really love sitting in temples. It may not seem relevant, or like much, but no matter what, you learn something.
I feel Learning is most sacred.
I made China sacred by taking the time to draw. Maybe it wasn’t what I physically saw most of the time, but I was drawing, which means I was inspired, and that hasn't stopped. I’m inspired to learn more, and go back.
