Originally Posted September 12, 2013
Two years have passed and the unrelenting mistress of time has carried on. People have changed. Life has kept on. Yet, during a year of study, beneath the mask of everyday life was a young man’s soul yearning to be set free. A soul held dormant beneath the gravity of necessary sacrifice. The only hint of truth existed in his eyes upon the horizon. The open road a tantalizing invitation, but still a dangling carrot, a mirage of future endeavour. Held by the chains of obligation, our hero was forced to acquire a very cumbersome piece of paper. But this time was not wasted, o no. This was an opportunity to look forward, to plan the pursuit of life, to seek inspiration. Europe the destination, the means a mystery. The clock ticked to the tune of textbooks and taboos. As many a youth, the approaching conclusion was a relentless current as if on a helpless raft towards a waterfall mistaken for the end of the world. But in this end was a silver lining. It was only just the beginning. It was the re-birth of The Traveling Gentleman.
Research speculation led to idea formulation that created plea negotiation and ended with real expectation. Thoughts wrestled from the sub-conscious by sheer will and formulated into reality. He had determined his means, he had found a purpose. Dreams being realized at such pace that sleep was no longer a requirement for their experience. The sands of time yet again an enemy as moments were wanting to be held, but only to slip through wanting fingers. Though the moment’s material nature was lost, the memory lives on in an appreciated and persisting friendship. Unwilling to look backwards, this traveler carried on, on towards an inevitable reunion. She had been waiting. Returned was he to continue a chapter of life that seemed unfinished, pages torn from a storied epic. Fear not, he was back in London.
It was a year to be remembered. Fixie’s and flat whites, whisky and long nights. This was not just a city. It was a heartbeat delivering the blood of culture into the veins of existence. Constantly beating to the rhythm of new experiences. Where a human is free to grow on personal accord. Where creativity is granted the freedom of expression. A bulk of experiences not to be disrespected by the empty notion that they could be summed up in five hundred words or less. This was a story of resulting emotion and self-realization. Relationships made and not soon to be forgotten. A city and a consciousness that will forever change the landscape of the young man’s being.
But alas, it was not enough. Thoughts forever circling, searching for a landing strip in the fog of present happenstance. He was in search of a feeling. In search of a moment. It was not to be stumbled upon. It was to be discovered. Only available through the gateway known as the open road. Onward. Forward. Incessantly advancing no matter the circumstance. Unable or unwilling to exist in quiescence; it remains an ongoing mystery. Yet always lingering was his patient vixen. Always in the back of his mind, surviving only from a steady diet of spur of the moments and looking forwards. It was his damsel in distress. It was Travel.
On was this Traveling Gentleman towards what could only be an introverted adventure. The honesty in a landscape, the sincerity in a moonscape, the veracity of a seascape. These were the only truths worthy of speculation. No longer wanting to be subject to his own mercurial state. Onwards was he towards that thoughtful moment. The moment dreamed about as a young man, yearning to be set free.
This is my first blog after returning from a two-year hiatus. As you may have gathered, the first year was my return to Canada to finish my university degree. The second year was spent in London where quite frankly and unfortunately, I did not find the time to regularly update this blog. I have now, however, found myself in an extremely privileged window where I am able to travel before returning to a full time job in Canada. Therefore not only are my days filled with inspiration for writing, but I have time to put them down on paper and share with you. This post was meant merely as a welcome back and a refresher as to what you can expect from my writings. In other words, thanks for taking the time to read again Grandma. I will be posting a blog soon about my time over the past year in France and England and to arrive at the present day in Portugal.
In this moment I am sitting on a balcony in my temporary home of Ferragudo, Portugal viewing a beautiful sunset to the west with a smile on my face. This is not a statement to provoke feelings of jealousy, but only as a personal reminder of the future that awaits me back in Canada. I hope to make the most of this fortunate opportunity that I find myself in and to experience memories worthy of repetition in this blog.
I thank you for returning to view my words and I hope I can interest you for weeks to come.
I hope you are all well.
Take care.
No Regrets.
Pete