What I Learned From Travel Writing
As an avid traveler, writer and idea catcher, it was only natural that I should fall into travel writing as one of my key writing areas. I see stories wherever I go, but most of all I see people and experiences.
The Global Jigsaw
Like the wonder of the blog tapestry and the world we explore as writers, the larger world tapestry is one which continues to inspire me. Each of us is just one little piece of the global jigsaw. We are all part of humanity. Putting a face to humanity and interacting with people from all over the world is affirming.
It is a basic need of people to want to connect. I am convinced of the basic goodness of most people. The many random acts of kindness and genuine connections I’ve experienced while traveling all over the world attest to this. Some were in times of dire need. Others were more about connections and interactions. They are all memories I treasure.
Random Acts of Kindness
In 1980’s Beijing, pre boom days, we mentioned in passing to a local we were talking to, that it would be nice to have a meal in a restaurant not frequented by tourists, to experience the “real” China away from the hotel. Unbeknowns to us, this guy in his own time after work rode his push bike for about 45 minutes in below zero temperatures just to book a meal for us, as the restaurant didn’t have a phone. Our hotel advised us of the surprise booking.
What a guy! What a meal - a huge Chinese steamboat in a buzzing restaurant where we were the only non locals. What an experience! Most of all, though, I was blown away that someone would do that for us without expectation of reward. Steamboat is still one of my favorite Chinese meals today, partly because of that association. It’s that same sense of connection and generosity that I also experience daily in my life, in my writing interactions and in the blogosphere.
For someone who is curious by nature, writing and travel writing gives you “carte blanche” to ask questions and to get to know people and places better. Just by asking questions and talking to people as part of my travel writing, I’ve learned things and seen places I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
We are all fellow travelers in this world, whether in our own countries, overseas or interacting in the blogosphere. Travel well.
This post is part of the Middle Zone Musings - What I Learned From Travel Group Writing Project.
Yvonne,
Thanks for commenting on my 2000 Bloggers post. I absolutely adore your blog and have become a subscriber.
Vanessa
Vanessa - Thanks so much for subscribing. I was pleased to discover your blog too.
Yvonne,
What an inspiring post! Thanks so much for sharing that heartwarming tale of kindness and generosity from your travels in China! It’s wonderful to know that there are people like that in the world–and it’s even more wonderful when we are fortunate enough to meet them!
An excellent addition to the “What I Learned From Travel” Group Writing Project!
Jeanne
Jeanne - Thanks. Meeting new people and experiencing new things and places is one of the joys of life, which is why I love travel (and virtual travel) via the blogosphere.
That’s a great story. I love Chinese food (or at least the version we get in restaurants), but have never had “steamboat.” You’ll have to tell me what it contained.
Hi Laura - Sometimes it’s called a Hot Pot. It’s like a mini smorgasbord at your own table where you just pick and choose whatever you want. You cook all the food yourself in the steamboat… lots of fun. Here’s a Wikipedia link with pics of the Steamboat and the whole extravaganza.
Yvonne, this is a wonderful story! I love it when you run across something totally unexpected, and totally wonderful, while in unfamiliar territory. This world indeed consists of the most incredible tapestry of people!
Thanks Robert. Travel is such a broadening experience. I often wonder if people interacted outside their own circle and own familiar territory more, whether there would be more understanding and tolerance across the world, even if it made a small difference. I guess the blogosphere goes a long way to doing that. And of course, I just love to travel… anywhere.
“it would be nice to have a meal in a restaurant not frequented by tourists, to experience the “real” China away from the hotel”.
I do exactly the opposite.
Due to the various restrictions on my diet, I always look for Indian restaurants whereever i go and
luckily all the places i have been to (e.g. thailand, USA, UK, rest of europe) have plenty of them
Rajarmam - That’s really interesting. I hadn’t thought of it from that angle. Thanks for visiting.
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