aaaahh road trips.
There’s just something about being on a bus or your own car, where sitting for hours until you arrive at your destination is the most calming thing ever.
Or maybe it is in my case, because the view of the countryside is just amazing.
A few days ago, I went on a spontaneous road trip (on a bus) with my friends to the Southern part of the province. Before any of that happened, I have been frustrated because I lost my iPod. I can’t find it anywhere and it seems, I can’t live without it. Or to be specific: music. Music is an integral part of life, and well, road trips.
I settled with my phone that have seen better days. I had just a few songs saved in it and the battery dies easily, but whatever.
On our way there, I sat alone while all my friends sat beside each other. I didn’t really mind, as a couple of strangers and STRANGE-errs took turns sitting beside me. It was fun to observe different kinds of human behavior while trying to listen to my “road trip playlist” through my faulty set of earphones.
Aside from my almost drug-addict-like dependency on my music, I also used to be the kind of girl who never fails to bring a camera wherever I go.
I think it came with the training of being part of the yearbook and photography club in high school, needing to document almost every special event that happens in the day, I used to lug my camera around with me everywhere.
This time however, I didn’t. I got tired of taking pictures of every single thing and every single person, and finally decided it’s time for me to stop hiding behind the camera.
So basically, during the trip, I had no “proper” music, no camera, no cellphone service, and most of all, NO WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTION. (A most common Cause-of-death of every annoying teenager.)
Nowadays, people go to places just so they could show off in social media sites.
The moment you pass by an amazing sunset or a great view of the beach or the mountains, there would automatically be somebody a few feet from you holding up their iPhones deciding which filter to use for their new post. (#youarenotheretoseethis)
Same goes if you’re eating something that’s really good, or really weird that couldn’t be found anywhere else, somebody around you is bound to find the area where their 3gs or wifi hot spots could be turned on. (#myfoodisbetterthanyours)
Of course I’d be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t do that as well, but sometimes, the instagram fad is starting to annoy me. I know it’s fun seeing posts about where you went, or what you ate or what you did, but it somehow defeats the purpose of travelling.
Traveling is about enjoying nature, and everything it has to offer. A moment to think, relax, and clear your mind.
In a way, I was thankful that we didn’t have internet during this trip. It feels so much better to socialize with your friends for real instead of on Facebook. You get to have meaningful conversations with them while appreciating the amazing view of the province and waiting for the sunset together.
There were no distractions of earphones to tune you out from the conversations, and there was no constant ding from your phone to tell you that somebody sent you a message. You learn to appreciate the view, the company you have, the silence, and even the small town kids who you realize, still play those nostalgic physical activities, rather than some silly iPad games.
Also, it felt liberating not having to bring your camera with you. Bringing your camera gives you this sort of responsibility to capture a moment, which in the end makes you unable to be part of it. Besides, if you left that assignment to others, you get the most accurate and amazing candid shots of yourself, experiencing the appreciation of the so-called life’s simple moments.
xx Gizel
(photos by my friends Marc, Kristine and Cleo, because I was keen on not holding a camera, and really participating in this trip. 😉 )
Related articles
- Check This Out Before Going On A Road Trip! (dayoftour.wordpress.com)
- One loves the sunset, when one is on a road trip – Montana, United States (travelpod.com)
- Road-trip for losing oneself (krishidesh.wordpress.com)
Find Gizel 