Special travel moments
January 18th 2007 02:30
A special mention and hello to Lilla at An Ordinary Life. Her recent writings about her travels in Moscow inspired this article! Please head over and read her series;
Memories of a Marxist Moscow
Our travels provide us with amazing memories that are unique to each traveller. What may be special to some could be completely dismissed by others. We love to share the funny stories and the stories of complete co-incidence. We stumble upon treasures and bring them home as eternal reminders of our adventures. Even better we capture the time in photos and step back each time we look at them.
Apart from one trip I have always travelled alone so my camera is my travelling companion. I took so many photos on my first big trip I literally had a bag full of rolls of film. Despite digital technology now being available I can’t bear to update and be unfaithful to my trusty SLR! But one I do know is those photos never entertain people as much as they do me.
When I look at my photos I step back to that time. I can hear the sounds. I remember the weather. It makes me think of the hotel I stayed in, the people around me at the time. All it can conjure to someone else looking at it is a landscape or a building. I also used to have “camera free days”. On these days I would let my companion rest and wander out to experience a day that could just remain in my memories. It also allowed me to take a smaller bag!
Of course there are some moments no camera can capture. They are those small amazing moments where you really taste the magic life can offer. They don’t always seem magic but they are the ones you would never swap and they are the ones you will always remember.
Here’s a list of some of my special memories;
Stopping to sit in the shade at The Forum in Rome and realising that the “rock” I was sitting on was actually part of a collapsed column that once stood majestically over Caesar and his politicians.
Stepping out of the way of scurrying tourists who, having seen the Sistine Chapel, were now busy getting out of the Vatican. A small glass case catches my eye. When I look closer it is a piece of moon rock bought back from the first landing in 1969.
Arriving dehydrated at the peak of Corniglia, half way through the Cinque Terra hike in Northern Italy and finding amongst the corrugated iron “shacks” a café. Then sitting and drinking the coldest lemonade with a slice of panettone while I looked over the amazing view.
Having the Stirling battlefield peak to myself and imaging what the battle was like. Then going into the museum to see a Lego model of the battles key moments!
Organising to be on a three-island cruise of the west coast of Scotland only to wake up to a foggy rainy day, which meant all I saw of the first island was what I could see through the window of my coach. I never made it to the second island, as the sea was so rough we couldn’t land. My memory of that island is a dark mass through the fog. Spent the trip to the third island vomiting over the edge of the boat with my shipmates and walked around the third island drenched. All added up to the funniest travel story I have and one my relatives and friends love!
Walking down Sauchiehall St in Glasgow and looking up at a perfect clear blue sky and smiling because everyone who had told me not to go to Glasgow were wrong!
I have hundreds more of these special moments but will leave it at that. Hope this makes you think of yours!
Memories of a Marxist Moscow
Our travels provide us with amazing memories that are unique to each traveller. What may be special to some could be completely dismissed by others. We love to share the funny stories and the stories of complete co-incidence. We stumble upon treasures and bring them home as eternal reminders of our adventures. Even better we capture the time in photos and step back each time we look at them.
Apart from one trip I have always travelled alone so my camera is my travelling companion. I took so many photos on my first big trip I literally had a bag full of rolls of film. Despite digital technology now being available I can’t bear to update and be unfaithful to my trusty SLR! But one I do know is those photos never entertain people as much as they do me.
When I look at my photos I step back to that time. I can hear the sounds. I remember the weather. It makes me think of the hotel I stayed in, the people around me at the time. All it can conjure to someone else looking at it is a landscape or a building. I also used to have “camera free days”. On these days I would let my companion rest and wander out to experience a day that could just remain in my memories. It also allowed me to take a smaller bag!
Of course there are some moments no camera can capture. They are those small amazing moments where you really taste the magic life can offer. They don’t always seem magic but they are the ones you would never swap and they are the ones you will always remember.
Here’s a list of some of my special memories;
Stopping to sit in the shade at The Forum in Rome and realising that the “rock” I was sitting on was actually part of a collapsed column that once stood majestically over Caesar and his politicians.
Stepping out of the way of scurrying tourists who, having seen the Sistine Chapel, were now busy getting out of the Vatican. A small glass case catches my eye. When I look closer it is a piece of moon rock bought back from the first landing in 1969.
Arriving dehydrated at the peak of Corniglia, half way through the Cinque Terra hike in Northern Italy and finding amongst the corrugated iron “shacks” a café. Then sitting and drinking the coldest lemonade with a slice of panettone while I looked over the amazing view.
Having the Stirling battlefield peak to myself and imaging what the battle was like. Then going into the museum to see a Lego model of the battles key moments!
Organising to be on a three-island cruise of the west coast of Scotland only to wake up to a foggy rainy day, which meant all I saw of the first island was what I could see through the window of my coach. I never made it to the second island, as the sea was so rough we couldn’t land. My memory of that island is a dark mass through the fog. Spent the trip to the third island vomiting over the edge of the boat with my shipmates and walked around the third island drenched. All added up to the funniest travel story I have and one my relatives and friends love!
Walking down Sauchiehall St in Glasgow and looking up at a perfect clear blue sky and smiling because everyone who had told me not to go to Glasgow were wrong!
I have hundreds more of these special moments but will leave it at that. Hope this makes you think of yours!
| 60 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Thank you for your thoughtful link. Knowing that i could inspire you is amazing and one of the best compliments I have ever had ...
I would love to read about one or two of these adventures from dawn to dusk [with pictures] if you ever get the time or inclination to take us "inside" the journey with you...
Some of them sound maazing and you just reminded me of a rather funny incident up in the Himalayas, with a monkey ... *lol* I will have to tell his story now I think?
thanks, you've inspired the inspirer,
*inspiring*
L