It has been more than a year since I last wrote anything on here, let alone anything meaningful. That’s not to say that I haven’t been writing during that time, it simply hasn’t been posted here.
Today is my second full day in Athens and while I should be finalizing my essays for applying to Columbia Business School I find myself browsing through the thousands of photographs that I have taken during the first 2 weeks of my 4 week venture across much of Europe. Going through the photos reminds me of how I promised myself to make one drawing for each day–something I have not followed up on– and how there is simply so much to see in each place that I am visiting that to give even 15 minutes to one drawing often prevents me from seeing some amazing view or enjoying a great conversation with one of the many locals I have met along the way.
So far I don’t think it such a bad thing not to have followed up on my promise to myself. Traveling through so many different European cities in such a short time and by quite varied means is an incredible experience. It is incredible for a number of reasons. One of the most important of these is a topic I was discussing with Dave last night during dinner–how so many people often don’t think to answer “What do I want to do?” and “Where do I want to live/work?” To this point I could more or less answer the “what” (architecture, planning, teaching) as I continue to narrow in on just what work excites me. However, the “where” was a much more difficult answer since I often found myself romanticizing places I had never been. No more. Now I know that I am coming closer to know what parts of the western world I would want to live and work in.
And, I’m looking forward to seeing how this changes as I see more of the world in the coming years. Asia? South America? Africa? All those are places I am determined to get to in the next few years.
Here’s to travel as a stimulus for restarting things left behind.
