I don’t know why, but I really like this photo.
Actually, I do know why. It’s because just outside of the frame, was our hotel. The first hotel of three on our trip to Hawaii. So this photo reminds me of the first leg of journey. Which is always the best.
The beginning of the trip, when you feel so elated, so happy and hopeful. That feeling must be similar to having just dodged a bullet. It’s the feeling of having pulled it off, a successful escape, with only good things to look forward to.
I read or saw somewhere, can’t remember where* that one reason why people get kicks out of traveling is exactly that: the feeling of having escaped. You’ve broken out of your routine, fulfilled your dream of leaving your job (even if it’s just for a vacation) and that’s euphoric. It’s the modern human’s version of leaving a hunting area far from the home cave just before the big storms begin. Leave while you still can.
The term escapism carries a negative connotation. When I was at the peak of my busy traveling years, moving from Montpellier to Rimini, a stint in Paris, then Crete to Paris, Nice and Paris again, some people at home used to ask me what I was trying to run from. Like traveling the world was negative and I was obviously just trying to avoid thinking of my life’s troubles.
For me, it was never that. It was always positive escapism, so innocent and rosy-eyed. The euphoric kind.
Other travelers will understand.
(*if it was your blog, please tell me and I’ll credit you!)
The Snow Melts Somewhere 
40 replies on “Happiness From a Picture of Traffic Lights”
Not exactly a traveller, but I understand. And things like that sound like something my own compatriots would say (malcontents!). Speaking of which, the name of the street sounds slightly Finnish. Or is it just me. 😉
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Hmm, well, to me Hawaiian sounds and looks very different from Finnish! 🙂 I’ve also heard that Finnish can sound like Spanish! I’ll happily take both though, it feels more exotic that way! Why not! 😉
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The escape from routine and drudgery is what travel is about. Of course, the real art is to permanently escape without the need to travel. I suppose, make a life and living out of being creative. Easier said than done! Some people travel in their minds and that can be very rewarding too.
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Well said. This blog is for me a way to travel in my mind when I’m in between travels. And yes, I guess the real escape would be to be free to do what you want, be creative and decide your own fate. Few are that fortunate, but the rest of us, we can always dream…
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Oh, yes, I understand! I think of escapism as all positive, but that’s because I love to escape! I could see how some see it as avoidance, but maybe they just don’t get it. 🙂
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I’m glad you get it 🙂 For me, the idea of escaping to a paradise island with just a suitcase and high hopes is a happy thought, something to dream idly of. And maybe even realise, why not, right?! We only live once!
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I have to cut in here…this…Lex’s comment….is coming from someone whose blog title is: One Foot Out the Door!! I agree…getting out is good stuff.
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Hahah! Yeah, some people do get it! 😉 I’m happy about that
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Travel for me is escape to somewhere rather than from. I love the new experiences but those new experiences aren’t always welcome. Some are stressful and others fantastic. It is all a part of the experience.
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True – traveling isn’t always just a holiday. It can be tiring and stressful, but afterwards I still always feel like a winner! 🙂
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Absolutely agree. Those travel memories make the experience last so much longer than the trip itself! Are you like me in that you take thousands of photos as you travel?
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Oh yes, definitely!!! 😀
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It has nothing to do with escaping rather than with finding something more, finding that little tiny bit of happiness more. another reason to smile at life.
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Good point: more happiness, yes 🙂 I’d rather collect experiences and store them away in my head, than material possessions anyway. So wanting to explore more, there’s nothing wrong with that 🙂
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Same here!
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yep, that is really cool 🙂
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Thanks, that means a lot coming from you! 🙂
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Interesting to think of traveling as escapism. I never fell like I’m escaping! Any trip to me means exploring new places and stepping out of my comfort zone. I do however appreciate being away from all the responsibilities of everyday life while we are on a trip!
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Really interesting to hear so many different takes. So many ways to look at the same thing 🙂
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I share similar feelings with you. Learning the new things or be surprised. The excitement of traveling!
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I love being surprised when I go abroad. So many places feel pretty similar, globalized, so when I finally go somewhere that still has its local color, those are the best trips 🙂
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I like that photo as well, reminds me of our trip to Maui. It was so sweet:)
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Yes, Maui was the best!! 🙂
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I am an escapist escapologist 😀
Ciao
Sid
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Oh, that sounds good! Wait – are you escaping from escaping? 😉
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Yes 😀
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I do relate to that feeling of getting away, seeing new things, freedom to explore and recreate yourself far from your home environment and all those who think they know you.
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Good point, I’m glad you said that because that’s definitely one of the things I love about traveling – recreating yourself. It’s even more true when traveling alone. You can be someone else for a while, anyone. Or just anonymous, an observer. It can be liberating.
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I can see why you like this photo…it reminds me of the place. AND it looks like a very old photo from 35mm slide film. What else do we need to like a photo?
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The palm trees in the background help, too 😉
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Exactly!!
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I understand this more than I understand anything else about life. I can hear the voices of judgement and disapproval, drowned out by the voice that whispers: “Leave while you still can.” In ancient times that whisper may have been a reminder to search for safe haven, but those of us who hear it today take it as a reminder that life is finite. Do it now. I get very sad when I see tour busses filled with weary elderly people. Ghostly faces peering out of windows at the passing scenery.
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Exactly! Though I tend to think it’s rather nice that elderly people get out of the house and do tours. Maybe they were adventurous travelers when they were younger and now tours are just easier! But if those tours are the first time they are traveling and seeing the world then yes, I think that’s sad, too. Because of time lost and all those missed opportunities, but also because of the whole concept of tours… But we all do things our own way! Peace to us all!
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I didn’t mean to be judgmental of elderly people who take tours. Of course, it’s good that they’re doing something. Their faces always look so sad to me, though.
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I completely understand!! 😉
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Yes that first leg of the trip is always memorable!
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It’s the best!
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It really is, we are so excited and fresh when we start off! Love your post!
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I agree…travelling is never a negative thing for me, either. It’s always a very positive type of escapism. The thought of experiencing life in a new place is an exciting prospect.
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I agree. Maybe that’s why I like doing ordinary things abroad, like going to the grocery store. I get to try out being a local, even if just for a day!
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