To Wander

To wander is to “walk or move in a leisurely, casual, or aimless way” (Oxford Dictionary), but according to the famous phrase, “not all those who wander are lost” (did you know that came from The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien? -I did not). You may often hear the term from people “wanderlust,” to explain the nature of being a restless traveler of the world. Wanderlust is a powerful desire to wander or travel and explore the world. The word comes from the German meaning to hike and lust and was often used in conjunction with the term journeyman.  

Sociologists consider those with wanderlust to seek “engagement with different cultural experiences” (P. Robinson, Tourism (2002) p. 196). Psychologists suggest wanderlust may reflect an intense urge for self-development by experiencing the unknown, confronting unforeseen challenges, getting to know unfamiliar cultures, ways of life and behaviors or may be driven by the desire to escape and leave behind depressive feelings of guilt, etc. 

I will admit I have never liked the term wanderlust. The phrase is overused. Especially by those in their 30s and 40s—I believe that generations lust to have wanderlust, but for most, the idea of experiencing the world is daunting and overwhelming. I feel like I have the ardent desire to travel the world, but my travels or wanderings have a schedule and a purpose—I do not wander the globe aimlessly. For me, to wander is to wonder. I want to wander to wonder many places. 

I have a list of places I would like to visit someday. The list grows constantly. Most of the places on my list have cultural significance or geographical beauty I want to explore. The reason I went to Greece was because of the cultural significance Greece has on the world. I wish to go back because it is my second home. I became myself when I was there, but there is so much more to see! There are thousands of islands to discover. When I saw the Oracles of Delphi I was underwhelmed. I remember commenting: “once you’ve seen a ruin, you’ve seen them all.” What a naive and ignorant comment! All the ruins are of significance to the Greeks and to the world. I need to go back and see many more ruins and dive into the Greek diaspora even farther. S’agapo Ellada. 

I want to see the geographical beauty of Iceland and Croatia—to climb the many mountainous cliffs. I desire to see the Northern Lights in Iceland and to experience a day with no darkness (I love light!) I am not interested in travelling to Italy or Mexico to party and eat (though I would like to go back to Italy to explore and eat—there is a lot of culture there, too.). I have no interest in going to Mexico or Canada. I am not really interested in Germany or England/Ireland/Scotland, though I would like to eat Breakfast at Wimbledon (that is a cultural experience, right?). Asian countries are too populous for my constitution. I would love to go to Africa and be amongst the people. My 80-something step-grandma went on an African safari last year, and now I want to go on an African Safari. After Hannah and Zach went to Aruba, I decided I need to go to view the beauty of the flamingos. I will admit I do get trip envy from other people’s trips, but I also get trip turnoff from people’s trips, lol. Is there a job where I can just travel around the world and explore? (I am researching a Digital Nomad Visa to return to Greece:😊.  

Although my cruise in November is for vacation, I am looking for cultural activities I can explore while I am on the Bahamian Islands. I am going snorkeling in a cove with the native sea life. I considered swimming with pigs (but I heard it is not very sanitary, so that was a no-go). I do want to drink a rum concoction in the Bahamas. Maybe bring some back! I have 40+ days left to decide what I want to do. Part of the intrigue of the cruise was to prove to others you can do things on your own—as a single person—you do not always have to have a companion. There is an element of the unknown because I have never been on a cruise before, and I have a million questions—my poor travel agent has heard most of them. The planner in me does not like the unknown. I like to have a plan and to implement that plan. This trip is going out on a limb for me. I have never traveled without a real itinerary. I do not plan everything, but I like to have an idea. Also, going on a cruise ship is going to be a cultural lesson. I have been doing research, and people who cruise often definitely are a niche group. People-watching them will be SO MUCH FUN. Although I am an introvert by nature, and I am looking forward to the peace and quiet, I also want to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people.  

While I do want to see the world, the United States is often overlooked in cultural exploration. There are places across the country I have never heard of that hold beauty and culture and deserve to be explored. I started reading a book called All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven which asserts the idea that we should explore the world around us. Recently, my neighbor and I have decided we are going to do this. We have a list of activities we want to do that neither of us have done before. We are slowly crossing them off. For instance, we went to a Tea Room and had tea and brunch. Two weekends ago, we went to a Gin & Absinthe Bar in Downtown Raleigh. The bar is considered a modern-day speakeasy. Absinthe tastes like Ouzo. We are planning to go axe throwing, an escape room (I have been to one before, but she never has), to eat different foods, and to read self-help books together. 

I have a bucket list of items I want to do. Many of those items are sports related. I would love to go to Lambeau and watch my Pack play a game, but it doesn’t have to be a game at Lambeau—just to be there would be amazing. I want to eat cheese curds and brats while tailgating there. I have already been to Arrowhead and Penn State to do those things, though I want to go to a White Out. I want to skydive. I want to see Kenny Chesney in concert. I want to attend the US Open (tennis). I want to climb to the top of the lighthouse at night to stargaze. I want to ride a donkey. I want to relax in hot springs. I want to refresh my French and ASL.  

A misconception of wandering/wanderlust is the mindset the wandering must be grand. You do not have to go to Egypt or Antartica to find beauty and culture. Sometimes, it is right around the corner. My Aunt, who lives in Las Vegas, recently posted about Mt. Charleston, which is about an hour outside of the city. She posted pictures of the mountainous glory and saw wild horses! How cool! She did not have to go far, and she had an amazing experience. I know North Carolina is full of those hidden gems. I would love to go to Mayberry (Mt. Airy). I remember going to Itasca County, Minnesota as a pre-teen and exploring the birthplace of Judy Garland. It was a very memorable experience. I walked down the Yellow Brick Road (recreation). I loved it, and I would go back there again.  

I looked up some hidden gems in North Carolina. Some of them I have heard of, and some others I have not. #1 on the list was at the NC History Museum. I love museums—there is so much to learn inside them. Often, they are inexpensive (the ones in Downtown Raleigh are FREE), and the exhibits change, so you are not always going to have the same experience. I loved the Immersive Van Gogh Museum, and that was an experience. Visit a State Park—they are often free/cheap. I noticed a lot of the things on the NC list do not cost anything. That is the nice part about living halfway between mountains and beaches. In the city of Raleigh, there are dozens of wolf statues around the city, and people are always looking to see if they can find them all. Some of them are interesting works of art. I also really want to see the wild horses in the Outer Banks—I have never really explored the Outer Banks. I need to explore my state more.  

I am sure every state has these lists of things to see. No state is boring. I joke Oklahoma is a place I would never want to live because it is flat and boring. On visits, I have been to Pow Wows, been on Route 66, and went to a HUGE Soda Pop Collection. I have been to Norman and seen the OU Football Field and the birthplace of SONIC (the restaurant). So, not boring.  

My point is: IF YOU LOOK, you can find something unique or exciting to explore. You do not have to take a big trip. You do not have to spend a lot of money. Find something that interests you. Go to a music festival. Go to a food festival. Learn a new dance. Do what you enjoy. Go on a scavenger hunt to learn more about your city. With the internet as a resource, there is tons of information in existence where you can find these types of attractions. Find the wanderlust in the things you are already doing. There is no reason to sit around watching tv (that is not always bad, but it should not be the bulk of the way we spend our time). Walk. Spend time in nature. Meditate. In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, in Travels with a Donkey, “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Sounds like a case of wanderlust if I have ever heard one. Those with wanderlust do not necessarily need to go anywhere in particular; they just do not care to stay in one spot. Sounds like me to me. I hate being sedentary.  

So, the idea of wondering is simple—the idea is to move to be moved. 

Let me know if you have any interesting places you have explored or want to explore. I would love to hear you wandering wonders.