Adventure is a state of being and philosophy of life and they need not be elaborate or exotic, distant or remote, life-threatening, or foolhardy. They can be done just about anywhere by anyone.
I was staying in a tented camp in Tanzania. The camp was situated above a small river, and my tent directly over the larger watering hole. A herd of about 13 elephants - a breeding herd, there were babies, adolescents, mini-matriarchs, and the matriarch - stopped to drink. They were there for an hour, and I watched from above completely enthralled by how they cared for each other. They drank, they sprayed themselves, and moved on. That hour of peaceful watching was an adventure, unexpected and pure.
That sounds so awesome! One of my dream destinations is Tanzania, mainly to visit Olduvai Gorge, but also to witness those incredible wildlife experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Olduvai Gorge - I was there on my first trip to Tanzania, and there was no infrastructure anywhere other than a kind of unisex outhouse hole in the ground which I found out of necessity. Now, there's a museum about six kilometers from the actual monument. You need an official guide to visit the excavations - protection from vandalism and theft. You need to go, Justin. Tanzania is an amazing country, I've been a couple of times and would pack and go again tomorrow if I could. It takes a bit more planning (vaccinations are essential) but I'm ready and willing.
I felt similarly working on my MA thesis but if I'm honest it also felt like a bewildering misadventure at times too. Ha! Still happy to have done it though. Glad to hear you enjoyed this. Thanks for the feedback Yasmin! :)
You have worked hard to come out of your shell and interact with people in all sorts of situations. It is good to hear how rewarding this has been for you and good example for the rest of us. Placing ourselves in situations that make us slightly uncomfortable or nervous helps us grow.
I was staying in a tented camp in Tanzania. The camp was situated above a small river, and my tent directly over the larger watering hole. A herd of about 13 elephants - a breeding herd, there were babies, adolescents, mini-matriarchs, and the matriarch - stopped to drink. They were there for an hour, and I watched from above completely enthralled by how they cared for each other. They drank, they sprayed themselves, and moved on. That hour of peaceful watching was an adventure, unexpected and pure.
That sounds so awesome! One of my dream destinations is Tanzania, mainly to visit Olduvai Gorge, but also to witness those incredible wildlife experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Olduvai Gorge - I was there on my first trip to Tanzania, and there was no infrastructure anywhere other than a kind of unisex outhouse hole in the ground which I found out of necessity. Now, there's a museum about six kilometers from the actual monument. You need an official guide to visit the excavations - protection from vandalism and theft. You need to go, Justin. Tanzania is an amazing country, I've been a couple of times and would pack and go again tomorrow if I could. It takes a bit more planning (vaccinations are essential) but I'm ready and willing.
Thank you for the insights! I've moved it up higher on my travel list now. :)
Once again your post resonates with me:
'we should view [adventure] more in terms of a mindset, perspective, philosophy of life, or form of experiencing...'
It's funny, but I viewed starting my PhD three years ago as a bit of an adventure. I entered the unknown, and found a whole new world!
I felt similarly working on my MA thesis but if I'm honest it also felt like a bewildering misadventure at times too. Ha! Still happy to have done it though. Glad to hear you enjoyed this. Thanks for the feedback Yasmin! :)
You have worked hard to come out of your shell and interact with people in all sorts of situations. It is good to hear how rewarding this has been for you and good example for the rest of us. Placing ourselves in situations that make us slightly uncomfortable or nervous helps us grow.