Fear of the Unknown
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This is what T-minus two weeks looks like.
As I write, I’m on a BoltBus back to NYC. Snow is piling up. Traffic is crawling. Another Arctic Vortex, or whatever. Emily and the kids are snug at my parents in VA. I’m headed back to work (grumbling something that sounds like ‘money’).
I can’t help but think about the boat waiting for us in St. Maartin. I’ve never been there. I’ve been near there, but near and there are two very different things. Ironically, I’m less concerned driving through a blizzard, under dressed, heading to NYC, than I am about getting on this boat. (Did I mention I’m wearing deck shoes and I didn’t bring a hat or gloves? It’s January. I’m pathetically sentimental. Not always a good idea.)
I suppose it’s the fear of the unknown. I’ve been a long-time believer of demystifying the process. Whatever it is that seems overwhelming, complicated or unattainable: demystify it. Shine light on it. Break it down into small parts, small pieces you can make sense of. Everything big started small. Every brick wall has lots of bricks. Look at one brick.
I think this is a good place to give a shout out to people who have generously given of their time and expertise to help us better understand (demystify) what it is we’re trying to do and how to do it better:
Behan Gifford (Totem) writes an amazing and beautiful blog about her family's travels, which have taken them from Bainbridge, WA state to Thailand. Next stop: South Africa. She and her family have truly been an inspiration.
Pat Schulte (Bumfuzzle) – The ultimate Bum. He and his wife Ali and two kids have been out for over ten years, either on a boat, VW bus, or on some other nomadic journey. Not only is he a fantastic photographer, but he’s got a great wit and a willingness to teach and share. I’m honored he writes me back.
Mike Litzow (Galactic) Although he is scornful of Facebook, and thinks the internet is a fad, I love reading about Mike and his family's travels. They’re currently in the South Pacific headed to Patagonia. I deeply want to travel to Patagonia, so I’m excited continue learning from them.
As for the boat, it’s still being worked on in St. Maartin. I just ordered a part for our navigation system. It’s coming from New Zealand. So even though I’m crawling up I-95 at 25 mph and it’s snowing sideways, I’m feeling more connected to the world. And that’s a good thing.
