Welcome to Gypsy Wednesday! Every Wednesday, I’ll strive to highlight all the juicy morsels related to travel and beyond.
Keith Savage - The Man Himself
This week I’d like to introduce Keith Savage. When I began this quest to reconfigure my life, the unexpected happened – I met others who felt the same! For many months I carried around a horrible isolation. Since starting this site and interacting with others through social networking, shared kinships are forming at an astounding rate. Keith is one of these newly formed friends. His site offers dialogue, raises questions, and is littered with fabulous writing. He inspires me, hopefully he does the same for you.
Q: Tell us about your site, Traveling Savage.
A: Traveling Savage is a blog that I started in December 2009 to chronicle my plans to derail my life (that’s a good thing!) and serve as a venue for travel reports, travel tips, discussion, and other ephemera captured on the road. My travels will focus on experiential tourism, which is a type of travel that focuses on doing something active and integral to the local culture – not just going someplace to lounge around and hit the bars. I hope to show others how to “travel savagely” along the way. The blog is also a good way to keep me on task and moving toward my goal which is still several months in the future. I’m hugely impressed by the caliber of the travel writing community, and, ultimately, I hope to be a valuable voice contributing to it.
Q: Why do you love travel?
A: The Japanese have a great word for this: Ikigai. There’s no corollary in the English language, but it roughly translates to “that which you get up in the morning for.” I think travel is my ikigai – at least I’m hopeful it is. I love traveling because it increases my understanding of self and continually teaches me about the world. I feel it’s important to broaden my horizons by visiting other cultures and learning about their values and traditions. I also love the bare-bone excitement of visiting new places. Finally, I love the sense of history I feel at places like the Orkney Islands and the ancient Roman city of Conimbriga in Portugal. There’s something very powerful in visiting the past.
Q: What kind of advice would you give someone who wants to travel the world, but is scared or having doubts?
A: First, don’t silence your desires to travel the world. It’s not irresponsible or impossible or unrealistic. If it’s something you want to do, then plan for it and do it. With all of the tools available on the internet it’s never been easier to shake your doubts and fears and start seeing the world. Far too many times have my great ideas been the victim of my internal devil’s advocate, quickly disregarding things that could have made me happier in the long run. Realize when you’re prematurely killing these ideas. Begin creating a plan to make your desires a reality, and start with small, easily achievable goals so you can build up some confidence and satisfaction. There are a couple points in time when it’s easier to make the decision to travel the world, like after college or at retirement, but with some dedication you can make it happen at any time. Take me for example: I have a house, a steady job, and a wife and we’re making my plans work.
Q: What was your best travel moment?
Keith Conquering Corniglia
A: I was hiking the hills between towns in the Cinque Terre, and as I crested a hillock layered with olive and lemon groves the town of Corniglia appeared far below situated on a rocky promontory. The beauty of the place from on high was only matched by the splendor at street-level, with alleys and streets seeming to disappear into the ocean. I have got to get back there!
Q: Worst travel moment?
A: A month after I graduated college I went on my first overseas trip to Europe with a college buddy. We were to see Ireland and Scotland together, and then I’d proceed on my own to England, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It was a three-week trip that I romantically envisioned to be a great discovery of self. The night before we flew out I managed to come down with a nasty head cold. I soldiered on and we saw Dublin, Galway, the west coast of Ireland, and Edinburgh in the span of a week as my illness steadily worsened. He flew home and I traveled into the Scottish highlands on my own. I was immediately struck with homesickness (on top of my actual sickness). Suddenly, the mental images of me exploring cities and talking to locals seemed laughably naive. I managed to make it three more days before I decided to purchase a new ticket home. I felt like crap and wasn’t having fun, and so ended my first trip to Europe. I vowed not to travel solo until I was older and more sure of myself, and it looks like that time is fast approaching.
Q: Finally, if you could pick 5 people to travel with (dead or alive) who would they be?
A: That’s a tough one. First off I’d go with Bear Grylls because he seems like an all-around good guy and jack-of-all-trades when danger strikes. Bear would definitely bolster the courage of our entourage when we head into wild territory. Next, I’d dial up Thom Yorke of Radiohead. I could stomach his snarky sensitivity with an equal measure of eco-awareness and late night acoustic Radiohead jams. Plus, he’s sort of a musical god to me. Anthony Bourdain would make this list. He fits the archetypal wise-cracking excellent chef to a tee (you know, that archetype) and could be our three-star Michelin restaurant hound. Rounding out the group would be Viggo Mortensen. I’m a little embarrassed to say I’m a fanboy, but he’s also a multi-talented thespian as a photographer, painter, writer, and actor. Finally, I’d bring my wife Sarah. If home is where the heart is then I’d always be at home on the road with her along for the ride. We’ve been on many trips together over the years and I couldn’t ask for a better travel companion.
That was Keith Savage, folks. I support the Thom Yorke choice! A surly, homely rock god would keep it interesting. Visit his website at www.traveling-savage.com.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Grrrl – always glad when you park a comment here. He was a great interview. I anticipated solid answers, but he delivered above and beyond. Hopefully you’ll be up for an interview someday. :)
Nice interview! I like the part where Keith says not to silence the desires but to plan for it. Just as the devil’s advocate can lure us into not following our desires, he can also be used to create ways for us to recover them or make excuses to have them. ;-)
@Keith (Traveling Savage) – So true. My reluctance to share with others except close friends is related to your statement – this idea is not fully accepted in our society. It’s been a relief to know I’m not alone on the island.
@Lauren – Thanks! Exactly why I sought out the interview. While many harbour these desires, they are frightened to act on them. Glad this cemented some things for you. :)
I think the travel blogging community is really key for those of us looking to make this switch. This idea is not fully accepted in our society – yet – and the supportive voices of others who are looking to do the same thing or have done it already are so powerful.
Very cool interview! It’s reassuring to know that others going through this “derailment” felt a sense of isolation before discovering their “tribes.” Every time I read an interview like this, it further solidifies my decision to pursue lifestyle design.