Synopsis: In 2005, HBO award winning producer Brook Silva-Braga left his job and spent a year traveling through 26 countries on 4 different continents. With film camera in tow, he interviewed two dozen solo travelers along the way. A Map for Saturday reveals the concept of traveling not just for a week, but for months or years at a time.
- Saturdays are a map to your life. Every day does feel like a lazy or action filled Saturday. Each day does not resemble the next, which removes routine. All my choices are not muted by daily life, they stare me right in the face. Long-term travel is my wake-up call to make authentic choices, ones that feel right. Avoidance and denial have no place here.
- Nobody is too old. Some days I have the energy of a 20 year old, while others leave me depleted and haggard. This causes me to question, am I nuts for wanting this existence? Brook met Will, a 73 year old cancer survivor with diabetes and a pharmaceutical arsenal he hauls around in a plastic bag. What is daunting, an insurmountable amount of factors doesn’t deter Will. He acknowledges that he could stay in a Hilton, but opts for the hostels so he can travel longer, further. Joy filled my soul when Will confirmed, “Yeah, I am 73 and backpack all over the world. Anyone can.” Suddenly, I can’t wait to be 73.
- Understand ourselves better. Brook’s film might only appeal to the long-term traveling audience, but this humble piece of cinema is a window into how everyone can navigate their confusing lives. The short relationships, negotiation frustrations, dorm awkwardness all amount to a few important lessons.
- Don’t let the future or past control you. Travel forces us to live in the moment. Why can’t this happen in our daily lives?
- Appreciate who you’ve met, for who they are. I’ve encountered so many people and simply accepted them. Why are so many of us judgemental?
- Community can make things happen. Corporate life and even North American existence is generally a competitive atmosphere. But, when you’re spending the day with a Cambodian who speaks moderate English, and your Khmer is beyond help, in order to get somewhere, you must work as a unit, and court patience. Why can’t we respect our differences and still work together?
- Dreams should be real. Brook captures reactions from his boss, co-workers, anyone close to him when he announces his trip. What I noticed was a degree of fear or envy in their faces, along with emotional support. Brook himself says people invent a list of reasons why not to do it, some based on assumptions. Whatever your dream is, make sure it’s attainable (no, you can’t suddenly be an astronaut) and as Brook gently asserts, anyone who’s ever done a trip of this magnitude claims they never regretted it. Shouldn’t old age be about peeking back fondly, not bitterly?
Filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga
In my opinion, this film isn’t just for travel lifers, but for anyone needing a jolt in their lives. You certainly learn the ins and outs of long-term travel, but like any art from, travel is a launching pad for a bigger lesson.
Grasp onto what makes you happy or indulge those yearnings before it’s too late.
Brook initially thought he would get a RTW trip out of his system and return to a desk job. What a surprise when he changed forever, that perhaps an entire outlook on who you are, how your life will play out can drastically alter.
The memories fade, Facebook status messages become grainy and far away, but you took a chance on something without worry or fear.
Marvel at those changes, but most importantly, own them proudly. I do.
To buy A Map for Saturday visit: www.amapforsaturday.com. His latest documentary, One Day in Africa is also available through this link.
Brook started a blog during his travels: http://fiftyweeks.blogspot.com.
Honorable mention: Thanks to Lauren of Globetrooper for turning me onto this film!
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Great outlook on the movie.
I love love LOVE this movie I own it & have seen it about 8 times. I am always trying to get friends & family to watch it. I feel the same way you do its not just for us backpackers this doc really can wake you up & show anyone that your dream is attainable if you go for it. The sad thing is out of the 10 people I have asked to watch it with me only one has said yes. I am currently preparing things to be able to do a year or more RTW trip & its like these people are amazed but in a way really don’t care. They don’t see the bigger picture like we do I guess.
I love love love this post, thanks for passing this along.
@Andi – It is! If you can get your hands on it, very worth viewing. :)
Wow, this film sounds incredible!!! I loved the little bullet points you made. I never thought about Saturday’s like that before, but I love it!
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