Tommy, I cherish traveling with you on Saturday mornings. ❤️. It’s an unknown journey at the start and by the end I’m relishing the experience. Thank you for allowing us to be with you through your writing.
Today I thought this to be particularly beautiful:
“While seeing new countries has taught me about the inexhaustible variety of life and unity of the human experience—how all people love and cry, laugh and eat, worry and die—the same education can be found at home, if I choose to look at what I had previously only seen.”
Thanks, Tommy. This is a great piece and definitely pulls at my heartstrings.
"I could become a full-grown man, but never grow up."
Ain't that the truth, eh? Sometimes I wonder about myself.
I travelled from west-coast Canada to South-east Asia back in 1990 - when I was 20 years old - and spent 6 months backpacking across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. I fell in love with the region and the people.
Growing up in a town of 60 people, the sheer mass of humanity, and differences in culture, religion, and ways of living changed my way of thinking - and my path in life.
If you are in Phuket, head north, up the Andaman coast, through Phangnga and to Ranong province. This is my favourite part of Thailand - snuggled right up against the Myanmar border. Koh Phayam is like the "old Thailand" - laid back and quiet. I spent 5 years living and working in Bangkok with my family (2017-2022 - yes, during Covid) and our favourite places to visit were/are Phangnga and Ranong.
It seems that every time I leave the comfort of my own home I contemplate the same questions, and though I haven’t settled on an answer, I agree with the embracement of discomfort and the avoidance of complacency.
I also find myself longing for some sort of sub-journey. Leaving home is step one of the journey, and it seems that when I land elsewhere I still need something to channel my energy toward. Walking the streets of over-toured cities doesn’t cut it for me. Maybe something else, like exploring foreign wilderness, staying at a surf hostel, or committing to other lessons of strong cultural identity.
It seems that, on your travels, you have committed tons of time to specific purpose, such as reading and writing, and (indirect or direct) personal development. Would you agree? How do these purposeful activities weigh into your reasons for travel?
I travel because it makes me happy…travel with the sense of wonder…by discovering new places and people, you discover yourself…coming back from a trip you are never the same person again… going back to the same countries is when the discovery really starts…that sunset photo is surreal!
beautiful! have felt similar thoughts in the past and this is a lovely post. v inspiring, makes me want to flesh out my thoughts around travel and my relationship with it as well!
Love this. So true-we have to force ourselves outside of what’s comfortable. Very deep. Your articles always make me think and give me a different way of looking at things. Thanks for sharing your talent and thoughts with us.
Loved this :) … of course anything on travel I’m interested to hear but this is a great perspective. Travel can be so many things but unfortunately, as you point out, I think so many people do it wrong and for the wrong reasons. Very easy to see when you stay in a hostel from overhearing conversations and witnessing interactions. I love that you know why you travel and are listening to your internal compass, not what’s popular with your peers. Great essay as always, I anticipate these writings with excitement every week!
I love your writing Tommy. I decided to start traveling because I couldn’t remember what my life consisted of in the months, weeks or even days prior. My life had turned into a single monotonous memory that kept replaying over and over. I find that the discomfort that comes with traveling forces you to snap out of autopilot. I’d much rather live uncomfortable than not live at all.
Tommy! Living the dream in Thailand and beyond. There has to be some Irish dna in the Dixon clan. Travelling is part of our culture. A lot of us never came back!😂This piece reveals a little more of you and your urge to mature into a man that will leave his mark on the world. Your family must be very proud of you. Great insights are always on display in your writings, Tommy. Even more so today. As I said when we first Metin Substack, I fire on all cylinders when travelling. Sounds like you are doing the same, and getting Olympian standard fit in the process!! Inspirational, my friend. I’m
Tommy, I cherish traveling with you on Saturday mornings. ❤️. It’s an unknown journey at the start and by the end I’m relishing the experience. Thank you for allowing us to be with you through your writing.
Today I thought this to be particularly beautiful:
“While seeing new countries has taught me about the inexhaustible variety of life and unity of the human experience—how all people love and cry, laugh and eat, worry and die—the same education can be found at home, if I choose to look at what I had previously only seen.”
Thanks, Tommy. This is a great piece and definitely pulls at my heartstrings.
"I could become a full-grown man, but never grow up."
Ain't that the truth, eh? Sometimes I wonder about myself.
I travelled from west-coast Canada to South-east Asia back in 1990 - when I was 20 years old - and spent 6 months backpacking across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. I fell in love with the region and the people.
Growing up in a town of 60 people, the sheer mass of humanity, and differences in culture, religion, and ways of living changed my way of thinking - and my path in life.
If you are in Phuket, head north, up the Andaman coast, through Phangnga and to Ranong province. This is my favourite part of Thailand - snuggled right up against the Myanmar border. Koh Phayam is like the "old Thailand" - laid back and quiet. I spent 5 years living and working in Bangkok with my family (2017-2022 - yes, during Covid) and our favourite places to visit were/are Phangnga and Ranong.
Great perspective, thanks Tommy.
It seems that every time I leave the comfort of my own home I contemplate the same questions, and though I haven’t settled on an answer, I agree with the embracement of discomfort and the avoidance of complacency.
I also find myself longing for some sort of sub-journey. Leaving home is step one of the journey, and it seems that when I land elsewhere I still need something to channel my energy toward. Walking the streets of over-toured cities doesn’t cut it for me. Maybe something else, like exploring foreign wilderness, staying at a surf hostel, or committing to other lessons of strong cultural identity.
It seems that, on your travels, you have committed tons of time to specific purpose, such as reading and writing, and (indirect or direct) personal development. Would you agree? How do these purposeful activities weigh into your reasons for travel?
I travel because it makes me happy…travel with the sense of wonder…by discovering new places and people, you discover yourself…coming back from a trip you are never the same person again… going back to the same countries is when the discovery really starts…that sunset photo is surreal!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and love your perspective.
we travel to grow
beautiful! have felt similar thoughts in the past and this is a lovely post. v inspiring, makes me want to flesh out my thoughts around travel and my relationship with it as well!
Love this. So true-we have to force ourselves outside of what’s comfortable. Very deep. Your articles always make me think and give me a different way of looking at things. Thanks for sharing your talent and thoughts with us.
Nicely done, TD
I understand your reason well, and it seems quite in line with my own.
Loved this :) … of course anything on travel I’m interested to hear but this is a great perspective. Travel can be so many things but unfortunately, as you point out, I think so many people do it wrong and for the wrong reasons. Very easy to see when you stay in a hostel from overhearing conversations and witnessing interactions. I love that you know why you travel and are listening to your internal compass, not what’s popular with your peers. Great essay as always, I anticipate these writings with excitement every week!
I love your writing Tommy. I decided to start traveling because I couldn’t remember what my life consisted of in the months, weeks or even days prior. My life had turned into a single monotonous memory that kept replaying over and over. I find that the discomfort that comes with traveling forces you to snap out of autopilot. I’d much rather live uncomfortable than not live at all.
‘I could become a full grown man, but never grow up.’
Common sense is most uncommon!
Great comment, James. I wish you well.
Tommy! Living the dream in Thailand and beyond. There has to be some Irish dna in the Dixon clan. Travelling is part of our culture. A lot of us never came back!😂This piece reveals a little more of you and your urge to mature into a man that will leave his mark on the world. Your family must be very proud of you. Great insights are always on display in your writings, Tommy. Even more so today. As I said when we first Metin Substack, I fire on all cylinders when travelling. Sounds like you are doing the same, and getting Olympian standard fit in the process!! Inspirational, my friend. I’m
The road less traveled
Offers sunsets seldom seen
Weighed down with our past
Fear of the future
Sees the now is missed
Know what I mean
Keep going Tommy.
This was a remarkable read. 👏✍️