Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“I am deadly serious.”
Then the crying began. And it didn't stop.
“Babe, I need to do this,” I explained, the passion that had been missing from my life
suddenly returned. I felt like Che driving out of that final scene and into the journey that
would forever change his life, and many others. It wasn't just about seeing the world any-
more; it was about bathing in its river.
“Why,” she cried. “Haven't you already done enough existential cliff diving?”
“Yes, but the last time, I did it for me.”
I stopped myself. I don't think I had quite realized it yet, but I didn't want this trip to be
about me. Honestly, I had had enough of me. I wanted it to be a part of something so much
bigger, something so much more important. I wanted it to be about you. Yes,
you
.
About all of us.
As I stood there trying to explain to the girlfriend who had just moved in why I now
needed to leave, I actually thought that I no longer needed a revolution in
my
life. Instead,
I yearned to create the ripples of Che's revolutionary spirit in others. It was about offering
people the type of gift that wouldn't just change them, but transform them in the way that
only kindness can. And through that transformation they would pass the torch to another,
lighting the world through our connections. “My trip is just that first spark,” I tried to ex-
plain to Lina.
She didn't reply at first, which was concerning. I honestly don't think there is a crueler
punishment on earth than silence. But finally she looked up at me, and asked the question I
had tried so diligently not to ask myself: “Oh Leon, will you ever be able to stop running?”
I had no answer for her.
After about an hour of tears and recriminations, I managed to persuade her that although
I was going to be away for up to six months, it would fly by quickly. She could see in my
eyes and by this time,
my
tears, that I felt destined to take this journey. I knew my feet were
taking me there. It wasn't a choice anymore.
“Just tell me this,” Lina finally asked, wiping away her tears, “Do you think you can
ever be happy . . . here?”
“Of course,” I replied with as much honesty as I could muster.
Lina looked at me and sighed, “Look, I am proud of you for wanting to change the
world, Leon. I just hope next time you can do it closer to home.”
Change the world? Apparently, Lina had very high expectations.
