Off The Beaten Path | Daniel Joseph Pye
through some kind of time machine to an
older, perhaps more nostalgic Russia. One
moment that stuck out to me was when one
kind babushka initiated a conversation with
us as she sat nonchalantly outside of an old
church. She delved into the history of the site
and then curiously drew our attention to a
smaller, seemingly vacant church adjacent to
us. She reached into her pocket and presented
us with a key and gave us permission to enter,
unaccompanied and with her blessing. This
simple and seemingly more laid back lifestyle
practised away from modern and commercial
embellishments made for a refreshing
opportunity to take some time out.
Another memory that will forever remain
with me was a simple yet powerful moment
I experienced during my time in the Czech
Republic. I was walking around the streets
playing my guitar, enjoying the beautiful
weather when a homeless man approached me.
He started talking to me and I apologised for
my poor knowledge of the Czech language. He
immediately switched to English (which, for
the record, he spoke quite well). He wanted to
give me some money as a reward for playing
music that he liked. I was quite surprised
because standing before me was a man who
was probably ignored by so many people on
a daily basis and who needed this money so
much more than I. But it dawned on me
that humanity existed everywhere, despite the
difficult circumstances that may affect each of
us. His generosity and good nature confirmed
this and helped to open my eyes even more:
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The Travellist | Issue 4, 2016
we, as travellers, are so fortunate, yet we, as
travellers, often stumble across unfortunate
situations. Thus it’s up to every individual
whether to ignore it or delve a little deeper. I
remember leaving home for the first time as
a young adult, unsure of what to expect and
where I would end up. As I left the comfort of
familiar places to venture off into ambiguous,
less documented locations, I have learned to
shed my preconceptions of certain things and
to accept things as they presented themselves.
There are discrepancies between the rich and
poor, the restored and the forgotten places,
and the ideologies between different worlds. At
the end of the day, however, we are all unique
individuals. Who then are we to critique or
scold someone else if we haven’t lived every
single moment in their shoes? Who are we to
assume anything?
I have been able to witness poverty as well as
the impact of war on a physical and emotional
level. I have seen desperation, uncertainty, and
people in real need. In saying this, I am not
attempting to preach to the masses or sit on
a noble high horse. I am simply stating that
travel is not all about the glitz and the glamour.
Travel is about stepping into something new,
and that if you open your mind and heart you
can really appreciate things more and connect
with the world at a deeper level. Whatever your
goals, travel can always be a beautiful thing.
Writing about it and being able to share my
thoughts and experiences with you is just the
icing on the cake. For me, this journey will
never end.