- (c) Simon Howden
Occasionally someone asks if we’re keeping a journal of our adventures. Naturally, I direct them here, thinking this blog is a pretty fulsome account of our travels. Every once in a while I’m floored when they respond “Yeah, but are you writing it down?”
I admit that there is something unique about the printed word. It is tangible and real. Words written on papyrus 2,000 years ago are still being read today. 2,000 years from now, what will become of this? Nothing much, I expect.
But in some ways, digital media is more real than its predecessors. Eloquent prose of flowing script carefully written in a journal and tucked safely in a nightstand is absolutely tangible, it may even be beautiful; but it is almost certainly unread.
The Buddhist in me wants to ponder whether a story written but unseen has actually been told. I think the answer is no. Does that make it unreal?
EverywhereOnce, meanwhile, has gone global. This week one of the fastest growing travel brands in Asia, Take Me to Travel, featured us and our 24 Hours in Custer State Park post. Overnight, they introduced us to 150,000 of their followers, halfway around the world.
Two decades ago only the most accomplished writers could even hope for that kind of exposure. Today, thanks to the intangible vapors of the digital world, it is simply a beginning.
Everywhere Once 
Congratulations on your deserved fame. I hope it opens up new possibilities.
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Engaged readers like you is all I really hope for. Thanks for following along
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congratulations on your work! you are an inspiration to those of us who want to travel more.
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We hope to inspire. Recently we discovered that we need inspiration ourselves. It is easy to forget why we do this. It is so much easier to stay home. But once we get out there its hard to remember why we ever doubted the benefits.
Happy travels,
Brian
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Thank you. We hope to inspire others and ourselves. It’s easy to forget why we go and so much easier to stay home.
Sent from my iPhone
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“The Buddhist in me wants to ponder whether a story written but unseen has actually been told. I think the answer is no. Does that make it unreal?”
I love that. A few years ago I took my late mother-in-law’s journals and writings and turned them into a book. It has since found its way into cancer wards and other unexpected places, and people have been inspired by it. I wish she could have seen the reaction that her words have received.
Blogging gives us the opportunity to share our journeys with immediacy and to connect with others in our lifetime — a beautiful thing. Congrats to you on getting access to many more readers!
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Terrific story and comment. “Immediacy” is a good word. I try to immerse myself in the present. It is really the only thing we truly own. Connecting with people in our lifetimes is so much better than leaving it for posterity.
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Excellent. I’m glad that your travels received this positive recognition and exposure. I have enjoyed your blog. There is something to be said for “writing it down” – especially if your computer goes wonky as mine has within the past two weeks. But there’s no denying the immediacy of the blog and photos on it. Keep up the great work.
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It’s true. Digital words have the ability to vanish. We do try to back up all of our stuff, but nothing is fullproof. Transcribing or printing is too much of a PIA, and what would we do with thousands of photos. I think we’re stuck in a digital world with all of its benefits and drawbacks. I’m glad for what it offers. Even if my computer had some hickups this A.M. The ability to write this from a beach in Belize is pretty amazing.
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Congratulations! You deserve it, your stuff is good. I am constantly amazed where my blog goes, and who has read me. I randomly meet people who have read my blog, usually in the strangest places.
I can’t imagine what an extra 150,000 readers will do to yours. Way to go!
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Congratulations and well done! Well deserved, your blog is great! 🙂
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I just finished printing off my 2011 blogs. Yes, I have compulsive files in boxes of things that I have written, letters, e-mails, and now blogs from over the past 30 years. Some day, when we are not longer traveling and I am not writing new things, I shall sit, put on my classical music collection, and start reading… maybe.
Oscar
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Congrats! And I agree I think a blog is the better version of a journal. Not only can you re-read and recount your adventures but others also get to share in that and learn. Blogging is wonderful and now you can even convert your blog into your very own book if you want.
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