One of the borders that I believe Kapuscinski crosses and
speaks upon is the feelings and thoughts a person goes through when crossing a
border. Kapuscinski says on page
8, “I wonder what one experiences when one crosses the border. What does one
feel? What does one think? It must be a moment of great emotion, agitation,
tension.” I think this is a border that isn’t often thought of as a border.
Personally, I think that this border is one of the most
influential borders a person can cross. The feeling a person goes through when
crossing a border often times foreshadows the coming journey. The immense rush
of emotions that I encounter on every border I cross are feelings that I will
never forget, and it is these feelings that empower me to continue travel.
I will never forget the first time I flew and traveled
alone. Those feelings of the unknown were great. The nerves ran high, but I was
being fueled on this high. The near future was unforeseen. I wasn’t following a
guidebook or a tour guide. I was solely following my gut and intuition.
When I first landed, after already crossing the border of
flying alone, I had internationally crossed a border. The adrenaline and
excitement of the unknown was so great. I felt alive with every step I made off
the plane. When I inhaled the fresh air of the foreign land, it all felt so
surreal. I had made it.
I believe crossing of borders are to be embraced in all
aspects, physically, mentally, emotionally.
Brody, this is such an interesting and original take on the idea of borders! Every time I go back to England, there's a moment on the flight when I see the lights of the airport in London and I get overwhelmed with emotions; happiness, relief, and pure joy just spread through me and I get goose bumps, every single time. This isn't really a physical or mental border, it's an emotional one. I think the idea of a change in feelings as a border is a huge part of travel; emotions and feelings become attached to the experiences and memories we have and are a huge part of why we travel in the first place. What a great post, this really made me think!
ReplyDeleteAssuming that emotional borders are neither physical nor mental...
Delete;-)
Thanks for identifying this point from Kapuscinski, and I found your point about the emotional impact (one reiterated nicely by your comrade) powerful.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if part of the allure of travel isn't the comparison between those feelings we get upon the crossing of that first border and the constant reassessment and reflection of how we've now come, both physically and metaphorically (and, as you note, emotionally). The adrenaline and all that fades (to be picked up again, as you describe), upon the next experience, and as we settle in perhaps that complex blend of chemicals that our bodies produce makes us that much more receptive to what we're about to experience...
Brody,
ReplyDeleteI loved how you said that crossing borders evokes emotions of all kinds. It is a liberating feeling. You focused on the emotions one feels when crossing any kind of border and I have not seen that perspective in any other classmates' blog so far. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I, too, believe that crossing any kind of border is deeply emotional, no matter what circumstance. There is no emotion that one can take lightly when crossing. Anyone is free to feel what he or she thinks is right in that moment in time. Thank you for allowing me to experience your thoughts when reading your blog!
Brody,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that some of the most important borders that we cross are those that we feel. It is all too true now that I recall some of our travel writings and how the initial feelings of those travelers dictated the stories that they told. Emotions play a huge part in the role of not only the writer but also the traveler. As you said, your feelings of nervousness and excitement probably shaped the remainder of your journey in much the same fashion. It must have been exhilarating to rely solely on your instincts while traveling in a foreign land!
I liked the emotions you described here and I think it's an accurate way to think of crossing borders. One thing though, I think it would have been cool to read about some examples of borders that you crossed, and going more into your own personal experience.
ReplyDeleteBrody,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you described the feeling of crossing the border in a different way that I have never thought of before. I think that traveling across a border is one of the greatest feelings and I feel like many people take it for granted. I know every time I am traveling across a different state my family makes a big deal out of it. I think that's one reason why I love car rides because you can go through and kind of experience a bunch of places in a matter of a few hours. I really enjoyed your post!
You make a good point on emotions about crossing boarders. Not everyone is going to have the same emotions or feeling when crossing. Some my be excited to see new things and have a great experience and others may just be happy to get there and do the same things they have been doing as before.Your journal you make great points all around.
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