“I didn’t have a normal childhood, and that made me very happy”.
*Para mis lectores en español: Esta es una historia publicada en la página de In-Company Ec. La puedes leer en este link.
When my parents got married, mom turned her life around. As a merchant marine officer, her husband sailed to faraway places, for many months at a time. So, in order to live as a couple, mom quit her job and left to those long trips with dad.
During those trips, on the route Ecuador-Japan, I was conceived. I imagine my soul flying for miles over open sea to find me.
I didn’t have a normal childhood, and that made me very happy. We traveled a lot on board of cargo ships, up until it was time to go to school. It’s strange, it is hard for me to remember what I did last week, but I can’t forget some scents, the wind on my face, images of new cities and my brother’s mischiefs during that time of our lives.
When I started school, I woke up from my wonderful dream. Dad had to keep working abroad, and mom stayed home alone raising us. Many kids, even teachers, did not hesitate in labeling me as a liar. A girl who said that she traveled on big ships to faraway places, and that her father was at sea; when in reality, most likely her parents were divorced and all she wanted was to get attention.
It was a very hard change for me. I wanted to fly forever. I did not need anyone else in my life, only my family and travel. The world was too big to be trapped in a place full of people who mistreated me psychologically, day after day.
My soul felt trapped, restless and scared.
The only moments my soul was really at peace was when I was alone, or when I was traveling. That is my truth, up until this day.
When I travel, I feel such freedom, it’s hard to explain with words. My parents always said, that the best way to learn and grow as a person is traveling. Seeing new places, cultures, ways of life, and trying different kinds of food. It’s a way to enrich our heart and soul, because the world is too big, and each corner has its own charm, air and energy.
“Always try local food, talk to the locals, listen attentively all stories told by the elders, learn the history of the place you stand, breathe that air deeply because it will never feel the same again, learn another language so you can understand others and, above all, always respect the people around you, their habits and their history”.
Everything one learns by traveling, applies to our daily life: respect, knowledge, to eat everything that’s on your plate, adaptation, patience, tolerance, to enjoy moments and not possessions, to make friends, to appreciate loneliness, to try new things, to find beauty in simple things, to overcome fears, to value our health; and the most important thing: to find out what we are capable of.
When I die, my soul will be one hundred percent free again, and my ashes will fly through mountains. Until then, I will continue working hard in order to satisfy this traveler and restless soul.
MJ
Mi terapia es escribir. Me desahogo escribiendo sobre la vida, mis aficiones, aprendizajes, bienestar, historias, libros y recetas. También me hace feliz conectarme contigo.
Wow, what an amazing way to start your childhood! And I have to agree – you learn so much by travelling! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading and enjoying it! 🤗
Beautifully written. I think so many of us travelers feel this way as well.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it and share the feeling! 🤗