Feature Article About A Travel-2
An Experience is Always Good
Marcus Ekarana (Kyoto Institute of Culture & Language, 2010-, Sweden)
I have been kindly asked to write a little about myself and my travels. My name is Marcus and I am born, and have lived for most of my 21 years, in Stockholm, Sweden and have fairly recently come to Japan and lived here for about a year. I have had many interests over the years such as rugby, martial arts and reading. But one of all my interests has followed me like my own shadow throughout the years. Languages.
Speaking and understanding foreign languages has always intrigued me and I picked up small phrases of English when I traveled with my grandparents in my pre-school years. Receiving praise and amused smiles from the kind people of the places we went to was enough to fuel my interest throughout the early school years. In my teens I started to travel alone to different places and got to use and exercise the English and Spanish I had been studying. I realized what my mother’s intentions might have been when she encouraged my language studies. Being able to speak and understand a foreign language, even if only a little, does not only help you get by but also makes the very thought of travelling a more enjoyable experience.
During high school I decided that studying Swedish, English and Spanish was not enough to get by all over the world, even though knowing two languages that an incredible amount of people know or at least understand would let me get by on most continents. I looked at the list of the Asian languages available at my school and applied for the Japanese classes which directed my gaze towards Japan, studied for three years at high school and continued a year at the university before departing the greatest adventure in my life. Coming to Japan.
When it comes to travel there are of course a multitude of views, mental images and concepts which meaning and design that surely varies depending on the different experiences a person may possess. In my case traveling has become something more than taking myself from point A to point B do X amount of activities before returning to point A. I have come to view traveling as something like a, as silly as it may sound, modern way of adventuring. When you read books of great adventures such as the Odysseys or Lord of the Rings etc. you have the element of progression of both action and character through travel. I believe that travel is not only a way to spend a vacation on a comfortable place but also a way of getting to know more about different cultures, different people and oneself. Because through the reactions and experiences you attain during your travels you will get to know how you feel, react and think in situations outside your everyday life and I believe that through that you will use those experiences to mature, though that is not automatic I’m afraid.
Gathering experiences whilst traveling is not only a thing only oneself and one’s companions can enjoy but when either returning to point A or moving on to the next place you can still tell stories of special events of your travels to the people you meet on the way and in turn you could also get to hear one or two stories related to your own. Being able to share one’s experiences might be a wonderful way to get closer with the people around you, if told in moderate amounts. I have been told by family and friends that I should write it all down, but as I am the person not knowing where to start I have not taken that up, yet. However I believe it could be an interesting way to record one’s adventures and be able to reminisce when one’s memory does not serve as it did once. I remember sitting by the table in the living room with my grandfather and listening to his adventures for hours, so it might be a great thing to share those experiences with the coming generations.
Of course, travel is not a dance on a flowered field in full bloom. There are mishaps, accidents and other not as enjoyable factors in traveling. Such as being robbed, getting lost in a country when you cannot speak the language or some other uncomfortable situation where just common sense is not enough to get you out of that situation. I have ended up in some situations but with common sense, but mostly a fair amount of sheer luck, managed to get by. It has given me a bit of a new way of thinking which I employ whenever something enjoyable or less enjoyable happens on my adventures. I came to think of it one night in Malta where I had my share of problems. Before I stop typing I wish to share that with you. “An experience is always good. You might dislike the result of it, but it is always good”
I wish you all luck on your future adventures.
