In everyday life, I rarely have sense of pure learning – using all my wits to learn with intention, speed, in real-time. Negotiating, assessing, aligning. We do that everyday but not pure survival learning. Maybe a new device or a new tool but it’s rarely pure or primary.
When you travel, particularly when you travel alone, you are called on to learn new skills in order to go forward. When you’re traveling, whether it’s how to use an electric shower (first, really, and, second, who knew you had to turn on the outlet) or driving in a new way, it’s full body and fast track.
Keep Left: Survival Learning. Imagine you arrive in Edinburgh with jet lag using your last spark of energy to argue with the arrogant rental car clerk who thinks you can be swayed by an upgrade to a monster truck with backup screens and refuses to address the incremental cost on your prepaid car. At last, spent, you find yourself sitting in the driver’s seat, on the unfamiliar side of the car, in a cramped lot, pointed toward EXIT with twelve roundabouts between you and your destination.
Here is what I discovered on that first day. There isn’t anyone but you. This creates clarity. No help but also no distraction. Finally I was safely parked in Stirling and there were three rules that helped get me there.
- First observe deeply, taking time to watch everything around you. Then watch again.
- Accept that following is acceptable for a beginner. The guy driving the plumbing van – it isn’t his first day. Follow until you figure it out.
- Last, go slow, go with flow.
Beware Right Turns: The Discipline of Attention
Since I did survive, the next step is attentiveness. Every time I got in the car, I repeated the mantra. Every time. Pay attention. Keep left. Beware right turns. Driving well is more important than the GPS lady’s instructions or her begrudging approval. You can always turn around. Eventually.
The first time I thought I had it down and relaxed, I turned right with great confidence into the proper left lane, but had the left-over and inappropriate relaxed approach to the right turn. I was lucky that the truck coming my way was still far away. It helped me maintain a keenness of focus for the rest of week.
The Good Stuff: Getting Creative
It was time to go to the Isle of Mull. I had my driving mojo and was ready. Then I landed on a single track road, going up a mountain full of hairpin turns, and, should you begin to relax, recalcitrant sheep. It seemed there was no way to know as you went around a blind curve if you’d meet a truck or van or worse, another tourist. After thinking it through, I realized that while I couldn’t see the next 300 yards, with the switchbacks, I could see the road farther along. If I waited a bit on the shoulder, I could know the hidden road was clear. I started keeping my eye on the mid distance…and the sheep.
So What? Why Solo Travel Keeps You Sharp
When you meet an new, out-of-your-zone challenge on your own, you use your whole intellect, your ability to observe, and your experience. It’s a souvenir that you bring home.
I thought about John Wesley’s teaching and the quadrilateral of seeing life and faith through scripture, tradition, experience and reason. It’s not a great fit since both my travel scripture and the traditional writings of the Church fathers would both be Rick Steves and Karen Brown, but you may find that you depend a lot on reading and research, experience and observation, and daily honed reason.
In the end, is it heightened awareness or high-speed learning? Is it just truly paying attention? Whatever you call it, I want to take this into my everyday life – upping the percentage of wit and wisdom I bring to the opportunity at hand.
What I Learned about Travel
Travelling on your own, even for part of a trip, heightens your senses.
Never go on auto pilot. Ever.
It is worth it – get the car!