People have often asked me, "What are you trying to escape? What are you running from? Running to?" To or from, here or there, maybe it's not about escaping at all, maybe I'm just running. Just exercising. Just keeping fit. We don't ask runners, what are you escaping? We ask them, what are you training for? So why isn't travel viewed in the same light? Travel is also athletic–on a physical level sure, but grinding and rewarding on almost every other level your body, soul, and mind is made up of. So I'm training too. I'm training to be a good human who shares space on this magical planet. So its not about escaping, it's about connection.
Travel is a practice and has become my sacred meditation.
Is there an element of escapism woven into the thread? A romanticized notion of getting on a plane? Sure. But it's not about avoidance, if anything it's exploration or confrontation, or coming to terms with people, places, and most difficult at times, yourself.
Movement in our lives is good, we need to oil our joints, take care of our bodies and our minds and more importantly, each other.
Travel is movement. There is no escaping that.
Footage from Switzerland. Special thanks to Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina & Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz.