A Case of Wanderlust

 

Last night after church Small Group, Jack asked me a very interesting question, “Have you always been a roamer?” Earlier in the evening I had shared about my week riding with Jordan in his 18-wheeler out to Wisconsin and back. The trucker life was intriguing, and the time spent with Jordan was priceless. But I think Jack picked some signs of wanderlust in my voice as I shared the experience.

I found this definition of wanderlust: “A strong desire or impulse to travel and explore the world. It is a term often used to describe a deep passion for experiencing new places. cultures, and adventures. People with wanderlust are driven by a curiosity to see and discover different parts of the globe. “

If the shoe fits …. I confess I do have a spirit for wanderlust. I certainly have a great appetite for experiencing new cultures and seeing new places. If it were a medical condition, the diagnosis seems to be very certain.  

A few reflections from last winter’s amazing trip to South America is proof of my ailment. From soaking in a thermal hot spring in the Andes mountains of Chile to posing with a massive boa constrictor draped across my shoulders in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. From riding on a Zodiac into the powerful waterfalls of Iguazu falls to swimming with Pink Dolphins in the Rio Negro River, the adventures feed a deeper curiosity to expand my world. I am thankful Maurina was also there with me collecting new experiences. She too has been inflicted. We love collecting new experiences.

My curiosity is not of an extreme, thrill-seeking type. No diving from high cliffs or bungy jumping from perfectly good bridges for me. I am not an adrenalin junkie, out looking for my next fix. I guess I am more of a collector of new experiences which help expand my awareness and appreciation for God’s creation. Learning about new cultures, by way of firsthand experience, is a deep passion. I appreciate that some people are more comfortable doing this from the comfort and safety of their home by watching documentaries and reading books. However I love the experience that awakens all my senses simultaneously.

I have been blessed in my life to have witnessed and explored amazing places. I have walked upon the great wall of China and strolled through the sacred caves of the Catacombs beneath Rome. I have held the hand of a hungry child in a dusty refugee camp on the border of Sudan and Uganda and prayed with transvestite prostitutes on the dark streets of San Jose, Costa Rica.

I think, in part, that is why I spent a week in the passenger seat of Jordan’s 18-wheeler. Spending time with Jordan was my motive, but seeing our country through the enormous windshield of the cab of his truck provided me with new perspectives and appreciation for the life of those who are a major cog in the vitality of our U.S. economy, the long-haul trucker.  

Am I a roamer? Well, yes Jack, I guess I am. There are worse addictions in life. Experiencing new cultures and things lead to stories, stories turn to memories, and memories are the best gift money can buy. I desire to live life as a learner. It is a shoe that fits me very well! I can’t wait to learn what new experiences await us in 2024.