August has been a whirlwind of reading, listening, studying, and preparing. I've spent these days gathering knowledge, honing skills, and fine-tuning plans. So many books and articles! This is only a section of many sources guiding me through the first part of the work this fall.
Each step, a deliberate move toward a journey that’s just around the corner—a journey that promises to be as enriching as it is unpredictable. Very soon, I set off to wander, absorb, immerse, and document—a prospect full of potential discoveries and insights that I can’t wait to uncover.
But here lies the challenge: how do I hold onto a plan without clinging too tightly? How do I stay open to the unexpected without losing sight of my goals? What are my goals again? It’s a delicate balance, requiring flexibility and focus in equal measure. The key, I believe, is to let the plan guide me without becoming a constraint, to welcome surprises as they come.
I'm reminded of the importance of adaptability. Life rarely unfolds as we anticipate, and the most memorable experiences often arise when we veer off the expected path. So, while my itinerary is carefully crafted, I’m leaving room for the unknown. There’s a certain magic in serendipitous encounters, the unplanned moments that bring new perspectives and unexpected pleasures.
Speaking of preparation, let’s talk about language apps—my well-meaning but often misguided companions in this adventure. They’ve proven to be equal parts mediocre, hilarious, and at times downright useless. Do I really need to know the sentence "Kamp alanım ayı geçirmez" ("My campsite is bear proof") for two weeks in Istanbul? Or "to je velika ovca i mala sova" ("That is a large sheep and a small owl") for my time in Dubrovnik? And finally, "la mia ragazza è timida" ("My girlfriend is shy")—in Italy?
I’m starting to wonder if these apps are preparing me for an entirely different trip than the one I’ve planned.
At the same time, I recognize the need for focus. It’s all too easy to get swept up in the spontaneity of travel, but I’m determined to stay aligned with the purpose of this journey. Maybe. Each day will bring opportunities to explore, but also challenges to stay on course—to document, reflect, and truly engage with the environment and the people I encounter.
I'm reminded that the beauty of this journey will lie not just in what I seek out, but in what finds me along the way. This adventure is not just about seeing new places, but about embracing the process.
With a map in one hand and an open heart in the other, I’m ready to embrace whatever comes my way. I just need one more cup of coffee to get going....
-Val
Beautiful.