Comments on: The Greatest Thing About Traveling: Routine

By: Turner

Turner — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:39:49 +0000

I agree, Sarah. Once I had gotten my routine down in Japan, I discovered this was a form of traveling in itself: being comfortable with living abroad. By “traveling” at work in Japan five days a week and venting my real wanderlust on weekend excursions, it became comfortable… too comfortable… part of the reason I ended up leaving Kagoshima.

Note on photos: What in the world were you doing in that first picture? Cute cat.

“Something is afoot at the Circle K”

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By: Carlo

Carlo — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:03:27 +0000

Trust me. Not worth it.

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By: Ryukyu Mike

Ryukyu Mike — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:27:57 +0000

Circle K ! You just reminded me about them. 7-11 and Circle K haven’t made it to the southernmost prefecture, yet. Surprised you got milk insteada coffee, though. My routine goes like this: Never know what day it is, Huskies know Papa don’t walk them until he drinks a quarta iced-coffee while he’s reading the mornin’ paper. Paper comes between 4-5AM. Alpha male Husky licks Papa’s face as if to say “Wake up, hurry up and read yer damn paper and let’s go”. Dogs sit and stare at me the whole time I’m reading. Fold the paper when I’m done and they start jumpin’ for joy. If I sling a camera holster over my shoulder they know it’s gonna be a 6hr walk; no camera maybe a mile or two. There’d be some sort of routine if tjhe damn paper would come at the same time every day !

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By: Lola

Lola — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:16:08 +0000

Loved this piece Sarah.

Just finally coming out of the 9-5 game after a long time, I am definitely looking forward to a different kind of routine. One set at my own pace and time.

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By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:28:58 +0000

Ah, weekends. Something to be said for the 9-5. I miss them.

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By: Marissa

Marissa — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:20:23 +0000

I’m a compulsive organizer and list-maker so I thrive on routine anyway and I appreciate this take on routine. It is possible to get the most out of your daily pattern, even at home.

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By: Marilyn_Res

Marilyn_Res — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:41:39 +0000

Your post reminds me of Daisann McLane’s essay on the unexpected joys of doing laundry in a foreign country: http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/07/real-travel-text

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By: david miller

david miller — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:51:55 +0000

i’m feeling this.

best routine ever is still waking up, paddling out, surfing the morning session, coming back when the wind wrecks the waves, cooking breakfast, extended hammock session afterwards for digestions-writing-reading-working. later the afternoon walk through the jungle into town, talking to people (or just whistling at them) you’re getting to know a little better each day, buying a few things in town, mailing letters, checking the ciber-cafe, climbing the high point to feel the wind and see what the wave are doing, then walk back down to camp, maybe with a treat (uvas?) for the local family whose beach you’re camped on, and then either afternoon surf if there’s waves, or daily maintenance around camp, tidying up, staying out of the afternoon heat until evening then it’s fires and maybe bottles or perhaps just looking at stars and wondering about all the rest of your gente spread out everywhere.

my bro dj said once ‘it’s like all different versions of the same day.’

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