Adventure: Conquer the World
April 6, 2009
As you may recall, when I started the Spirit of Adventure series, I wrote a post listing some of the best-rated Resources To Get Started. That post featured a picture of my crazy surfer friend, Neil, of GoPro Camera.
This is a picture of Neil in Northern India a few years ago, when he set out to conquer the world. You can tell by the guy behind him that his original plan was simply not going to work… he’s just too nice of a guy for pillaging and plundering. Instead, he would have to settle for a philanthropic adventure, benefitting Parkinson’s Disease research. He was much better suited for that sort of trip.
Neil joined a volunteer team whose mission was to drive around the world to increase awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. The itinerary was insanely demanding, averaging 18-hour driving days for one year. On some occasions they had to drive without stopping (except for fuel and other necessities) for 3 or 4 days in one stretch, in order to make it in time to catch a ship that would ferry them to their next destination! You can learn all about the amazing details of the journey by visiting their website: DriveAroundTheWorld.com.
I recently asked Neil the two questions I always think of when I’m writing my Spirit of Adventure posts: “Why did you go? & What did you learn?”
When I asked him why he went, he answered in complete disbelief that I could even be asking: “What do you mean, why did I go!? I wanted to have an unbelievably awesome, once-in-a lifetime adventure!!” He then added that he also wanted to do something he had never done before, being part of something that is helping people, and being the team photographer.
This picture, of Neil with the Uyghur people of China, is one of my favorites (though, I don’t suppose he took it.) The “team photographer” is the nut on the far right, in the woolly hat. As you can see, he had wonderful opportunities to mingle with all sorts of great people in distant lands.
When I asked him what he learned, he said: “I learned that people around the world don’t hate us… Americans. No matter what you see on the news, or hear, they’re just regular people, like us. They want the same things we want: to have families, work, and love.”
This reminded me of a line from a song by Depeche Mode:
People are people, so why should it be, you and I should get along so awfully?
The next time you have the opportunity for a great adventure, TAKE IT! And, when you go, wherever you go, keep in mind that there are more similarities than differences between you and those around you.
Neil has just embarked on his greatest adventure ever: he just married the love of his life, Lorrie. Since they both will be reading this, do you have any words of advice for the newlyweds?
Related posts:
- Adventure: Aim to Help, Learn to Love
- Adventure: Find YOUR Path, Come What May
- Fellowship Fridays: Liberty Enlightening the World
- Adventure: The Lake Champlain Giant Pumpkin Regatta
- Adventure: Dare to Care!
Posted in Spirit of Adventure, helping others, inner peace, love
content rss
[...] Quest for Balance placed an observative post today on Adventure: Conquer The WorldHere’s a quick excerptAs you may recall, when I started the Spirit of Adventure series, I wrote a post listing some of the best-rated Resources To Get Started. That post featured a picture of my crazy surfer friend, Neil, of GoPro Camera. This is a picture of Neil in Northern India a few years ago, when he set out to conquer [...] Related posts: Adventure: Resources To Get Started Adventure: Being Open To Possibilities Adventure: New York to South America on a Duck Adventure: Costa Rican Immigration Od [...]
Ah, beautiful story! I would LOVE to go on an adventure like this! I did three years as a VISTA Volunteer with Americorps, which is kinda like Peace Corps only I stayed here in America to help eliminate poverty. My one regret about that experience is that I didn’t get the chance to travel internationally. Congratulations on such a daring adventure!
As to advice for newlyweds…the best advice I can give is to always be each other’s friend. People (myself included) tend to forget that their spouses should be their best friend, and they stop treating each other as such. It ended my marriage, and so I always tell newlyweds not to forget! Wishing you much peace and happiness!
Jay Schryer’s latest post… Learning to Let Go
Thank you, Jay… that was sweet. I love it that you still have a positive outlook about marriage despite some hiccups along the way. You are such a sweet soul.
As for your VISTA experience, that sounds like a wonderful adventure… maybe one you’d like to guestpost about? (hint, hint)
I love the idea of adventures — and, even more so, the idea that there are more similiarities between people around the world than we often realize.
I’m not married myself so I don’t have any experience-based advice, but from the relationships I’ve been in, I’d have to say the most important element is communication. We often get so caught up in our own feelings and thoughts that we forget to communicate well, which can cause lots of problems. Effective communcation is key!
Positively Present’s latest post… have the courage to be happy
Good for Neil and his spirit of adventure. That is one of things I love about traveling the world, you are constantly reminded of the unity of the human race. We all do want the same things…we just may express it differently and/or look differently.
As for any advice to the newlyweds, love each other unconditionally and never end the day with anger. Resolve it before you sleep…it makes a big difference! Congratulations!
Nadia-HappyLotus’s latest post… Lessons Learned From The Law of Attraction
@ PositivelyPresent: I love that too, the awareness of how similar we all are.
@ Nadia: That’s really sweet, “Never end the day with anger.” No wonder you are such a Happy Lotus. =-)
I want epic adventures! And I will have them! *puts on Indiana Jones hat, books flight*
David Cain’s latest post… The Secret to Connecting With People
And so you shall! (I can hear the Indy theme song now.) =-)
I’ve been threatening to take 4-5 months off and hike the Appalachian Trail. It runs from North Georgia to Maine, and spans almost 2,200 miles. If that were to happen, I could not return to “real life”. I’ve read stories about people that spend 3 months hiking that trail, that can never return to their jobs, or their lives as they once knew them.
Is that right? 4 to 5 months, huh? Am I invited?
You bring up a good point, though… I forgot to ask Neil what his re-entry to society was like. Maybe when he reads this he can let us know in the comments.
Jeff, I’m curious what it was about the experience that made them not able to return to the lives they had before. Was it that they saw things in a new way? Did their priorities change?
Also, I noticed that you said other people spent 3 months hiking that trail, but that you would take 4 or 5 months. What are ‘ya, some kind of slow-poke? ; ) Or would you just prefer to savor the experience?
Alison | Quest for Balance’s latest post… Adventure: Conquer The World
Ali- I remember the folks expressing difficulty when trying to re-enter society, mainly because on the trail, it’s just you, or you and a small group of 2-3, living in the woods with no rules, no headaches, no nothing. And living VERY SIMPLY, with ONLY a backpack filled with 35 lbs. of gear. Then afterwards, you are asked to rejoin society and function. I think some people find it easier than others, but I think I would struggle. The year sabbatical in Costa Rica derailed me!
I just read an article about a guy from New Hampshire that did the hike in 47.5 days. That is b/w 45-50 miles per day!! Whenever you attempt a speed hike record there are many more folks involved, almost gives it less of a personal feel, and more of a “corporate” feel. I think when you hike that fast, you miss the goodness of the trip, and overlook the beauty. You can see his article here: http://www.vtsports.com/articles/reader-athlete-andrew-thompson.
Honestly, it would probably take me 4-5 months… unless I saw a couple of bears, then I would probably just call it a day and head home.
Hmmm A guest post about Americorps? I *did* have some rather unique experiences with that, it might be entertaining and/or useful. Let me think about it for a couple of days, then I’ll see if I can put something coherent together, and I’ll email it to you. After you get it, you can see if it’s “postworthy” or not
Jay Schryer’s latest post… Integrating the Whole
Are you kidding me? Even your tweets are postworthy!
=-)
Hi Lisis,
. This is where you experience real life while moving with people all around the world who belongs to different nations and cultures. Love to have a such a life.
Cheers for Neil and his adventures. This is really great. I too have a dream of going around the world
Thanks for sharing this great story.
Hey Lisis,
I’m a little late but I still made it! Thanks for sharing a bit of Neil’s story with us. It sounds like Neil, besides being an adventurous and fun loving guy, is also a plain ol’ loving guy as well. That’s a recipe for a life well lived!
As far as advice for newly weds – hmmm… I agree that he’s just embarked on his greatest adventure ever. Learn to appreciate every moment of it – both the good parts and the parts where you have to travel for “3 or 4 days in one stretch” to get to the next good part.
Best of luck!
@Jeff, I see what you mean. Sometimes it’s hard enough to function optimally in society even when you are right smack in the middle of it… but after living free, it would be especially hard to conform. I also would want to stop and smell the roses along the trail… no sense rushing through such an amazing experience!
@ Vikum: Here’s the thing, you get to have such a life too… you just have to MAKE it. For instance, you could take a year off and volunteer with international humanitarian organizations. We took a year off (to be bums in Costa Rica) and our regular lives were just waiting for us when we got home. It really is possible to get out there and do something YOU want to do. =-)
@ Michael: Better late than never. And you’re right about Neil: one of the things that makes every day of his life an adventure is his view of loving life and loving others. Definitely a life well lived.
@ Ali: I think if I walked the A.T. I’d do more rose-smelling than walking!