Life on the Road is a Mystery
Everyone comes from a different perspective, and often our viewpoint is coloured by where we grew up and the experiences we’ve as we became an adult. Today’s guest, Brendan Van Son, comes from a small town but has a big world view. I’d encourage you to read on, because I think we all can learn some interesting life lessons.
Could you introduce yourself?
I’m a small town boy from a town called Rocky Mountain House, I swear I couldn’t make that up. As I grew up all I really cared about was sports, and I played just about everything. I definitely began to catch the travel bug as I grew up as well, doing trips through the US, to Japan, Central America and many other places. I am officially a Political Scientist and Human Geographer, at least that’s what the diplomas now packed away in boxes tell me. At heart I’m a traveler, an explorer, and an adventurer. I’ve always been a writer, ever since I was in junior high school I’d write whenever I had questions, or answers, about anything floating in my head. However, it wasn’t until recently, about 6 months ago due to a nice push from a relative, that I decided to give it a shot in the world of travel writing. I sent out 2 articles to about 15 different publishers and received 4 offers to publish within 2 days. It was at that point I started to think that I could make a living out of this, I’m still trying to find out if that’s possible.
You say that you hope to “paint a picture about what life is like on the road.” They say picture is worth a thousand words, but think you can give us a flavour of what life is like on the road in a hundred? 
Life on the road is a mystery that has no solution, nor do you want it to have one, the more you explore the more you want to discover. It’s like a constant roller coaster ride, some days I feel like I’m waiting in a long cue line and that it’s not worth the trouble, and then all of a sudden something amazing happens and makes me realize that the strenuous times are all worth it. The growth you gain living on the road is incredible. You can no longer hide from life, you are forced to live it everyday or it will eat you whole. But somehow, the majority of us manage to fight through and mature in every way imaginable because of it.
Andy: Couldn’t. Agree. More.
One of your favourite quotes talks about the fact that you look for travel experiences where you feel insignificant. Want to tell us a little bit more?
I was always raised to be a humble person, and I try to take that with me on the road. It’s very easy to let yourself get caught up in, well, yourself. But the moments that you look across a site, or landscape, or city and realize that there is so much more out there in the world than just us put us back in our place. People might read that and think that’s a horrible realization, but for me it’s inspiring. It reminds me of how hard I need to work to do something that matters to the world; it pushes me like nothing else could.
You have some great photography. What’s the secret about taking a great picture?
I honestly don’t think I take great pictures, I give all the credit to the places that I go. I use only a small Canon digital camera that fits nicely in my pocket. And I’ve rarely manipulate the scenery using special functions, etc., although I love the pictures that have do so. I guess my advice then, is to try to make the picture look the same way you see it with your own eye. Learning the basic functions of your camera, no matter how expensive or, in my case, basis it may be, is essential. Simple things like changing the exposure or the light settings make all the difference in the world. I’ve heard so many times people say, “if only I can get my pictures to look how the target really appears to my eye” and the truth is you can, you just need to work on it. And if all else fails, just take 10000 pictures, one or two of them ought to come out nice.
Andy: And at the end of the day, don’t forget to enjoy it. You aren’t there only to take pictures.
What’s your most inspirational travel experience?
I’m not sure if this is a fair question because there have been so many. But, I remember clearly traveling down the United States when I was 7 or 8 years old. I don’t remember hating the long drives in our family van, although I’m told we, my siblings and I, complained and fought to no end. I think at one point my mom got so frustrated with us she made us get out of the van on a busy California interstate and walk a mile as cars blared their horns as they shot by us. And although on that trip I remember the pillars of Bryce Canyon, the lights of Las Vegas, the excitement of Universal Studios, and the sand dunes of the Oregon Coast there in one moment that sticks out most in my mind. As we crossed into Mexico on a day trip to Tijuana we walked by a tatter clothed woman with a young child slung over her shoulder. She sat their with a look of despair on her face and pain in her eyes as she begged for anything we could spare. I remember my parents telling us to pick up our pace as we walked by her without paying her the smallest attention. And it was at that point I realized that the world I knew from small town Canada wasn’t the the whole story. It was the moment that I realized that there was a huge world out there that I needed to explore, discover and, with any luck, understand. To this day, I am still trying to do those things.
What’s on your bucket list?
The honest truth is that I don’t have a bucket list, I have never sat down and written a list of places I need to visit before dying. The reason that I have no list is simply because I want to travel everywhere, if it’s on a map, or even better if it’s not a map, I want to visit it, from Kazakhstan to Kuwait. However some of the places that I’m more excited to check though include: Dubrovnik, Antarctica, the Asanti kingdom of Ghana, Timbuktu, and Myanmar (Borneo).
Thanks Brendan for your perspective – I’ve found it truly enjoyable and inspirational. Folks, to learn more about Brendan, connect with him either at his site, Brendan’s Adventures, or on Twitter, @Brendanvanson. Filed under Topic: Interviews § 3 Comments
Keeping in Touch while On the Road
Sometimes we have to travel solo, without our partner or our children. Or maybe you aren’t going along but you are leaving someone special behind for awhile. Whether you’re gone for a week or a month, sometimes that is hard. Or maybe you’ve not travelled as much as you want because you are scared/worried/afraid of leaving someone behind.
I’d like to encourage you to embrace those feelings. But instead of spending your trip in a funk, I want you to put those feelings into a place that will actually make your trip even better. Travel more…and keep in touch with these tips.
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Foodie’s Guide to the Best of Quebec
My first trip to Quebec was to the province’s largest city, Montreal. As I’ve mentioned, I love Montreal. On my recent trip to Ottawa, I stayed in Gatineau, which is the French half of Canada’s capital. It was there that I found the profound (and waistline-influencing) importance of food in Quebec. Let’s look a little closer at Quebec food culture in one of Canada’s most interesting provinces.
Cheeese (Fromage)
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Things to Do in Niagara Falls
I so excited to arrive in Niagara Falls. With all the stories of barrel rides, mist, and amusement, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. In fact, I kind of suspected I might not like it. And the truth it is that in some ways, Niagara is overdeveloped. But if you look hard enough, you can still find plenty of great experiences.
Remember, Niagara Falls straddles the US/Canadian border, so for the most flexibility, bring your passport. In America, you have close access to the water as well as a wonderful hike, whereas in Canada you have shops, hotels, and many of the non-falls attractions. I recommend you stay on the Canadian side and walk over to America. Also, I would recommend not to take an organised tour. It is easy to get around Niagara, and I don’t feel most of the tours offer great value for money, when you could see what you want, when you want, and for as long as you want on your own.
Here were a few of my favourite things to do in Niagara Falls.
Get Wet
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Happy Friday the 13th from the Scariest Places on Earth
I will admit – I am a scary places and haunted house junkie. I love to be frightened and terrified beyond my wits, which is easily done in a scary place since I usually travel solo! Please don’t keep reading unless you’re ready to hear about some of the scariest places on Earth. Prepare to be terrified – and happy Friday the 13th. Heh heh heh.
Nightmares Fear Factory – Niagara Falls, Ontario
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Organize Your Life in a way that Makes You Happy
I do love it when we have really inspiring people here on the hot seat every Thursday, and today is no exception. Today I’m talking with Todd Wassel, who is man that has one thing on his mind: happiness. He’ll stop at nothing to enjoy life, and to put happiness first and work hard to make everything else fall into place.
Let’s find out more. Ready?
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The Mystery of Mystra
This travel journey started with a misty dream: my deceased mother pointing to a place on the map and whispering: “This is Mystra. You must go there.”
Mystra, all but a deserted village near the Peloponnese town of Sparta, has its beginnings in Greece’s Byzantine period. Personally, I’d rather enjoy the Classical or Bronze Age sites of Greece. But my love for Greece is neverending (Delphi travel and the Ionian Islands being personal favorites), but if your dead mother has an opinion, you listen. I packed my bags and picked up my ticket for the five-hour trip to Mystra at the bus station in central Athens.
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Buffalo Sightseeing
The other day I sent out a tweet, saying “Gorgeous day and having a wonderful time in Buffalo.” A follower (and STE reader) replied, saying “You don’t hear that often!” I’m afraid Buffalo totally has a bad reputation for being snow-covered year round, which of course isn’t the case. I was only there for a couple of days, and yes I chose my timing well – summer, not winter – but found heaps of things to do and places to be explored. So, if you find yourself in Western New York, or looking for a travel destination in this area, I recommend Buffalo as the perfect city break or weekend getaway. Here are a few suggestions for Buffalo sightseeing and why I enjoyed it so much.
Downtown Architecture
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Words of Wisdom: Whatever You Do, Don’t Run
Sometimes it is hard for me to explain how a book gets my attention. Today’s recommended reading, Whatever You Do, Don’t Run, certainly has some curb appeal (don’t run? why not?). But then I realised that it was a journal/diary/story about the life of a safari tour guide in Botswana. As an ‘employee’ of the tourism industry too, I always wonder others have to say about their dream travel jobs.
This book was everything I wanted and more. It was insightful, funny, and factual-this-is-how-it-works all wrapped in one. Let’s dive a bit further…
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Photo Essay: The Finger Lakes
You have no doubt heard about the Great Lakes, but do you know about the Finger Lakes? Tucked away in upstate New York, they’re New England’s great playground, full of wineries, classic American towns, and tons of things to do. So check out these Finger Lakes Photos – maybe one lake looks perfect for your next vacation?
Otisco Lake
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