Every once in a while I get a reminder in my mailbox from my calendar. The event is “Decide where to go next”. Ever since I’ve moved to London I’ve ignored and rescheduled that task more than 5 times already. I wonder how long I can keep doing it.
Lately the ‘event’ has changed a bit in my mind, from “decide where to go next” to “decide WHEN to go next”. This does not mean at all that I’ve decided on a next destination, but I’m increasingly getting the feeling that I’m moving in the right direction, and that when the moment comes, I’ll know where to go. Perhaps the actual destination doesn’t really matter. But I have become a lot more firm lately on where NOT to go. The reason for that is, of course, Cuba. I was just so amazingly appalled at the quality of life in that country that I’ve reconsidered living in poorer countries for extended periods of time. It’s not the living circumstances that I have a problem with. I’ve lived off my bicycle for several months, I’m pretty sure I can be comfortable with anything that nature will throw at me. It’s the people that I can’t stand. It still feels weird to me to have this stance. I am historically not good with people and made it one of my goals in life to get along with everyone. To not be able to do that (and it not being my fault) is frustrating.
I read this article the other day, about how a Canadian nearly got scammed in Nairobi. It pissed me off to extremes. The author of the article acts nicely about it and says that he understands the reasons behind the locals’ actions. His overall tone is one of acceptance and that is something that I just could never do. I would never willingly live in a country with people like that, nor do I feel any obligation to ‘help’ that country in any way. Fuck that, I’m sticking to countries where the people (and the governments) are nicer.
Insanity in governments: western europe is going insane lately over patents, controlling the internet and blocking illegal sites and such. In Holland an organization that everybody hates is finally getting internet providers to block certain websites like the pirate bay, in France there’s the “three strikes” rule that will disconnect you from the internet if they catch you downloading something nasty. Iin Germany you don’t have access to cool technologies such as street view because the government thinks it’s a violation of privacy. There’s less access to cool technology too because for some reason all patents are ridiculously enforced in Germany, and the patent war between Android and Apple is in full swing. No, Western Europe has way too many rules.
Iceland was an extremely pleasant surprise. I didn’t have many expectations, but it turned out to be more similar to European countries than I thought, without all the bad parts. The people were extremely nice though, and I have it on good authority that the rest of Scandinavia is similar. I can see myself getting bored there though, as even the capital doesn’t offer much in ways of entertainment even for the short time that we were there.
In the past I’d been focusing blindly on getting to San Francisco, because that’s “where it all happens”. I still think it would be awesome to be a part of that, but I won’t go out of my way to go there if my gut tells me I shouldn’t. The same goes for Japan. When I first left Japan I decided I would eventually go back there to live for a longer period of time. The intent still exists, but I’m not feeling the trigger at all. And until I will, I won’t go back to Japan. It’s just not the time yet.
It’s not that easy to pack up and leave. I keep telling myself it is, but it just isn’t. A lot of things happened since I came to London, and I have no intention of ignoring that. My gut tells me I should stay here for a bit longer. Whether that means months, or even years, I don’t know. But I’m comfortable where I am right now, in crappy London with all its shortcomings. I will keep my course, and interesting things will happen to me. Of that, I am certain.
“Decide where to go next” –> rescheduled for May.
Sweden!! Stockholm is appropriately busy and a small flurry of snow doesn’t suddenly cause mayhem. They also have a chocolate bar called ‘Plopp’!!