In this modern world we use this three words interchangeably. It doesn't necessary follow its original purpose anymore. But in terms of definitions, I think the below definition is most commonly perceived:
A nomad is a member of a community of people who live in different locations, moving from one place to another.
A vagabond is a person who wanders from place to place without a home or regular employment or income.
A wanderer is a person who travels aimlessly; a traveler.
And the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need
And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slaveRover, wanderer
Whenever I may Roam – Metallica
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will
This reminds me of the lyrics I once read from Metallica. I’m not a rock fan, so I actually never listened to this song but the words are resonating with me. Especially the last part, can me at what you will cause I don’t really know nor pay any attention too.
Last night, I had a chance to went a see a real Muay Thai fight for the first time. There were 2 fighters from my camp that participated in the fight. The live fighting in this form of aggressive sports is nothing like I have seen before. I’ve never been to a real body contact fight before. All of my past experience, including Kendo & Taekwondo are very rigid sports that has been developed to be focused on the skills. I feel like the best definition for all kind of Japanese martial arts is: how to perform your best skills within this limitations.
This sports – Muay Thai, almost has no limitation, except when your opponents fall down then you won’t continue to attack. I like this particular rule a lot. Unlike MMA, this sports show mercy.
Last night, for the first time, I finally get to understand the kind of sports that I’m practicing. And of course, the kind of people that I’m interacting with everyday.
My Gym is very special compared to the other Muay Thai Gym around the area. It’s the only gym that focus on teaching the real Muay Thai techniques as part of their agreement with the government for Arts Reservation. The people I practiced with are special, most if not of them are very serious to train to get better. They are not those lousy white douche/ gals who came to Southeast Asia for cheap booze, sex and food. They are the kind of people who have the respect for the sports and want to master the sports. I was very inspired.
Everybody has a story to tell, why they come here, what do they want. We are all a bunch of stories anyway. When I listened to their stories, when they speak to me, I feel like it’s not the person speaking. It’s the story behind them speaking.
Jessie and Alexis are a couple from Quebec who’s been practicing Muay Thai at home but it is not enough, so they took a month off to Santai to actually train with the masters.
Lisa is a young German girl who has trained 6 months in Phuket a year ago, then coming back for more. And if possible to become a fighter.
Christine is a older woman who came here 3.5 years ago to learn, and now coming back for more.
The stories go on… I found the one connection between this stories are the love of traveling. Traveling is like a process. Traveling is the best teacher. It’s like meditation. Traveling helps look at things in a different perspective. I see people sitting at one place and then posting opinions about Thailand and how Muay Thai camp is just a scam. Without visiting the place or speaking with the localites we cannot form opinions. And that’s why all of us in this gym to try out to travel and experience.
Most of us don’t have a plan, the most common statement is: I’m gonna be here for another 2 weeks and then I’m not sure what I will do next nor where I will go.
I don’t generally have a plan too. Places has become less and less my thing. I travel to do things, to observe people and to listen to their stories. I love nature, I love greenery, I love the suburban life. Every time I settle in a town, I took the motorbike out, there such a sensation running from my head down my spine. The sensation of satisfaction. I’m in awe every single time.
One of the common misunderstanding about Travelers are Passion. I think passion is overrated, with the people I met and the stories I hear it was out of love. Everything I do is out of choice and because I love it. I hear many people tell I will save for ten years and then go on a world trip. To such people, I say, “What if on the day of travel you die?”
Death is certain and many fail to admit this fact and so we don’t live.
The older I get, the more I realize like there’s no such thing called Destination. I don’t believe in a destination. Destination is an illusion.
When I was trekking with my boyfriend to the ABC camp, it is not the camp that is the destination. The journey to the camp, the mountains, the jungles that we pass by, the little homestay overlooking the Himalaya in Chomchomrong are all that matters. Even if we reached the ABC Camp, we can still change the destination to the Annapurna Summit for example. My point is there’s no fixed destination. The journey itself is already the destination.
