It is the small hours of the morning and the sun is coming up over the misty fog that lines the hills surrounding the stone circle at Glastonbury Festival. Having completed some dance shapes at a very random backstage party full of transvestites, I have found myself sitting amongst the masses with a glittery 70's Stevey Nicks blue sequin dress and a drawn on moustache. I suppose that is pretty standard for Glasto especially after seeing the Rolling Stones rock the socks off everyone as the headline act and playing drinking games with red wine. Not recommended.
I get chatting, as you do, and a lady asks me "So what do you do for a living?". A question I get asked a lot and struggle to answer in a conventional way. So I bite the bullet, I decide to finally make the proclamation.
"I am an explorer" I reply with the straightest face possible while sporting a pencil lined moustache.
The lovely lady laughs a while; "An explorer!?" she turns to a friend of hers. A blonde lady in her 30's who for the sake of it I will call Jane. "Jane, I just asked this girl what she does for a living and she says she's an explorer!" More laughs are shared.
"So what does it take to be an explorer Jess?" says Jane inquisitively in a somewhat patronising tone.
Blimey. They think I am joking and pretending to be Wizardora or something...or perhaps that I am on acid traversing a different dimension.
Nevertheless I go on.
"Firstly, I would say it takes courage. Courage to stop whatever normal world you are in and step out of your comfort zone. Courage to be alone in wild places where bears might attack you (in hindsight I really should have done an impression of the bear scare techniques I practiced while trekking in India) or as a woman, where you may feel very uncomfortable and stared at. Courage to keep going sometimes too when you start to miss people or feel the madness ensue after multiple culture shocks.
Secondly, you need to be stupidly curious. Curiosity is fundamental to keeping you going and exploring more places and learning new things. To keep asking why... (dramatic pause for deep thought).
And I think lastly, you have got to be open-minded. Being open-minded to the various realities that people are living in and points of view people hold so that you can adapt appropriately and be compassionate to people different perspectives." - there is no way I spoke so eloquently in the early hours that morning... but the sentiment remains. These are pretty essential in hindsight, along with foolish tendencies and deep breaths through office lit, rushed, shoes off and no liquids airports. I am updating my passport soon and am going to get an eye scanner one. I was not so happy when I learned this. "Next thing I'll have a chip embedded in my arm" I joked to which someone responded "yeah but the cues are shorter!". If only my housemates didn't graffiti "Imigrant" and "Jess is Gay" in my passport 7 years ago.
After my little job explanation I asked Jane what it was she did for a living.
"I'm a planner, a marketing strategist." she replied.
"Oh, that's funny..." and kinda weird "I used to be one of those..." well I guess it's pretty much the same thing but with a very broad market, nothing to sell and a lot less worrying.
Being an explorer is a cool job title though and given I purchased a £2 felt festival hat from the local charity shop that resembles that of Indiana Jones; I seemingly qualify. Of course every explorer needs a good hat that works at music festivals AND weddings for a couple of bob.
If you decide to become an explorer, check out my magical tips for solo travellers and remember to keep a journal / blog / take photos.
It is the small hours of the morning and the sun is coming up over the misty fog that lines the hills surrounding the stone circle at Glastonbury Festival. Having completed some dance shapes at a very random backstage party full of transvestites, I have found myself sitting amongst the masses with a glittery 70's Stevey Nicks blue sequin dress and a drawn on moustache. I suppose that is pretty standard for Glasto especially after seeing the Rolling Stones rock the socks off everyone as the headline act and playing drinking games with red wine. Not recommended.
 |
| cross-dress party stage |
"I am an explorer" I reply with the straightest face possible while sporting a pencil lined moustache.
The lovely lady laughs a while; "An explorer!?" she turns to a friend of hers. A blonde lady in her 30's who for the sake of it I will call Jane. "Jane, I just asked this girl what she does for a living and she says she's an explorer!" More laughs are shared.
"So what does it take to be an explorer Jess?" says Jane inquisitively in a somewhat patronising tone.
Blimey. They think I am joking and pretending to be Wizardora or something...or perhaps that I am on acid traversing a different dimension.
Nevertheless I go on.
"Firstly, I would say it takes courage. Courage to stop whatever normal world you are in and step out of your comfort zone. Courage to be alone in wild places where bears might attack you (in hindsight I really should have done an impression of the bear scare techniques I practiced while trekking in India) or as a woman, where you may feel very uncomfortable and stared at. Courage to keep going sometimes too when you start to miss people or feel the madness ensue after multiple culture shocks.Secondly, you need to be stupidly curious. Curiosity is fundamental to keeping you going and exploring more places and learning new things. To keep asking why... (dramatic pause for deep thought).
And I think lastly, you have got to be open-minded. Being open-minded to the various realities that people are living in and points of view people hold so that you can adapt appropriately and be compassionate to people different perspectives." - there is no way I spoke so eloquently in the early hours that morning... but the sentiment remains. These are pretty essential in hindsight, along with foolish tendencies and deep breaths through office lit, rushed, shoes off and no liquids airports. I am updating my passport soon and am going to get an eye scanner one. I was not so happy when I learned this. "Next thing I'll have a chip embedded in my arm" I joked to which someone responded "yeah but the cues are shorter!". If only my housemates didn't graffiti "Imigrant" and "Jess is Gay" in my passport 7 years ago.
After my little job explanation I asked Jane what it was she did for a living.
"I'm a planner, a marketing strategist." she replied.
"Oh, that's funny..." and kinda weird "I used to be one of those..." well I guess it's pretty much the same thing but with a very broad market, nothing to sell and a lot less worrying.
Being an explorer is a cool job title though and given I purchased a £2 felt festival hat from the local charity shop that resembles that of Indiana Jones; I seemingly qualify. Of course every explorer needs a good hat that works at music festivals AND weddings for a couple of bob.
If you decide to become an explorer, check out my magical tips for solo travellers and remember to keep a journal / blog / take photos.
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