Travelling in Writing - Gert Scholtz - South Africa

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~10 ·

Blogging

Gert blog

Travelling in Writing

Travel writers travel twice. This I am finding. Recently I have started blogging on some of my sojourns and journeys. A sparse collection of seven travel posts in which I discover writing about journeys is a kind of a trip in itself.

Visiting Twice

Once you have travelled, the journey doesn’t end.

Impressions of places visited arise into awareness almost surreptitiously stirring the experience anew. When writing about travel I find myself in a peculiar afterglow of reliving the destinations.

Crafting descriptions and selecting photos take me back and in a very real sense I feel the place again. The colors of a sea, the smells of a market, the sounds on a street. The atmosphere of a city and the personalities of a place. The timelessness of nature and the wonders of the earth. People with a different language and unfamiliar faces. New foods and different roads. Sights, sounds and smells. Vistas and views. All enchant in a second passage of writing about it.

Many impressions remain after a journey, buried in the mind to be uncovered again later. Writing about it brings these back and in this sense I visit twice.

Travels Near and Far

Somewhere I read: “Everyone is a travel writer, but not everyone knows it.”

We continuously form narratives of the world and people around us and of our experiences. Everyone has ventured away from home; a short walk around the block or a flight to a far corner of the world.

Writing about journeys can be about places near and far, familiar and unfamiliar. It can be a flight of fantasy, an adventure tale, it can be travelogues and memoirs. It stretches as far as our awareness and imagination may carry.

I divide my foray into travel writing as follows:

Walkabouts: Where you live is unique. Walk a few miles from your home and see places anew. My first travel post, perhaps inadvertently, was: Johannesburg in a Short Walk

Driveabouts: Driving off early morning on a road trip and unwinding through wide open spaces. South Africa has vast natural beauty and I re-visited some places in Panorama of South Africa

Flyabouts: Overseas trips are particularly mind broadening journeys. I witness how similar the global community is and also how distinct each culture: Travels Far and Fortunate

A Journey of the Mind

We are born with wanderlust; an impulse to wander, travel and explore the world.

Sometimes we seek relaxation, sometimes adventure, sometimes engagement with different peoples. Mark Twain, who sailed around the coast of the Mediterranean, wrote in his travelogue Innocents Abroad that travel is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

Our thoughts are often shackled by the familiar. The brain is a neural tangle of multiple possibilities and impressions. Travel is good for the brain; distance and novelty loosens the chains of habitual thinking and cognition, enabling broader thinking and acceptance.

TS Eliot wrote: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and something in us has changed.

As we write about it, we travel again.

#Twice #South Africa #Johannesburg #Short Walk #Writing

Comments

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #38

#40
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich Thanks Deb. Your expression of travel being good for the human compass, is pitch perfect!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #37

#40
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich Thanks for commenting Deb. I like your expression of travel being good for the human compass - pitch perfect!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #36

#42
Laurent Boscherini When you comment on a post I am really gratified - thank you Laurent my friend.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #35

#43
Yogesh Sukal I look forward to your next post on Quoteful shots Yogesh. Thank you for sharing the post.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #34

#41
@Julio Angel \ud83d\udc1dLopez Lopez Thank you Julio. Also for your regular comments on my posts.

Laurent Boscherini

6 years ago #33

Wow Thank you Gert Scholtz for sharing a such amazing journey to go beyond ourselves and so closed to each of us.

Julio Angel 🐝Lopez Lopez

6 years ago #32

Very true Gert Scholtz

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #31

#37
Ken Boddie Yours is such an eloquent comment from one of beBee’s top travel writers. I hope that readers of the post will scroll down to your read it, including: “There is nothing that sharpens our social awareness and sympathy, for those of different cultures and beliefs, than being a stranger in the society of others. And there is nothing that better propagates this affinity than being unconditionally welcomed by total and absolute strangers.” Many thanks Ken.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #30

#36
Jerry Fletcher How good that the post has given you some inspiration for blog about your planned visit to the marvelous Japanese Gardens in Portland. I look forward to reading it Jerry – thank you.

Ken Boddie

6 years ago #29

How true are the rediscoveries of travel through writing, Gert. Being one who has a shocking memory, I always carry a handy notebook when travelling and also gather information (rarely ever discarded) from pamphlets, tickets and posters, begged, borrowed and stolen along the way. This is much to the chagrin of my better half who nags me until I file everything in an orderly fashion. Then there are the sorting of hundreds (if not thousands) of photos and the occasional discovery of details which went quite unnoticed on the day but are revealed in that lens-captured frozen point in time. Sometimes I think that the actual trip and its preparation are a mere reconnaissance, and that the real journey is the full realisation through later documentation and photographic presentation. But the real benefit of travel, to which you allude in your excellent post, Gert, is that we realise a greater affinity with our fellow man, at home and abroad. There is nothing that sharpens our social awareness and sympathy, for those of different cultures and beliefs, than being a stranger in the society of others. And there is nothing that better propagates this affinity than being unconditionally welcomed by total and absolute strangers.

Jerry Fletcher

6 years ago #28

Gert, Your suggestion of a walkabout hit home with me. Too often we forget the beauty that abounds in our own back yard. You've inspired me to write a blog about a planned visit to the marvelous Japanese Gardens in Portland. Thanks.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #27

Sara Jacobovici The video's are great! Glad I could rekindle some memories and thank you for your engagement and sharing the post.

Sara Jacobovici

6 years ago #26

Gert Scholtz writes, "We continuously form narratives of the world and people around us and of our experiences." Read his story.

Sara Jacobovici

6 years ago #25

Gert Scholtz writes, "As we write about it, we travel again."

Sara Jacobovici

6 years ago #24

Dear Gert Scholtz, you are not only a renaissance man, but a troubadour as well!! Love your writing style and the way you "see" the world. Besides being so enjoyable (and triggering pop culture memories of 2 musicals; 1. which I saw at a young age, read impressionable young girl, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Nr-IIvuTo and 2. young adult who loves musicals, you can start it a 1:11, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTymtAbaG08&list=RDNTymtAbaG08#t=22), your writing incorporates all the things I believe in: the fact that we are sensory beings and storytellers, and a great line about our brain that defies Artificial Intelligence, "The brain is a neural tangle of multiple possibilities and impressions. Thank you Gert for allowing me to tag along.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #23

#20
Dean Owen Perfect: “Entering the world of travel writing will increase your awareness and each trip will no longer be a vacation but an exploration.”

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #22

#20
Dean Owen You could not have said it better: “Entering the world of travel writing will increase your awareness and each trip will no longer be a vacation but an exploration.”

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #21

#18
Paul Walters In my case it is more - have travelled, now grab notebook. Thanks Paul, for stopping over on this one.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #20

#24
Vincent Andrew I look forward to reading about Kundasang soon!. Thank you for commenting and sharing the post,. Much appreciated Vincent.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #19

#24
Vincent Andrew Looking forward to reading about Kundasang. Thank you for commenting and sharing Vincent.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #18

#21
Savvy Raj We do indeed travel twice when we write about it. Thanks for commenting Savvy - nice to see you on the comment thread.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #17

#21
Savvy Raj We do indeed travel twice when we write about it. Thanks for commenting Savvy - great to see you on the thread.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #16

#17
Helena Jansen van Vuuren No travels are off track - not even if they are percolating!

Dean Owen

6 years ago #15

So often we are blind to what is plainly visible. Faint observations. Entering the world of travel writing will increase your awareness and each trip will no longer be a vacation but an exploration. You will begin to search out cultural differences, taking mental notes along the way. You will seek explanations for actions you may have considered weird. You will begin to understand, not just people who are different to yourself, but who you are. It is a fascinating journey. And as you say, when we are old a grey and no longer able to board plane, train, and automobile, we can continue travelling until we reach our destination.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #14

I always delight when people choose to share their journeys. As I said on @ken Boddie's post, I am disabled and must "see" these places through the eyes of others. I think it was Paul Walters that took me through Morroco. Wow. Keep at it folks. I am fighting going into a wheelchair. Perhaps when I relent, I can go on my own.

Paul Walters

6 years ago #13

Gert Scholtz Ah the old, " have notebook will travel theory' couldn't agree more . Thanks

Helena Jansen van Vuuren

6 years ago #12

#13
Percolating - don't you just love how some words require your mouth to actually move or travel that is! Also a favourite jazz number is called Peeeercolate.....sorry a bit off track....ugh - no finesse here!

Ian Weinberg

6 years ago #11

#12
Nou daars iets!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #10

#6
Pascal Derrien I find your fantasy travels superb reading. Something I can't emulate in my biggest fantasy :) Thanks Pascal.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #9

#6
Pascal Derrien I find your fantasy travels superb reading. Something I can't emulate in my biggest fantasy :) Many thanks Pascal.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #8

#5
Franci\ud83d\udc1dEugenia Hoffman I find travels keep percolating in the mind - consciously and sub-consciously - "once you have travelled the journey does not end". Thanks for commenting and sharing Franci.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #7

#8
Ian Weinberg Ek wonder soms wat kom eerste: die ruimte om ons en gedagtes wat vergroot, of groter gedagtes wat soek na ruimte. Baie dankie vir die inloer Dok!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #6

#7
debasish majumder If the post attracted your attention and fine comments - that I am very happy with. Thank you Debasish - I always appreciate your insightful feedback.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #5

#4
Deborah Levine Thanks for reading and commenting Deborah - happy to see you stop by.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #4

Milos Djukic Thank you for sharing the post Milos.

Ian Weinberg

6 years ago #3

To see continually with 'new eyes' is a testimony to the expansion of an enriched mind. Once again a superb value contribution Oom Gert Scholtz Mooi skoot!

Pascal Derrien

6 years ago #2

Special skill that you , Dean O and obviously Paul W have in common allowing us tor travel with you thru your articles :-)

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #1

#1
Tausif Mundrawala I do hope to read about your time in Rajasthan with your brother sometime in the future. Thank you for your encouraging words and for sharing the post Tausif.

Articles from Gert Scholtz

View blog

5 years ago · 1 min. reading time

Related professionals

Kurt Kucera

Kurt Kucera loves to travel and has travelled extensively across Florida, Costa Rica, Belize, the Bahamas, and Mexico. A huge motivation for his travels is his passion for scuba diving.

Administrative

Palm Harbor - Florida

Pascal Derrien

CEO Migraine Ireland

Non-profit / Volunteering

Dublin - Leinster

Paul Walters

Travel Blogger

Marketing / Advertising / Public Relations

Denpasar - Provinsi Bali

You may be interested in these jobs

New Vehicle Sales Executive

Found in: Talent ZA C2 - 6 days ago

First Degree Recruitment Eastern Cape, South Africa Full time

Used Vehicle Sales executive · Duties and responsibilities: Cold calling and finding new business, Follow up on new and existing clients, Presenting vehicle options, Arranging test drives and deliveries. · Requirements: · Minimum of 3 years sales experience with Vehicle Sales – ...
Manager: Night Duty

Found in: Talent ZA C2 - 6 days ago

Mediclinic Kimberley Kimberley, South Africa

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB · To ensure continuous safe patient care and a positive patient experience by coordinating clinical and non-clinical resources and services at night. · KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS · Continuously deliver a quality service to patients in accordance with patient ...
English Tutor

Found in: Talent ZA C2 - 1 week ago

Thrive Tutoring Solutions. Kempton Park, South Africa

At Thrive Tutoring Solutions, is looking for suitably qualified Tutors to join our organisation. We provide supportive tutoring lessons that are focused on assisting the learners to master abstract and concrete concepts through the use of real life problem solving techniques. We ...