Leaving: The Soundtrack
My latest Real Travel column, "Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow" has just been posted on the National Geographic Traveler website. It's also in the magazine's May/June issue--on newsstands now.
Leaving is one of the most emotional experiences I have as a traveler. As the old song goes, I "Never can say goodbye...no no no!" I'll share more thoughts about separation anxiety in the next few days, but first I wanted to try something new--a soundtrack that goes along with this month's column.
In the essay, I talk about how the theme of arrival, rather than departure, dominates most travel writing. And how little in the travel writing canon deals with the subject of going. (One notable exception comes to mind: this essay by Joan Didion, which isn't exactly travel writing, but it's certainly the most memorable door slam on New York that's ever been written.)
Travel writers may not like to deal in the farewell, but songwriters sure do love their sorrowful partings. Musicians really have a handle on this subject, and curiously, so many of these musicians are Canadians. From Ian and Sylvia to (the late, lamented) Kate McGarrigle, to Neil Young, they pretty much rule the turf in the land of bittersweet
Does Canada have the cultural edge on the farewell? I don't know, but the goodbye songs in the following videos are absolutely guaranteed to give me a good cry. (Good thing that Joni's not crying--she'd ruin that magnificent eyeliner she's wearing!)
Your article in National Geographic Traveler really touched my heart today. Departure is always difficult for me. It leaves me with a sense of loss and sadness. I guess it is the thought that here is someone or someplace that I may never see again. Yet at the time they are the most important things in my life. It is part of living in the moment.
I loved your music choices and they are now on my travel playlist.
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Hi Daisann,
I just read your article in the latest issue of Traveler. Having spent my last summer in India, I cannot express how perfectly you described the imminent end to an adventure. It's been almost a year since I made the move from my safe college dorm to the bustling, sticky streets of Delhi and I'm still processing "the renegade emotions." Great work!
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Hello Daisann
Your article is very good. Perhaps travel is like leaving behind something of ourselves, is like death and rebirth. I remembered the great final song from All That Jazz, "Bye Bye Life".
Love!
Reply to this
Hello Daisann
Your article is very good. Perhaps travel is like leaving behind something of ourselves, is like death and rebirth. I remembered the great final song All That Jazz, "Bye Bye Love"
Love!
Reply to this