Monday, February 12, 2007

Picky traveler / 旅行怪客

好久沒玩串聯的遊戲了,最近被Constance點到名,要說出六件關於我自己的怪癖,我這個人什麼都沒有,怪癖一籮筐,但是因為兩年前已寫過類似的主題,所以這次我想把重點放在旅行上,順便把我的私房照和大家分享。

I haven't played the tag game for a long while. Constance tagged me weeks ago about a similar topic I had done two years ago--six weird things about myself. As close friends know, I have tons of weird habits. But to be more precise, this time I'd like to place the focus on traveling and share my treasured photos with you.

攝於巴里島的Kuta海灘,2007

1. 對同行的旅伴很挑剔:旅行可說是友情的最大考驗,所以我對不同路的旅伴敬謝不敏,這並不是無情的表現,而是為了我們的友情更長程的著想。選對了人上天堂,選錯的人整趟旅行不見光。圖中拿著攝影機的女孩是我這幾年來最滿意的同伴,我們之間的默契不是三言兩語可以帶過。

photo taken on the Kuta beach, 2007

1. Particular about my companion: Taking a trip together is the biggest test for any relationship, so I select my traveling companion with prudence. That doesn't mean I am a callous person. I just don't want to ruin our friendship. With the right person, a trip will take you up to heaven. With a wrong choice, the whole trip will end up hellish. The camera girl in the photo is chosen as my favorite companion in years. The mutual understanding between us is just beyond description.

攝於羅馬機場車站,2006

2. 用勞力換取自由:成年之後從來沒有跟過團,將來也不計畫跟團旅行。雖然在拖行李時常自問,為何要如此自虐,明明內心也不停幻想貴婦人的旅行,不過看到同行的自助旅客,大家紛紛賣力地提著行李往各自的目標前去,想著這一路去以及旅程的終點,都有無限的驚喜等待著,並且可以因此和當地的人和其他旅者有交集,可以因此迷路或玩找路的遊戲,可以任意更改每日的行程,我只能說,跟團雖方便,自由價更高啊!

photo taken at the airport train station, Rome, 2006

2. "Toiling" for freedom: I have not traveled with a tour group since the age of 20, and I don't plan to do so in the future. While dragging the heavy baggage and sweating like a pig, I often ask myself why I opt for such self-abuse instead of the deluxe and easy itineraries of tour group traveling. However, I am comforted at seeing other independent travelers do the same thing. It's a beautiful scene that everyone pulls hard their luggage and goes for their respective destinations. There're always surprises lying in wait along the way or at the end of the journey. As a backpacker, I thus have more opportunities to interact with local people and other travelers. I quite enjoy myself when getting lost and feel proud when finding my way. I especially love roaming around and ending in a renowned tourist spot without seriously consulting maps. Well, convenient as tour group travel might be, I cherish more the freedom of an independent traveler!

攝於羅馬,2006

3. 對於衛浴設備的堅持:我不是個極盡奢華的人,但也不喜歡委屈自己,更何況我對健康有種病態般的神經質。因為這個毛病沒什麼光榮,我選擇含蓄些,因為它,我在行前訂旅館時得大費周章,用力地查看網路上的浴室照片是否有可移動的漣澎頭,不確定的話還得寫信和旅館人員對質。不然上面的小馬桶我也接受‧‧‧

photo taken in Rome, 2006

3. Particular about toilet facilities: I am not an extragavant person, but I don't want to suffer during trips. Besides, I am unbelievably paranoid about health issues. There's nothing glorious about "my little problem," so I prefer to be more low-key here. Because of it, I have to check the photos of bathrooms with the magnifying scope before making reservations. If I am not so sure, I'll write to the hotel staff before making final decisions. Well, I am not that hard to please. I accept the little toilet in the photo as well...

攝於羅馬大競技場,2006

4. 偷拍的本能重新燃起:在日常生活裡,即使有漂亮的鏡頭,也常因為懶惰便擦身而過。旅行的時候,這種獵物的本能完完全全甦醒,看到好看的人事物,不管距離多遠,我都要一一捕捉。

photo taken at Colosseum, Rome, 2006

4. Paparazzi instinct comes to life: In daily lives, I often miss lovely scenes because of laziness. Fortunately, my paparazzi instinct never fails to be revived when traveling. When I spot good-looking people or scenes, no matter how far they are, I'll figure out ways to capture them with my dear camera.

攝於羅馬波各塞別墅,2006

5. 偏愛人煙稀少的公園和植物園:平常生活在大都市已經夠烏煙瘴氣,反正我對高級名品興趣缺缺,錯過精品街並不覺得可惜。沒有觀光客的公園和充滿綠意的植物園總是讓我心情愉悅,我不在意這些是不是熱門的觀光景點,起碼我看到了有別於台北Gucci或Prada旗艦店的美麗。

photo taken at Borghese Villa, Rome, 2006

5. Distinct preference for quiet parks and botanical gardens: My daily life has shown to me the dark and expensive sides of living in big cities. I am not into name brands, so it isn't a pity at all for me to miss the boutique streets. I can't but feel elated when I find quiet parks and green botanical gardens by accident. I don't mind if they are hot tourist attractions. At least, I see a kind of beauty different from the Gucci or Prada boutiques in Taipei.

攝於佛羅倫斯總車站,2006

6. 不介意等待:旅行中充滿了等待,等著換下一班飛機、搭下一班公車、等著餐廳座位等等,還好等待的同時總有許多風景像電影畫面般地上演,這是我見過最愉快的等待。

photo taken at the main train station, Florence, 2006

6. I don't mind waiting: Waiting is part of traveling. I wait for the next flight, wait for the next bus, wait for a free table etc. Luckily, there are stories unfolding around me while I am waiting. When it comes to waiting on my trips, I have endless patience.


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

最後一張最有感覺!
好想可以拍一部「向左看向右看」‧‧‧

constance wong said...

What a great read miragee! I love the photos - especially the last one that was taken in Florence....(hmmm...for some reasons, I suddenly thought of San Mau...)
what an enriched life you are living :)

You know what, have you ever thought of writing a book on your travels?

Marc said...

These aren't so weird... except maybe the toilet one! Just kidding. You're not the only one like that, I'm sure.

Personally, I've never really travelled because: 1) I didn't have the opportunity 2) I never really felt like it. But reading your post and looking at those pictures, I start dreaming about airports, train stations and new places!

If I travelled, I think my favourite part would be the actual physical travelling: at the airport, on a train, a boat, etc. There's something I like about being on the road...

You're very lucky to have travelled!

Weichuen You said...

Louis: 其實像最後一張這種照片都是在等待中玩弄相機,無意中拍出來的。你也很有想像力喔!

Constance: I think the last photo captured the mixed feeling of travelers.

Well, one of the good things about my life is that I get to travel regularly on a yearly basis, but some people say that they'd never do my job. I personally don't dislike it:-).

I'd love to write a THICK book on traveling if any publisher is interested. Perhaps I am too passive in this aspect, always waiting for publishers to write to me:-).

I'd like to travel to Malaysia some day too. It's interesting that my curiosity for Asian countries has been aroused.

Marc: You should travel when you have chances to do so in the future. There's something magic about traveling. I never fail to leave behind all the worries and unhappiness after returning from a trip. I also get to create a lot after having seen how others lead their lives. I don't know how my married friends survive without taking any trips, but maybe that's why I am still single, yet happy.

You know what? I have many stories about the airport and the train/ bus stations. People are gathered in a place temporarily and there are sad and joyful scenes. I still remember vividly how I waited, and sometimes ran down the LONG corridor of the airport just to catch a flight. I should tell you about these experiences some other day...You certainly give me new inspirations! Thank you Marc!

LITTLE BIRD said...

阿阿 我現身了!:)
老師 我是鳥兒 其實我潛水很久了...囧

Weichuen You said...

小鳥兒,最近怎麼大家陸續浮出水面的感覺,該不會是林曉寧幫我打廣告唄?最近過得好不好啊?

Anonymous said...

Thanks! But the girl in the left seemed to be in a bad mood... better not disturb her or anything...

Callipygia said...

This is fun to read especially with the photo. I love the porcelain toilet with the gold plated fixtures- worthy of the King himself.

Anonymous said...

曉寧說
老師 那個little bird 應該不是你想的那個小鳥耶 你誤會那個little bird了 他應該有點SAD喔 哈哈
老師 那...我可以幫你打廣告嗎 因為我很想幫你 讓更多人知道跟喜歡你的東西 幫你有更多的機會 我要你的permission喔(不好意思 其實我有偷偷的小打一下了希望你不要生氣)

Weichuen You said...

Louis: Well, I think she looks pensive:-).

Calli: Ha, so I am not the only person who loves the toilet:-). In most hotels in Italy, there is one especially for washing you know, that part after the bowel movement...

曉寧:對啦!我想一想,應該是現在的小鳥,就是小小鳥啦!

你想幫我打廣告,我很開心啊!儘管去吧!你知道,我這個人有時候不太積極的‧‧‧只管創作得很愉快。

Anonymous said...

沒想到妳對馬桶這麼講究, 我覺得衛生第一, 尤其是床單一定要乾淨無味, 沒異味也沒漂白水味, 才能一覺好眠!

Weichuen You said...

Johnny: 也對,好幾次我都睡到有腳臭味或癬味的旅館,還真是不愉快啊!