I am listening to Peter Cetera, a voice and music that I have loved far longer than I knew, because for years I didn’t know he was the voice of Chicago that I was so enamored by. It is so nice to have my music again.
I actually made a conscious decision to not bring my favorite music on my trip. I had a nice, small iPod Nano that would have been easy to bring. I was bringing an iPhone and MacBook Air. But on the latter two I wanted to keep the limited space available for work files, photos and videos. And I made my friend take my Nano so she could have music to walk to.
My thought was that while traveling I preferred to be exposed to local music and sounds. I knew I would be doing a LOT of walking — and I sure did! — and I normally love my music as I walk. Great music makes a long walk faster, makes any walk easier, and keeps my walking at a faster pace. But I was traveling to meet people and learn cultures and having ear phones in your ears sends a message to people to not try to speak with you.
I didn’t really miss my music. I loved the sounds of the streets everywhere I walked in Central America this past year. I loved hearing the birds at dusk in Merida (Mexico) and in Panama City, the birds at dawn in Roatan and so many places I had the privilege to stay. I loved the sounds of the oceans, of the rain, of parents with children…
But now that I am sitting alone in Los Angeles, working in front of my good old Mac, enjoying its rich sound and the familiar, rich tones of Peter Cetera and great horns and music, I am also looking forward to hearing my other life-long and long-time favorite sounds, tones, words, thoughts, rhythms… And I realize I would have loved to have this music with me as I traveled. There were times it would have been comforting, times I would have benefited from a bit of it.
So, if you can bring your favorite tunes as you travel long-term, do. You don’t need gigs of music. Just your favorites. Just for once in a while.