The citizen of the box

I have come to realise that sometimes we can become tourists of the city, in which we live. Going only to “recommended” places, following specific routes, talking to a few handful of people are daily routines that save us precious time. Time, which we so skilfully manage to spend meeting deadlines, fulfilling responsibilities and setting up future goals. These necessary evils do not allow us the luxury of experimentation- the luxury of getting to know the area, in which we work, drive, commute...live. 

There is no time for  that.
We, then, inhabit but not live. We inhabit in a well-ventilated sunny and stable box, constructed by the "have to's" and "should do's".  Undoubtedly there are some people, who have a yearn for travelling. And they do travel. They visit other cities, other countries, even other continents...

An old story has it that a banker went on holidays with his family in a beautiful island. Everyday while he was enjoying the sun by the sea, he could see a fisherman returning from his work. One day he asked the fisherman why he never stayed longer in the sea to catch more fishes."What for?" replied the fisherman. Then, the banker eloquently explained that the fisherman could sell the additional fishes and soon enough he could buy a second boat. Slowly he could build a fleet and a successful business. With careful planning his company could even be listed in the New York Stock Exchange, and in about 25 years from now he could sell it and come back in that island to retire and fish for leisure. The fisherman gave a pat at the banker's back and before he walked away he said: "That's what I already have".

For me this story teaches that sometimes we are doing the best we can- and it is really great - but maybe we don't have a clear picture. Maybe we are living in a silo, in a "golden" box and our perspective is limited. Society imposes certain rules: work hard, travel far.  To travel all around the world but not to know about the city, in which we live, isn't it an oxymoron? Not to know what’s happening in this area every morning, in that area every evening.. Society also encourages authenticity and genuineness. Living in a silo is not consistent with the concept of traveller. We like to go on safaris,  transcend deserts, visit volcanoes and watch exotic animals. Sometimes, though, we have no idea how the streets look like 400 metres away from our bus or tube stop. 

My advice? I would see this more as a resolution for myself: if you want to travel, firstly start from the city, in which you live. Take a 15 minute walk, feel the city vibe, know its people, its places, its culture.

The ideal scenario for every tourist visiting a city is to do what a real citizen does. See the city through a citizen's eyes.  You are one; what do your eyes show?



Photo Sources:
1. Unsplash
2. Unsplash