The Inspiration of New England
New York State, USA - 2013
In 2006, when I was 16 years old and in my second year of high school, I had the best teacher a kid could ask for.
He was absolutely crazy. In addition to the normal class material, he did crazy things. One lesson, he threw some pencils and erasers out the window and jumped out to get them. Then he started throwing them back into the room, all to teach us a lesson about recycling. The next class, maybe he was on top of his desk dancing and shouting things at us. After that, maybe he was silent at his desk, quietly crying because his students from his previous class didn’t like him. Really, just crazy.
Vermont, USA - 2013
The thing I remember most about this teacher was, above all, his passion for life. And one class, he told us something that stuck in my mind.
He told us that every fall, he took a drive up to a section of the USA called New England. It’s a region in the northeast of the country famous for the change of seasons from summer to fall. I had never been there. New England consists of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and is on the northern border of New York State (not New York City).
Vermont, USA - 2013
The way that my teacher described this drive was astounding, and it seemed so tranquil. A way to relax and find peace. A breathtaking, even philosophical experience. Winding roads through the mountains, surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of nature. The forests seemingly on fire with shades of red, orange, and gold. A place dotted with cozy cottages, old-fashioned covered bridges, and grassy meadows. I wanted to go but at the time he told us, I was only 16. I didn’t have money, time, or a car. So I held onto that idea, looking for the perfect year to make it happen. That moment came when I quit my job in 2013.
The freedom that the road provides is hard to describe. I had no specific destination, just a car and a phone camera. Time was not really a factor. I left for three days and I wanted to enjoy the trip, surrounded by the brilliant and captivating colors of nature.
I spent those three days seeing some of the most amazing scenery I had ever seen. After stopping off in Massachusetts for a hike in a place called October Mountain State Forest, I specifically remember arriving in Vermont at night, not knowing what was around me, and looking for a space to park my car and sleep. Waking up early the next morning after an uncomfortable night, the surrounding mountains caught me by surprise, intimidating with their size, but inviting with their beauty. The following day, I drove around, covering as much ground as I possibly could. Everything around me was a feast for the eyes and I took it all in.
I was alone on a solo trip for the first time in my life and I loved everything about it. The solitude, freedom, and feeling of independence was unlike anything I had ever experienced. During the trip, I had confirmed why my teacher’s passion for New England stood out to me all those years ago, and I knew I wanted more. I knew I wanted to explore for the rest of my life.
Vermont, USA - 2013
