Mentalechoes

It’s just after midnight and Dave - an Aussie mate - has just left my place after being here for a few hours and a few beers (so now I’m a bit drunk). It’s always fun talking to Davo, he’s really an interesting guy. He’s a real traveller. Always moving around the world working four to six months in one country, then moving and working four to six months in another. Always partying though. He uses Amsterdam as a base and just travels from here to anywhere he feels like; anywhere a plane will fly.

I really envy the guy. He never got tied down into a long term relationship or serious career job, and never went down the road of buying his own place like I did. Consequently the guy is free, or as free as you can get in a western society. He doesn’t have any of the hassles that so many of us have got by getting sucked into the whole consumerist lifestyle that is virtually forced upon us from birth. He’s really like a modern day gypsy; he doesn’t own a great deal, but he doesn’t need a great deal as he is always moving and experiencing something different year to year.

Seeing Dave always makes me question my own situation and whether being tied down to anything is really worth it? If the - supposed - security of a sedentary lifestyle isn’t really just an illusion that really keeps us stuck in one place in geography and time. In a lot of ways I think we all just cling to things; possessions, relationships, memorabelia; because they give us a feeling of security and give us an anchor in an ever changing, ever moving world. But how much of that stuff really has any value? I mean, does having loads of stuff and being in a relationship make us more secure or happy than someone who doesn’t have anything except their freedom? Most people would say it does, but then they haven’t met Dave. Once you spend some time with Dave, you realise that all this stuff we surround ourselves with just doesn’t matter. It’s living life that really matters. Because one day it comes to an end, and the only thing that we will take with us is the things we learned and the experiences we had.

Rest In Peace, Gav! Miss ya buddy!

Padwanna!