Always Twirling

On the loneliness of travel

Peter Cresswell — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:30:32 +0000

I recently watched the beautiful work of Commander Hadfield singing the legendary David Bowie song, “Space Oddity”. It was an appropriate send off piece for Hadfield who has been stationed above earth for the past few months as commander of the international space station.

The piece is beautiful. Hadfield takes advantage of his unique position and does a great job of shooting himself in his surroundings. The lyrics fit wonderfully with the music. When I watched it, I felt an stronger emotional reaction to the song than I normally have (I love the song). I felt the loneliness of the lyrics more deeply and profoundly than I had before.

While I was traveling with Susana, there were more than a few instances where I felt alone. Obviously it had nothing to do with a lack of company or a lack of activities to attend to.

It was more of the “alone in a crowded room” feeling. It was the loneliness that comes from being out of sync with yourself, your friends and family and the world in general. I met countless people while traveling but couldn’t shake the mental distance sometimes.

As I watched Hadfield float around the earth in his tin can, that feeling returned to me. I imagined the loneliness that would come from being an international star (Hadfield really has become something of a celebrity from his performances) who has grown his stardom in the absolute isolation of space. I also imagined the process he must have taken to go where he has now been. While I’m sure he’s thrilled to be in space just as I was thrilled to have left my job to travel the world, I suspect Hadfield knows a thing or two about loneliness. I think you can see it in the video.

And just as I have sometimes struggled to connect with others over my experiences while traveling, I can only imagine the difficulty that Hadfield will have connecting. Lots of people travel but how many spend extended time in space?

Of all the experiences that travel provided me, the psychological ones were the most profound and I continue to hear echoes of them in my life. I suspect Hadfield will too. But it is a wonderful video.

Instagram: Summer has arrived in Canada.

Peter Cresswell — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:17:57 +0000

We’re at St. Louie’s Wings And Ribs

Peter Cresswell — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:06:04 +0000

Trying out the wings for game night. God help the leafs do anything but suck tonight.

Checked into St. Louie’s Wings And Ribs on May 05, 2013 at 06:05AM

St. Louie’s Wings And Ribs

Peter Cresswell — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:05:43 +0000

Trying out the wings for game night. God help the leafs do anything but suck tonight.
checked in on May 05, 2013 at 06:05AM

Instagram: Hipster suggestion box

Peter Cresswell — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:29:09 +0000

Earth to Table Bread Bar

Peter Cresswell — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:41:56 +0000

Brunch.
checked in on May 04, 2013 at 09:41PM

Instagram: Peter in a jeep in Colombia

Peter Cresswell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:32:41 +0000

We’re at The Miller Tavern on Yonge

Peter Cresswell — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:14:42 +0000

Does life get better? I doubt it.

Checked into The Miller Tavern on Yonge on April 28, 2013 at 07:14AM

The Miller Tavern on Yonge

Peter Cresswell — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:14:36 +0000

Does life get better? I doubt it.
checked in on April 28, 2013 at 07:14AM

We’re at Starbucks

Peter Cresswell — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:03:13 +0000

First coffee on the patio

Checked into Starbucks on April 28, 2013 at 12:02AM