A few years ago, I spent nine months backpacking Europe, roaming from Spain to Morocco, then France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, before exploring Ireland, Scotland, England and Iceland, and it was the most magical, life-changing time of my life. Not only did I meet hundreds of amazing people from all around the world, I was able to explore countless amazing places and cities, and take endless photos of gorgeous places, but I also found something within myself.
To become a worldly person, you must accept the tearing down of any and all walls, judgements and preconceived ideas of reality, because if you don’t, real travel will do that for you. When you’re in a country where you don’t speak the language and you know nobody, you’re left with the sincerest form of self; one may call it inner travel. With these experiences, authentic truth can be found, new perspectives and powerful emotions can be unlocked, that, when we’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the modern working lifestyle, have been lost and forgotten. Sometimes you just have to jump, and sometimes you just have to let the adventure take you along, rather than you along it.
To become a worldly person, you must accept the tearing down of any and all walls, judgements and preconceived ideas of reality, because if you don’t, real travel will do that for you. When you’re in a country where you don’t speak the language and you know nobody, you’re left with the sincerest form of self; one may call it inner travel. With these experiences, authentic truth can be found, new perspectives and powerful emotions can be unlocked, that, when we’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the modern working lifestyle, have been lost and forgotten. Sometimes you just have to jump, and sometimes you just have to let the adventure take you along, rather than you along it.
When I was in Europe, I lost track of time, and it was beautiful. I had shed the worries of everyday modern life and I learned how to feel and see and sense again. And with this freedom came a desire to move slowly, so I did. I moved slow from place to place, taking in the sights, watching the people, breathing in the air and appreciating this crazy thing called life. What also came with this freedom was, well, a lax in personal grooming. Not only did I let my beard grow out, I let my hair grow long past by face, and something raw stirred in me, something primal, which guided me to realize the true beauties of life is the world we live in, the nature we come from, the air we breathe, and the water that sustains us.
But once I decided I had had enough for one trip, after nine months, I booked my plane tickets home, via Iceland, and took a long hard look at myself in the mirror… And I laughed. I just laughed and laughed and laughed. I looked like a homeless man with wild hair and plenty of split ends, and an unkempt beard that looked like a tangle of rosebushes. So, I sought out a clipper kit suitable for taking with me on my next adventure and got to work. You should have seen the pile of hair, you would have thought a monkey had shed his coat – wait… Maybe so.
But once I decided I had had enough for one trip, after nine months, I booked my plane tickets home, via Iceland, and took a long hard look at myself in the mirror… And I laughed. I just laughed and laughed and laughed. I looked like a homeless man with wild hair and plenty of split ends, and an unkempt beard that looked like a tangle of rosebushes. So, I sought out a clipper kit suitable for taking with me on my next adventure and got to work. You should have seen the pile of hair, you would have thought a monkey had shed his coat – wait… Maybe so.
Some readers have asked for my recommendations for lightweight products that they can take with them when they travel by backpack, and so I like to feature my favorites where possible. Now-a-days when I travel, I take a versatile, yet tidy little clipper set that helps me maintain my beard and my hair. Often times, I like to keep the hair on my head low and my beard medium long but trimmed up clean. Andis has a solid clipper kit in the Select Cut Clipper Kit, that is cordless, and quite versatile as it works great for both beards and head cuts. It has a 4-position blade an reversible attachment combs so you can cut down on the weight and space required to backpack one of these along with you. While carrying clippers with you isn’t a requirement, it can make you feel good to be clean shaven as you travel, because oftentimes the heat can be a burden; plus, people tend to be less skeptical of a clean-shaven fellow.
If you would like to learn more about Andis Clipper Kit, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott / Main photo by orangetaki via Flickr / Product photos by © Andis.
If you would like to learn more about Andis Clipper Kit, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott / Main photo by orangetaki via Flickr / Product photos by © Andis.
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