Why “Gypsy’s Bang”?

“Gyspsy”

QUOTE

Since the Romantic period, Gypsies have had a glamorous image for writers and artists outside their communities, evoking ideas of freedom, exotic passion, mystery, and a life close to nature. In folk tradition, however, the stereotyping is negative; Gypsies are seen as dangerous outsiders.
One inclined to a nomadic, unconventional way of life.


A person who moves from place to place as required for employment.


Dreaming about gypsies may indicate the desire to roam freely without responsibilities and obligations, or to venture forth to seek one's fortune by chance.

UNQUOTE


Why not ‘vagabond’?

QUOTE

A vagabond is an itinerant person. A vagabond is characterized by almost continuous traveling, lacking a fixed home, temporary abode, or permanent residence. Vagabonds are not bums, as bums are not known for traveling, preferring to stay in one location.
Historically, "vagabond" was a British legal term similar to vagrant, deriving from the Latin for 'purposeless wandering'.
UNQUOTE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

I have been moving around because of work and studies for the last 10 years. These months -sans work and sans studies- I will continue with the itinerant life, except that, unlike a vagabond, these trips are purposeful: either spending no-rush time with family, or going on trips that enable self-exploration and learning different disciplines related to the well-being (from meditation to yoga). It may seem selfish on the surface, but by investing that time in myself, I could actually make a difference in the lives of those who interact with me.

Also, just as in the Romantic period, nowadays gypsies are sometimes seen as dangerous… particularly when landing in tight, narrow-minded, non-itinerant societies. Because they do not know, they fear. Yes, ignorance is the source of all suffering.

On the other hand, some others view gypsies through a rosy glass, as having a sheer all-fun life, probably overlooking the not-short list of hindrances that this type of life entails.


As a descendant of immigrants from the other end of this world, I believe that all the concepts mentioned in the definition above swim in my bloodstream.


“Bang” is a sound generated by an explosion (usually with a positive connotation, unlike the “boom“). It would be pretentious to expect a ‘big bang’ to come out of these trips- and material for subsequent disappointment. Gypsies are usually noisy and loud, their music too (bang, bang, bang!). So, this is the beginning of a gypsy’s sound… as loud as many people want to hear, as explosive as any discovery; and if it ends up being big, then, it would be sheer pleasant shocker.



My apologies for not issuing this writing earlier… my mind was in the mode of ‘travel agency’, fine-tuning logistics for upcoming gypsying.
Coming next: chapters promised at the Big Birth.

Gypsy's Bang! Welcome to a Big birth!

Welcome to the birth of Gypsy's Bang! In the upcoming months, you will probably witness the 'big bangs' of this gypsy who is increasing the pace of her moving around, expanding the latitudes and pumping up the excitement of this journey. How Big those Bangs are, will depend on my exposure to experiences, my discipline in reflecting and in continuing with this blog, and of course, on your inputs, on our connection.


What are my plans? February: Buddhist Monastery in USA for about a week. March: India, at an unorthodox, non-religious ashram. I am not a Buddhist or a Hindu; I am 100% Western. After that…. stay tuned! (I have honestly no idea at this moment).

Warning!: if you are expecting to get a typical travelers’ journal, sorry you are in the wrong site. If you are expecting to see pictures of touristy spots around the world, sorry you are in the wrong site. If you are expecting to read detailed journal of what is ‘hot and sexy’ in the places I visit, sorry you are in the wrong site. The spirit of this blog is to share experiences with you, highlights of my weeks and/or events that inspire me to reflect. I can tell you that my mantra during this year is that I do not want to be city-hopping (or village-hopping), and I would actually prefer to stay away of cities. I would like to stay at places I visit for at least about a month.


Why am I starting a blog? For 3 main reasons, some practical, some altruistic, some sheer selfish:

a- I love to write. I have been writing for many years. People who have read my writings enjoyed them and have encouraged me to continue. I have always been sought as ‘the writer’ in most situations in life: from student life at all ages, to work and everyday family & friends life.

b- I am embarking soon in a tremendously exciting 'chapter' of this book that is called 'my sabbatical'. Yes, I have started a sabbatical year and the best is yet to come. My friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances have asked to stay in touch, to tell them about my adventures, to send pictures, to even write a journal. Having this blog is probably the most practical way to accomplish this and keep them all happy.

c- Many of these people, if not all, when they learnt about my sabbatical draft plans, said: “Oh, I envy you (but you know, the ‘good’ envy)!”, “Oh, I wish I could do that! But I cannot because of work / family / obligations / financial constraints”, “Oh, I wish I could have done that at your age! Everyone should do this at some point in their lives, ideally around your age!” “Oh, I wish I could do that, but I cannot. I admire your boldness and bravery. I wish I had them.” So, to all those people who would have liked to be my shadow in this long trip, I cannot bring them with me, but I can take to them my experiences, I can share with them the most relevant and meaningful aspects of these months. Maybe I can transform their regret and ‘good envy’ (?) in joy, awakening, or pleasure. And also, believe me my joy is greater when I can share those precious scarce good moments with others!


Thanks for stopping by, and I hope we meet at this spot again soon!



Coming soon... just until the true excitement starts:

- Why a “gypsy”?

- Who is this ‘gypsy’ really?

- Who said the adventure has not started? I am in my native Argentina after 3 years of not visiting… what does it feel like? What are my perceptions?

- It seems there is little planning… why?

- Why staying so long in all places?