The first reason I give to people who ask me why I'm going to the places I'm going is "because I've never been there." I would like to go everywhere I've never been if I could; I think every place on earth offers something interesting to experience. Whether that place is pretty or ugly, pristine or perverse, majestic or dull, I think there's something great to see everywhere.
Of course it takes a certain amount of creativity and intellectual to appreciate things in plain sight that plain people might otherwise take for granted. Most people walk through life and places without admiring the details in their surroundings, either because they're unable to do so, or because they see the world revolving around them instead of the other way around.
There are many reasons why I'm going to Alaska. I was first inspired by the movie
Into the Wild. Since then I've been taking action towards this imminent goal. I was also urged to experience the vast wilderness first hand by various shows on Discovery and Animal Planet of course.
Whatever the reason may be, my advice is to pause for a moment every time you're outside. Take a step back and learn to appreciate the simplest things in life, the air against your skin, the sound of trees, the color of the sky. Train your vision and look in directions you might not have looked at next time you pass by a familiar place. You'll be surprised by how many interesting details you miss on a daily basis. Once you've trained your senses to be deeply perceptive you will realize how unaware of everything people really are. It's funny, actually.
