Albert Camus, from Leonard Cohen's reading list, makes an appearance here, from Notebooks, 1935–1951: What gives value to travel is fear. It is the fact that, at a certain moment, when we are so far from our own country … we are seized by a vague fear, and an instinctive desire to go back to the protection of old habits. This is the most obvious benefit of travel. At that moment we are feverish but also porous, so that the slightest touch makes us quiver to the depths of our being. {emphasis added}
In "Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell," David Yaffe explores the essence of travel and its inherent connection to fear, drawing upon a quote from Albert Camus. Travel, he asserts, acquires its true value through the absence of familiar surroundings, which evokes a sense of unease and a longing for the comfort of home. This emotional response emphasizes how distance from our roots can deepen our awareness and sensitivity to our experiences.
As we venture into the unknown, our heightened state of vulnerability can lead to profound reactions to our surroundings. In this way, fear and longing merge, allowing us to engage with places and moments more intensely. This duality plays a critical role in shaping our understanding of both ourselves and the world during our travels, reinforcing the idea that such experiences, despite their challenges, are invaluable to personal growth.
