In Search of Common Bonds

steelhorsenyc · 05-22-2013, 12:58 PM

On August 8th, 2011, I bid farewell to my cousin, my niece and the last 7 years in New York City, and hit the road on my 1999 Honda Magna VF-750 motorcycle. In the weeks leading up to the day I had given up my apartment, sold most of what I owned, shipped a few boxes to my mom, and said good bye to all my friends and students.

I set out to circumnavigate the globe, via 150 or so countries. I knew better than to predict how long it would take, or to pretend I knew exactly why I was going. The only thing I was sure of was that I needed to go. My 29th birthday was approaching, I had finally found my calling as a teacher, and also realized that I would never write the books I wanted to write as long as I taught public high school. As much as I loved what I was finally doing with my life, there was no room for writing, not after 12 hours of teaching and planning and grading and just being there for the students. I saw what happened to Frank McCourt (worked 40 years as a teacher, retired, wrote 3 amazing books, and promptly died), and I didn’t want that to be me. I also knew that as I was getting to be the age where I should start thinking about marriage and kids, and there was no way I could ever leave them for however many years it would take to go on this journey. So it was now or never, and I chose now.

With every passing day the purposes of my journey reveal themselves. My writing and ideas take shape, and the stories and messages I want to share with the world become more and more apparent.

I'm going to try something different on ADV, by posting links to ride reports which I post on my website. There will be plenty of pictures as well. I am often without good internet access, so it is much easier having just one place to post. Let me know what you guys think!

steelhorsenyc · 05-22-2013, 01:02 PM

Why I chose to ride a motorcycle around the world:

http://www.alexandertolchinsky.com/main/?p=254

steelhorsenyc · 05-22-2013, 04:08 PM

First days on the road:
http://www.alexandertolchinsky.com/main/?p=256

Oldone · 05-22-2013, 09:23 PM

This just might be a pretty cool way to do your writing. Thanks for taking the time to keep up with this RR. Great idea! Stay safe~~~~

Gary

05-22-2013, 12:58 PM	#1
steelhorsenyc ^OP n00b Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Circumnavigating the world Oddometer: 3	In Search of Common Bonds: Around the World On August 8th, 2011, I bid farewell to my cousin, my niece and the last 7 years in New York City, and hit the road on my 1999 Honda Magna VF-750 motorcycle. In the weeks leading up to the day I had given up my apartment, sold most of what I owned, shipped a few boxes to my mom, and said good bye to all my friends and students. I set out to circumnavigate the globe, via 150 or so countries. I knew better than to predict how long it would take, or to pretend I knew exactly why I was going. The only thing I was sure of was that I needed to go. My 29th birthday was approaching, I had finally found my calling as a teacher, and also realized that I would never write the books I wanted to write as long as I taught public high school. As much as I loved what I was finally doing with my life, there was no room for writing, not after 12 hours of teaching and planning and grading and just being there for the students. I saw what happened to Frank McCourt (worked 40 years as a teacher, retired, wrote 3 amazing books, and promptly died), and I didn’t want that to be me. I also knew that as I was getting to be the age where I should start thinking about marriage and kids, and there was no way I could ever leave them for however many years it would take to go on this journey. So it was now or never, and I chose now. With every passing day the purposes of my journey reveal themselves. My writing and ideas take shape, and the stories and messages I want to share with the world become more and more apparent. I'm going to try something different on ADV, by posting links to ride reports which I post on my website. There will be plenty of pictures as well. I am often without good internet access, so it is much easier having just one place to post. Let me know what you guys think! steelhorsenyc screwed with this post 05-22-2013 at 04:07 PM

05-22-2013, 01:02 PM	#2
steelhorsenyc ^OP n00b Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Circumnavigating the world Oddometer: 3	Why I chose to ride a motorcycle around the world: http://www.alexandertolchinsky.com/main/?p=254 steelhorsenyc screwed with this post Yesterday at 01:44 PM

05-22-2013, 09:23 PM	#4
Oldone One day at a time! Joined: Jul 2009 Location: MN. (summers) AZ. (winters) Oddometer: 378	Very unique.... This just might be a pretty cool way to do your writing. Thanks for taking the time to keep up with this RR. Great idea! Stay safe~~~~ Gary

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05-22-2013, 04:08 PM	#3
steelhorsenyc ^OP n00b Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Circumnavigating the world Oddometer: 3	First days on the road: http://www.alexandertolchinsky.com/main/?p=256