I propose an everything-in-moderation solution to the traveler’s wired soul. In some respects, it’s the ideal mix: keep a pen-and-paper journal for private memories and self-reflection, take photos to document the beautiful and bizarre (but not too many, because seriously, how many shots do you need of the Eiffel Tower?) In lieu of snapping fifty carbon-copy photos, slip your notebook out of your pocket and use that time to record your impression, rather than a machine’s. (What does it smell like? What does it sound like?)

Then, rather than making a beeline for the internet café to type the particulars of your day into your blog, enter them in your journal first, and then transcribe only the finest parts, such as witty and insightful cultural commentary, to your blog. Weed through your words, considering your audience, and choose the paragraphs you’d want to read. Spruce them up and put them online. Use the Internet as a tool to entertain and inform, and pare down the longwinded mass emails. If you have a tremendous amount to say, tell your blog, and offer friends the option to subscribe. (And don’t harangue them with “Read my blog!” emails or waste time wondering whether anyone is checking it.) Always keep some stories for yourself—they are yours, after all.

Ella, you are absolutely correct about keeping a hand-written journal. I wish I had kept a journal in my younger and more exciting days when I traveled a lot especially, when I traveled to other countries. Life was much more interesting back then. I purchased some journals recently but I haven’t anything interesting to write about. Every day seems to be a dull day.

Reading your blog has sparked an interest in me. I should put down on paper a carefully organized chronological outline, sit on it for a number of days, and return to it to update periods or events I’ve forgotten, and then, begin to record my travels. It might be interesting for my son to read one day.

To the rest of you out there, write. Even if you have an aversion to writing as I did when I was younger. If you don’t, you may find yourselves like me later on … wishing I (you) had made the effort. I remember the evening but it’s not as fresh in my mind as it was “then.” Sitting at the base of the Statue of Liberty on the Ile des Cygnes at midnight, facing West towards NYC on the other side of the big pond. Who knew it was there? Little discoveries.

Similiarly if you are aware of your conscious desires and your subconscious desires (through your proposed morning writing), you poised to capture opportunities when they present themselves. Why? Because you, me, we, are already aware, we have already made a decision that plans out where we want to go, what we want to do and because of that precog. awareness we can be a step ahead of the game, cosmically.

@freeandeasy