Global Backpacking: A Portrait of Nations
There is an ever-growing collective of people who renounce the mainstream idea of stability for a more fun-loving, adventurous lifestyle. They travel the world in search of true freedom and the spiritual threads that connect us all.
My dream is to become one of these freedom seekers. To step outside of my comfort zone as Patrick, student of New York University, to become Patrick, student of this dynamic world we live in.
I propose putting a halt on my formal schooling for an entire 365 days, for what I believe is the most true form of education: the spirit of travel and human connection. I propose packing my hiking back and traveling the globe in search of true cultural experience -- to pray at the Hindu temples of India, to trek through the rain forests of Zimbabwe, to try my first authentically Mexican burrito. I propose carrying my camera with me on my travels, documenting the many and varying people I will meet on my journeys: from the dry-season rice field farmers of Cambodia to the colorful harajuku girls of Japan.
I propose traveling modestly and experiencing fully. Hopping on freight trains to get up the coast of California, taking a gondola to cross the Amazon river, dining as the natives do and making friends with local street vendors. My aim is to abandoned the mainstream idea of stability and comfort to absorb what it really means to live on the edge of life, to be an urban nomad eager to meet the many beautiful people and cultures that lay on the other side of the globe.
Photography is the perfect canvas for this venture, with its unique ability to tell an entire story in a single image. I aim to capture the spirit of every city, providence, even nation that I visit. The hypnotic dance motions of Argentine flamenco dancers, the passionate eyes of a third-generation Italian vineyard operator.
While my dream is to travel and experience the unique and wonderful people that make up this awe inspiring world we live in, I also aim to show just how connected we all are to one another. To highlight that life is not about the minute differences we've imagined, but about how the spirit of laughter and lightheartedness unites us. I want to show through my travels that we are all, in essence, similar; citizens and participants in global oneness.
If given this opportunity to travel and document the world, every cell in my body would vibrate towards capturing the spirit of nations. The smiles, the laughter, the open hearts and welcoming homes. The world is a beautiful place if you choose to see it that way. My dream is to show you.
34 Comments
Don't forget to vote for your own idea! You vote by clicking on the number in the upper left corner of this page. If it is black, you didn't vote for it yet. It turns yellow when you do vote. Good luck!
good luck mi amor
you know if you win, i'm going with
same if it's the other way around =)
I think you would learn a lot from traveling the world for a year. There is no better education than real life!! Would you plan the trip in detail before you left? Or would you just let your travels take you where they take you? You have my vote. Good luck!
a year is a long time, so i want to have a loose itinerary of countries i'm going to visit but give myself a couple of weeks to travel around every region. structured, but with a lot of room for growth and freedom. thanks for voting for me, this has always been my lifelong dream
I voted for you. I know you're a really talented individual and I would love to see your dreams come true. Good luck!
Some great ideas like yours are getting lost in the wave of network votes so if you like my idea please vote for me, and I will in turn vote for the ideas that have the heart of inspirational photographers .
Good luck, and thanks for your vote/comment... Jkava888
I voted for you, please vote for me too!
I voted, hope it works. Life is there for everyone, we just have to be willing to experience it :D
Good luck Patrick!
I love this idea! check out mine and Pic it if youd like! Congo here I come...
This would be beautiful. Good luck!
Patrick,
From that sixth grade couch in NCS, this subsitute alaways knew you would make it; you still deserve to and you still will. Be nice to yourself!
Patrick P. Cosgrove
Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!
hey love, good luck! you betta include China as a stop on your trip. ~chidelia
goodluck babe! do you think I could fit in your suitcase? I mean if anything, you might need someone to help you carry all of your equipment!
I love this idea! check out mine and Pic it if youd like! Congo here I come...
Hey it's Corey, hope you win buddy. And take me with you
Good luck. If you win, you'll be a gypsy for REAL.
Just make sure to log on to the internet every once in a while and let someone know you're alive!
This is great idea!
Dude, this is awesome. i was your 64th pick. GUESS WHO DIS IS!
thanks for all of your votes so far
i really want this!
i really hope you get this patrick - i'm glad you know what you dream is.
it's been a long time since NCCS, but seriously, good luck
i'll keep my fingers crossed!
meagan coneeny
Hey - Fantastic idea!
You've got my vote ... Will you check mine out and give me a vote? Hang in there!
Keep shooting ... D
i love backpacking projects! this fits the concept of this "nameyourassignment" website!
please have a look at my backpacking (and spiritual) in Tibet
good luck, voted for you
#93! you in there....scissors me xerces
Best of luck you could wander like Bemjamin Button. Voted.
Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Good idea. I'm in Thailand at the moment -- a great place for part of this shoot. I'm voting for you. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project on political struggles, land seizures and rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
hey man, all i can say is you deserve this.
-Whit
You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!
Thanks.
-Adam
most of the projects here are documentary assignments, and most of the judges are documentary photographs. I believe in my project, but I don't think I have a chance, coz my project is more conceptual. Anyways.. good luck with yours!
Neat idea!!
I just PIC'd you, so please stop by and leave a comment ...and a vote!
I'm a photographer who is trying to change the world, starting with my community.
Thanks!
I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.
Good Luck Patrick... I made my friend i was sitting next to sign up too!
I voted for you. May I suggest that you look at some of the dreams different people have posted here (mine is about children) and vote for the ones you like best. If you leave a comment, they can link back to your dream by clicking on your name and you might get a vote. Good luck!