Meet The Man Who Travels Like Water
- Jay K
- Mar 27, 2022
- 4 min read
This month’s inspirational story is Al, the founder of Travel Like Water
Al is Korean-American, born and raised in New York City but he identifies himself as a global citizen. He has traveled to over 38 countries and hundreds of cities around the world. He is currently based in Thailand. In this interview, he shares his travel experiences, views on traveling and provides inspiration for those who love traveling.
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If you were inspired and would like to learn more about Al, you can follow the Travellikewater Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/travellikewater/) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel (Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/TravelLikeWater).
Enjoy!
Why do you travel?
This answer has changed over time and the reasons are ever-evolving. One reason is to stimulate all my senses as authentically as possible through my own experiences. Over time, I developed a strong passion to challenge not only people’s preconceived notions but my own “beliefs” and thoughts of Asian-Americans that are based on mainstream media (Hollywood, Disney, Western media, Etc.). When I travel to different places, people who encounter me never knew there could be tall Asian men, or that there are Asians in the United States, and that they can speak English fluently.
What inspires you?
The idea of traveling itself inspires me every day. Some people travel for business, relaxation, holidays - to enjoy themselves. While these are all wonderful, traveling has become an extension of who I am, a part of me, helping me grow and learn. It’s the process of learning through traveling. The possibilities of traveling are infinite and that excites me every day.
How did you get started?
It all started in 2010. My parents wanted me to travel to Korea to learn more about my heritage. I was able to find some work in education and then from there, I met people from all over the world, which gave me the opportunity to talk about and share different cultures and points of view other than my own. That experience changed my life and inspired me to create Travel Like Water.
What is Travel Like Water?
The concept derives from Bruce Lee’s philosophy of life (which is much more than a martial arts style concept), “Be Like Water”, which is to “empty your mind” and “be formless”. When some people travel, they plan their itinerary and get caught up with the logistics, planning, and going with tourist-recommended locations from the “so-called experts”. To Travel Like Water, is to travel freely and openly and be in the moment. I found the greatest experience during my travels by using this approach, fully immersing myself in the environment, taking every experience as it comes, and go with the flow.
What would you like to share about your traveling experience?
Along my travel journey, I had to unlearn and relearn everything. Growing up, I had my biases and preconceived notions of different people groups, countries, and cultures. I needed to let that go and relearn all these things from a 1st - hand perspective with an open mind - not based on what society tells you to believe.
What are the current challenges for you about traveling?
There are many travelers now with a large following and subscriber base. I understand travelers
who start out sharing their journey and trying to do whatever it takes to grab people’s attention.
They travel to places people want to travel to and share their experiences based on what people want to hear.
So for me, I’m still learning how I can navigate or balance between sharing entertaining stories while bringing unbiased knowledge with some due diligence and providing an authentic and original perspective on the places I visited.
What would you like to say to those reading this? Do you have any advice to inspire them to travel?
While initially, I started out with a traveling bucket list just to say I’ve been there but it’s not about that anymore. It’s about learning, unlearning, and relearning so we can develop more empathy for people that don’t look like us or have different cultures.
For everyone who is curious about the world, traveling is a must. Get yourself in a study abroad program, teach abroad, live abroad, take a gap year or two or three. You’ll see life differently. You’ll learn and grow in ways you never thought possible. It’s a transformative life experience that opens doors you had no idea could ever be opened. Go out there and see the world.
Try to keep an open mind even if it goes against what is taught. It will allow you to bond and connect on a much deeper, more meaningful level with people from all walks of life.
If there is one inspiring word that connects with you, what would that be and why?
"Water" - Be fluid, be adaptable and be flexible. Don't become stagnant. Make uncomfortable ---- comfortable. Challenge the "norm" and don't accept everything "as is".
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