With the invention and updates of technology, it's our biggest impulse to document, and post about everything we do. When we travel, we want to brag, remember, bring every piece of the trip with us. But guess what, the more you take pictures, the less you remember the trip. As a photographer, when I first heard that I cringed. But In a way, I get it. If we focus on the view through the lens, what are we really looking at?
I'm not against social media, I'm one to take pictures or videos for the purpose of having "share worthy" posts. I've also at a point where having a cell phone has become important for contact on top of social and private media. Especially in a world like today, having communication with people is a safety measure.
Recently however, I took a chance and traveled without my cell phone down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and later the Florida Keys. I thought leaving it at home would be best, as I'd be doing so many water and beach related activities. I wouldn't be able to charge it, use it or keep it safe mostly. Plus, I had no Idea where I'd be leaving my belonging, I certainly wasn't going to stress over what could happen to my electronic device while I was supposed to have fun.
I ended up being one of the only two people who left their phone home. I am 95% glad that I did. It allowed me to experience in a way much more beneficial. During this time Pokemon Go was still a huge hit, and right when we landed it was the first thing everyone did. Me, I was like a little kid. I haven't traveled many places, but this was the first time I took a plane since I was little. Having no phone, allowed to me witness everything, and take in every detail. On the bus ride, I watched the palm trees, the neighborhoods, and amazed at the sights of the waters.
It's amazing how trapped in technology we can get, and miss the other details around us. Sure, I wished I could Instagram a photo of where I was and wanted to share what I was doing. I had a go-pro, but I couldn't see what I had taken until the end of the week. Not having that connection to the social world, allowed me to experience the real world. And it was beautiful.
When we were in the Florida Keys we lived without even a watch to tell time. It was all about appreciating the experience, and not focusing on how long it would take, or what time to be somewhere. It allowed you to be free, and at peace. Letting the day run its course, and living freely without so much care. It was great. Watching the Stars, counting the waves, really feeling the environment and what the world has to offer.
The only technology I had was the go-pro and disposable cameras. The batteries kept dying, I had no charger and I spent some time worrying over the right moments to use the camera before it died. It was like even my camera was telling me to not focus on technology. It worked out in some ways, because I got to enjoy the experience, and have the surprise of finding pictures I didn't even realize were taken.
Coming home is the 5% I wish I had my phone. Once the excitement was over, the delayed flight and the ride home was endless. You can only pace the terminal so many times. Of course, once I was home I was on my computer uploading and checking social media. Time involved in our devices can take away time from our lives. We can miss the little details that are fun to discover. It can be our friend and our enemy.
If you ever decide to travel and leave your devices at home, here's some advice. Only do it if you're with people you trust, and know you'll be together at all times. You can always borrow someone else's phone for a quick call home. Lastly, You can always google a specific image to show someone, but only you can live your experience.
