It’s been a few months since Covid hit and with the world still in various stages of lockdown, one thing is for sure — international travel (for us Aussies at least) is off the agenda for a good while longer. Apparently the number of planes in the air at this time equals the stats for 1958. I hope the skies are enjoying the break!
When I was standing in Marrakech Airport at 1 am without a ticket, not knowing if I was going to make it home before the Moroccan borders closed the next day, the thought that modern travel is such a privilege, was never clearer.
We’ve become so accustomed to the ease and freedom of portalling in and out of different countries, cities, locations, that we haven’t realised how addicted have become to fast travel. It’s odd (and another indication of our first world privilege) that we so often use our fast travel to take us to an ancient place, where all we want to do is slow down, and bask in a yearning for times when few people ventured away from their home territory.
It’s a tough call for travellers all around the world to have to put their plans on hold, to restrain the impulse to get up whenever they feel like it. Few commentators are attempting to make informed guesses about when we can jump on long flights again, and when we can, I wonder how eager people will be while uncertainty and risk still abounds.
There is only one thing for it, we have to make creativity our new passport. We have to come up with new ways of circling the globe, of visiting friends on our favourite paradise islands, of making connections in far off places. We can spend our newfound time reflecting on past travels through writing and making art, while envisioning future travels closer to home.
At Writer’s Journey the past months has been an intensely creative time, spent collaborating with local and international partners to find creative solutions to the new global constraints. Like many others we’ve ventured into the online space and have come up with a number of virtual getaways. All events will be offered on zoom with video interactions from our host country. Alongside there are creativity workshops for writers, artists or anyone with a creative bent or a curious yen for travel. We hope you can join us!
July 25,26. (Frid eve intro, Sat, Sun)
The Six Senses of Sefrou is an online Moroccan Getaway for writers and artists. Via video experiences and zoom workshops, you are invited to into the ancient medina of Sefrou meet the personalities and characters of this vibrant market town.
At the same you will be guided through creative explorations of the six senses in your own writing or artistic work, and can use the weekend to activate an already existing project or start one anew. July 25, 26. Sat, Sun with intro Frid eve. With Jess Stephens (Sefrou) and Jan Cornall (Sydney). More info and bookings here.
August 28,29. (Frid eve intro plus Sat)
The Language of Story with Gumbaynggirr Elder, Micklo Jarrett, from NSW mid northcoast. We invite you on a creative online journey into the stories, language and culture of the Gumbaynggirr people of the Mid North Coast of NSW. Introducing us to the sounds and syllables of his language and the characters of traditional Gumbaynggirr stories, respected elder Micklo Jarret will open a window into the complex culture that has sustained his people for tens of thousands of years. While reflecting on the significance and relevance of such stories in today’s world, facilitator Jan Cornall will offer creative techniques and methods for artists and writers to respond through their creative medium. Sat Aug 28. with intro session on Frid eve. More info here.
September, date tbc.
Afternoon Tea in Tehran with local guide Golna Zamani. Video interactions, creativity exercises from the streets of Tehran. Dates tbc. More info coming soon!
October, dates tbc.
Italy Dreaming, a week long stay at home retreat with virtual interactions between Australia and Italy, including tours of village of Mercatello Sul Metauro with local Luisa Donati, online collage and bookmaking classes with Italian artists and artisans. Participants will be invited to send their finished books for exhibition in Mercatello and Florence. More info coming soon!
Contact Jan here for more info.
