#245

1.18.22

1:52p

Sometimes I doubt whether or not I can create something worth watching from this documentary. Maybe I should scrap it and just go party in these European cities with other tourists. Maybe I shouldn’t be the one doing this because I’m not charming enough or creative or good looking. Or I can recognize the doubt as a sign I’m doing the right thing. Or I can shift my focus from making a good documentary to just connecting with these BlaBlaCar drivers so they can be heard. Doubt is a sign you’re putting in the work. This is only the start of my trip. I’ve done one ride. Anything can change. This whole project could change focus. I am exactly where I need to be.

Kiubon

#244

1.17.22

10:26a

I arrived in Madrid with my elementary Spanish feeling like a complete lunatic. I’ve prided myself in navigating public transport systems, but trying to buy a Madrid metro card and load one trip made me feel like a complete idiot. After multiple what the fucks under my breath, I headed towards my expensive hostel. Then my BlaBlaCar Driver texted with photos of the mics I left in his car. Welp. What the fuck. He sent me frantic Spanish voice memos, and I opened google translate at least 4 times in 30 seconds. I arrived in the city and ate at Walk to Wok. In that restaurant there were three total Asian people, and I haven’t seen any other Asians since. The food was delicious, and I wanted to cry.

Travel is a privilege. As I complain about having food in my belly, money to buy the food, means to take public transportation, losing expensive camera equipment, and having a sub $500 cellphone, I remind myself that travel is a privilege. All these instances shape my travel experience, making it unique and interesting. I will welcome all of them. Travel is the fattest privilege I indulge in. Like a bucket of lard in the middle of a grease pool. This is all just a fat indulgence. And I am grateful.

Kiubon.

#242

1.15.22

4:01p

I am embarking on a four month journey to capture how well strangers can connect within the span of a car ride. I will be using the carpooling service, BlaBlaCar. I am currently in Lisbon, the start of my trip, and didn’t blog the last week because of travel and scatter brain. Now that I am here, some conclusions:

It’s easy to tap out when you are uncomfortable, you must go beyond in order to grow

Travel is a privilege.

I love Lisbon.

It’s really hard for me to deny sugar, starches, and unhealthy carbs when they’re right in front of me.

Being fearful and operating under a mentality of timidness will do nothing for me. I must communicate, go beyond, and not hide in order to truly connect with other’s around me, which is the whole purpose and goal of this documentary.

Kiubon