Travelling

Am I travelling? Or allowing myself to be transported?

This was the thought that struck me as I was travelling through the South Yorkshire countryside, the sun was setting and creating some gorgeous colours, and I realised I had inadvertantly passed the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (which I have yet to make it to - but I look forward to the day when I do!)

So, back to the philosophical question. I travel a lot. And when I'm physically involved in the act (be it walking, cycling, or perhaps even driving a car, as I do on occasion) I feel like I'm travelling. But today on the bus I very much felt like a passive actor, permitting the process of travelling to happen to me. Allowing someone else to take control of my safety and guide the bus through the countryside. Maybe it struck me today because I'm normally on a train and feel a further step disconnected from the driver. Maybe it's because I was dozing and happened to feast upon this idea. Who knows. But it was an interesting reflection.

As was my art gallery experience on Saturday morning (I also ended up in the Tate Modern on Sunday afternoon, but that was somewhat incidental). I was on a bit of an extended trip around various South London furniture shops (resulting in me probably purchasing something from ebay...of course) and had all day to do it so when I realised I was approaching the South London Art Gallery I decided to stop and say hello. Having cycled past it many times previously and not done so, nor remembered to go back at a more opportune moment. Unfortunately for me it was mainly dedicated to a video installation (not my favourite type of art) but they also had an exhibit which was auditory - after climbing a flight of stairs (the whole exhibition was pretty dark) it got even darker, wound round a corner and I ended up in a round space, with cushioned benches in the middle. I stopped and listened for a while and really rather enjoyed it. Not what I was expecting, but an experience all the same.

Many thoughts and many possibilities reside in my being at the moment. And right now I must go and read some paperwork. Oh, the joys.