I realised very early on that, for me, travelling was the best way of learning. I still have a pilgrim soul, and I thought that I would use this blog to pass on some of the lessons I have learned, in the hope that they might prove useful to other pilgrims like me.
1. Avoid museums. This might seem to be absurd advice, but let’s just think about it a little: if you are in a foreign city, isn’t it far more interesting to go in search of the present than of the past? It’s just that people feel obliged to go to museums because they learned as children that travelling was about seeking out that kind of culture. Obviously museums are important, but they require time and objectivity – you need to know what you want to see there, otherwise you will leave with a sense of having seen a few really fundamental things, except that you can’t remember what they were.
2. Hang out in bars. Bars are the places where life in the city reveals itself, not in museums. By bars I don’t mean nightclubs, but the places where ordinary people go, have a drink, ponder the weather, and are always ready for a chat. Buy a newspaper and enjoy the ebb and flow of people. If someone strikes up a conversation, however silly, join in: you cannot judge the beauty of a particular path just by looking at the gate.
3. Be open. The best tour guide is someone who lives in the place, knows everything about it, is proud of his or her city, but does not work for an agency. Go out into the street, choose the person you want to talk to, and ask them something (Where is the cathedral? Where is the post office?). If nothing comes of it, try someone else – I guarantee that at the end of the day you will have found yourself an excellent companion.
4. Try to travel alone or – if you are married – with your spouse. It will be harder work, no one will be there taking care of you, but only in this way can you truly leave your own country behind. Travelling with a group is a way of being in a foreign country while speaking your mother tongue, doing whatever the leader of the flock tells you to do, and taking more interest in group gossip than in the place you are visiting.
5. Don’t compare. Don’t compare anything – prices, standards of hygiene, quality of life, means of transport, nothing! You are not travelling in order to prove that you have a better life than other people – your aim is to find out how other people live, what they can teach you, how they deal with reality and with the extraordinary.
6. Understand that everyone understands you. Even if you don’t speak the language, don’t be afraid: I’ve been in lots of places where I could not communicate with words at all, and I always found support, guidance, useful advice, and even girlfriends. Some people think that if they travel alone, they will set off down the street and be lost forever. Just make sure you have the hotel card in your pocket and – if the worst comes to the worst – flag down a taxi and show the card to the driver.
7. Don’t buy too much. Spend your money on things you won’t need to carry: tickets to a good play, restaurants, trips. Nowadays, with the global economy and the Internet, you can buy anything you want without having to pay excess baggage.
8. Don’t try to see the world in a month. It is far better to stay in a city for four or five days than to visit five cities in a week. A city is like a capricious woman: she takes time to be seduced and to reveal herself completely.
9. A journey is an adventure. Henry Miller used to say that it is far more important to discover a church that no one else has ever heard of than to go to Rome and feel obliged to visit the Sistine Chapel with two hundred thousand other tourists bellowing in your ear. By all means go to the Sistine Chapel, but wander the streets too, explore alleyways, experience the freedom of looking for something – quite what you don’t know – but which, if you find it, will – you can be sure – change your life.
© Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
The next text will be posted on the 12th of May.
P.S: Dear reader,
During this journey, that is filling my soul with very interesting experiences, one of the most magical moments comes every night when I read the comments posted on this blog. Even though I can’t answer all of you, I want you to know that it’s very important to me to know that I’m not alone on this path. Thank you so much for your support and for the words and ideas that are now engraved on my heart.
Paulo Coelho
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Dear Paolo,
Thank you for being such an inspirational writer. Your books are like shining gems to be picked up. I really understand how travelling can really open your mind and your eyes. It fascinates me how a culture and a peoples can so develope and progress in such unique ways from other cultures, it makes for a fascinating world.
Right now I am in the middle of your book The Fifth Mountain, I just love it, it is so inspirational, I love how you inject wisdom into your stories and there are sentences in there that I want to write in my journal and reflect upon, I feel like writing an essay on what I have learned from this book so far, that is how inspiring you are!
Thanks for all your insights!
Grace
Thanks again for this superb piece of advice on travelling.
It’s always a pleasure to read and re-read your blog.
I question your point about travelling alone though, because it’s ok if you’re a man, because it’s less risky than if you’re a woman. It would make me feel extremely vulnerable and unsafe.
As an expatriate, I noticed that if I spend a long time without going back to my country, I tend to feel like a stranger when I return there! Things change so much so quickly, even the language!
From rainy ole London, I think about you on the road. May you keep safe and well on the road, picking up more fascinating stories on the way.
It sure must be as enjoyable to write them as it is for me to read them…
Take care Paolo :)
Hi Paulo,
I am a great fan of you.
I have started to think that one of the best ways of cleaning up emotions in your heart is to write. I guage myself as a good writer, but as mentioned by you in one of your books, we tend write about ourselves only. This makes me think of the past which I hate. Please let me know what should be my strategy.
Thanks
Charan
Dear Mr Paulo Coelho,
So much two people can think alike….? I am amazed, you speak the language my heart wants to speak.
regards
Dear Sir,
I wanna ask you: What is it that you feel when u first enter a land that is foreign to you?
I have always been fascinateed by the unknown, a large chunk of which encompasses travelling to lands far and away……I wish with all my heart, to have someday the oppertunity, to a traveller drawing from your suggestions in a far away place………
Its a wonderful, beautiful, exotic world……..i so cannot wait to go knocking on each one of its doors.
Write yourself to Success
Write yourself to Success,
To succeed to reach a paper,
With an entire history to discover,
Of the life of a man well spoken,
To capture the moments in a wave,
Of shallows and heights forgottenn.
It is one man confided by a pen,
whose ink consumes to lead it to waste,
It is one pen discarded now,
And the life of one man that ends now.
AMBREEN DANISH
A tribute to Paulo Coelho…. a poem describing the simplistic revelations by him… my orignal work
Ah…My inner child is laughing. You list the same natural pace of her adventurous nature.
My body has been walking around for 58 years but I have never lost the excitement I felt as a child when I always wanted to know what was around the bend in the road, beyond the hills, or on the far side of the ocean.
My parents moved 7 times before I began school. I attended 4 schools before high school and by the time I graduated we had moved 4 more times. Though I missed long term childhood friendships this gypsy life was excellent training in surviving, exploring and discovering new dimensions in both my inner and outer world.
As yet, the door to walking the path of adventure as a roving traveller has not opened however I have lived and worked in New Zealand and Indonesia and this is where the lessons you quote came forward and I spent hours walking within the new places, allowing my senses and instincts to guide me and this lead to wonderous discovery and a deepening of my love of life, respect for the ways of others and a desire to create peace.
Oh, I am in great danger of writing all day. Memories pour through my mind and heart and I am feeling emotional as I revist many wonderful moments. Right now I see the face of a woman who sat beside me on a flight from Jakarta to Yogakarta. I was excited to be going to a Borobodour, in deep contrast she was in grief. Almost all the passengers were members of her family. Her father had died and they were taking his body home. Suddenly she asked, “I am afraid. Would you hold my hand?” For the entire flight we held hands and in the silence shared a deep communication.
Later that same day when I realised I was on the wrong bus the driver kindly stopped and told me, ‘Wait here, bus come later.” I stood on the side of a road in the middle of ‘somewhere’ but just where I did not know. The street through the village was deserted as it was close to sunset and prayer time. Without lighting I knew that once it was dark I could do little but wait until morning and the bus. Then I saw a hint of light from a kerosene lamp. A woman was closing a tiny stall. I ran toward her and within minutes I was sipping a coke and listening as she organised something with someone. After sunset prayer her son came in his car and suddenly I was driving through the night magic of Central Java. I remember the reflection of the moon shining off the water of the rice padis and wonder how the woman and her familly were. I felt my Heart reach to her.
Now my new travel companion was delighted as he could practise his ‘well English’ with his new Aussie friend, Miss Christine. The day ended when he delivered me to my lossman at Borobodour. The owners came and unloaded my case, chastising me as they’d been worried as to why I was not on the ‘right’ bus. I was made eat dinner as the cook was worried that I’d not eaten and the next morning they insisted I ride with their son on his motorbike to the temple as they were worried I’d get lost, again.
I remember this with deep affection and joy and realise how deeply my Soul yearns to travel.
One last memory….Museums! Yes, they make me tired however not in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand. When there and each time I step into the section on Maori culture I feel a cloak drop over me, time disolves, my senses open and I am with and in the culture of the Maori people…This comes beyond knowledge from books…the magic of travel has many dimensions.
The very last …I’ve always told my sons…We can never be lost as we are always somewhere! Explore where we are so we can learn how to return to where we thought we were!
walk gently Love Christine
“Quando si viaggia, si sperimenta in maniera molto più concreta l’atto della Rinascita”.
Non dimenticherò mai la lezione di Petrus, grazie per averla condivisa con noi.
I love You, dear Magician !
For every sparkle of Your passionate, wise and lightfull, generous heart!
For Your spirit and the feeling of flight You give… for everything that words may never express, and this is the most crazy and unconditional love that consumes the universe and unites me with each human being.
I believe that we are all here to live in such a love, to experience the soaring in divine light.
Thank You for the flame of Your heart that brings the world together and opens the eyes, lets one feel the personal path and inner voice.
The heartbeats of all unite in one while we are on this magical pilgrimage with You. You are the one who changes lifes with one single word!
You are a Magician.
Thank You !
All my love,
Dasha B.
Mr. Coelho,
I am seventeen years old and ready to start my life away from home. This August I start college and begin the path I have always dreamed of. I decided to major in chemical engineering, and hope that one day i can be a doctor. With your help I was able to believe in following my heart, even though the path seemed harder. You inspire me to enjoy every difficult situation I encounter. I love life, and all that it brings, through your writing i was able to learn lessons, and be more aware of an inner strength I had, but was not in touch with. Thank you Mr. Coelho for your stories, and ideas, you have contributed to my success.
P.S. Have you ever visited Lebanon?
name: Ruth Nohemy Tidwell
Muchas gracias por compartir con migo los secretos de el
sotano? asi se traduce verdad? bueno todos tenemos un baul lleno de ellos en el fondo mismo pero no muchos lo revisamos, aprendo dia con dia cosas nuevas pero lo errores del pasado me permiten seguir sin caer y me asen sntir que aberlos vivido despues de todo no tan mal aunque me ayan causado tanto dolor en su momento.
Sr Coelho no se si usted en realidad revisa este correo o su staff
(empleados) lo ace por usted y luego responde pero me gustaria decirle
que cada libro suyo que voy leyendo voy encontrando cosas nuevas y
aprendiendo de mi misma. eleven minutes no es el libro que usual mente hubiera yo leido pero me di la oportunidad de terminarlo de leer. y me gusto porque alguna ves estube en los zapatos de Maria al llegar a los estados unidos y encontrar que las cosas eran tan diferentes a como yo lo imaginava, pero gracias a Dios que aunque tenia 17 anos pude tomar las desiciones que en ese momento considere correctas y ahora se que no me equivoque gracias a que desde mi nines conosi de Dios y nunca decidi nada sin consultarle aunque a veces me pregunte, sera senor que estas alli? o acaso me as abandonado,. pero al final aceptaba que el siempre estubo ayi.
Thank you very much for replying to my previous message, it was such a pleasure to receive a note from you.
One day I will like to share experiences of my own life that seems that I have lived at a speed of 120 miles por hour.
June the first I will be traveling to Honduras and I am taking with me the books of : By the river Piedra I sat down and wept, and the pilgrimage that is besida my bible those are the books that I will be reading during my trip.
Dios le guarde y le guie.
Sinceramente
Nohemy (Ruth N. Tidwell)
4510 Tonawanda Dr
Houston Texas
USA 77035
Hi Paulo Coelho.
Iam your reader from Caucausu Region the one you visted during the pilgrimage. But I am from Azerbaijan, not Kazakhstan. I follow your writtings about your traveling and I am very pleased that you share your knowledge with us.
I have a question for you. i read your book about the pilgrimage in Spain and got very interested in that. In religion I am muslim, but in my thinking I am not religious. I believe in exidtence of God but I don’t think that he is perfect. Being like that can I travel that road of pilgrimage?
If next time you visit Caucasus please visit Country of Fires ( the meaning of Azerbaijan) too. I think you will like it. It was the main country of fire worshiping. I can be your guide if you want.
I wish you good luck in your travelling.
With kind regards
Aydan
Dear Mr. Coelho,
my life has changed forever after i read The Alchemist. And my girl left me because of my deep thought, she just not that strong to be with me. And i don’t know where this path will lead me. And after i read Zahir, my eyes are wide open. When will you come to Indonesia? You know i really want to be a writer someday, since the day i read The Alchemist i know i can write too, like the way you write, sir.
You are my inspiration. I’ll hug you if you want to come to Indonesia. And please visit my blog, hope you have a translator, i write in Bahasa Indonesia.
Please, come to Indonesia…
Hi Paulo
Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey with us. I particularly loved this weeks one as im about to embark on a trip and was contemplating travelling on my own but have been fearful about doing this trip on my own for tons of reasons but im certain now that i want to see this place on my own. You remain an inspiration.
Lots of love from South Africa
travelling is a must, we want it or not. If I am not travelling physically, my mind is wandering, always. As For the tips, your excellent tips remind me of the tips given by nataraja, lord shiva in dance form. Carrying the drum of creation in the right hand and the fire of destruction in the left hand, he is dancing with gay abandon, hair flying away from his head in all directions. A quaint smile on his lips despite the difficult balance that he has to mantain. The right lower hand ( he has four hands) shows the abhay mudra, meaning there is nothing to be afraid. The left lower hand is gesturing towards his left leg which is in a beatufiful dance position, signifying grace, thus pointing to grace and balance as the perfect option for our travel on this planet. The right leg is crushing the demon of ignorance. All this is in perfect symmetry, signifying the perfection of the cosmos we inhabit.
Paulo, your grace helps you and millions of others like me, and your books tell us to find the right balance between matter and spirit. Thanks
Dear Paulo
I went on a trip of my life with my husband to Madikwe Safari Lodge in the Madikwe Park in South Africa, bordering Bodswana. I left the Park feeling that I have left a part of my soul there. I feel peaceful and rested but lost – although I felt I was ‘found’ there. I told my husband that I thought of you with every animal I saw, with every movement of the trees and with every daily changing of the weather. All your books, in my interpretation was an opportunity to go back to the stillness and truth in the quiet of one’s life – and being in the Madikwe Park was a physical interpretation of being pulled back into the stilllness and truth in the quiet of one’s body. I learnt that it was a humbling experience to be amongst the beautiful animals and how much of what we do here in the city is so unnecessary and painful. And I learnt that nature is so very beautiful yet, at times, so very cruel. I think everyone is a nomad inside themselves and if they don’t physically travel, they do so imaginatively. Thank you so much for being an honest and brave person, allowing people who read your books to grow within themselves by being honest and brave themselves. That is what you have done for me.
Hi Paulo,
I just want to say thankyou for sharing your thoughts, journeys and wisdom in a way that is always close to the hearts of people. You never fail to get straight to the parts in life that matter, telling the story always in such an easy way and yet with such intrigue.
Reading your books and journeys have made me see things in myself that I wouldnt have realised before and that makes me see others differently too. You’re a gem mined straight from the soul. :-)
May you always shine your light
dear paulo coelho,
i’m impressed by all these people from all over the world that you touched, but even more i am impressed of how you touched me.
you see, since i remember the very first thing i wanted to be was a magician, but then i found out that the rabbit was already in the hat and it was impossible for me to learn how to levitate.
many years later i realized that i was wrong. there are magicians, but their magic has a humbler disguise.
I want to say thank you.
Peace from Hamburg, Germany,
David
Dear Paulo,
Thank you for lightening my path. I was a lost soul till I read your book “the pilgrimage”. It was a great therapy, which freed my soul. It taught me how to heal myself.. and how to remove all obstacles accumulated inside me ..the cause of my suffering and sorrows.. It opened for me the heaven’s gate…which is here ..so near..It is not that far as I thought before..It is in every being..It is in everyone’s heart..
This book and your other books which I had read all taught me to think positive is the only way to reach the glory of the path of light.
I remember when I met you at the book signing in Dubai, you were shining with univesral love..you were pouring your love and light over all your fans for long hours with a big smile.. I appreciate your pilgrim to every destination you travel for book signing, that you turn the world into a small town, you are not only in your fans’ hearts, but you are there for them pouring over your love energy..
After you freed my soul..I draw it, with other two painting, and dedicated to you at the book signing.. I wish that you kept it as I have the fears that you always like to travel light.. with no place in your suitcase even for a small book given to you by a priest ( Confessions of pilgrim).
My soul cherish you .. keep on going ..and I will follow your steps on the path of light.
Maha
Hello Sir
I believe I am a traveller on this path of Love and Light. But sometimes one feels the depths of peace and Oneness and at others one is lost in the depths of chaos and confusion and pain , caused by a attached reaction to this world and to expectation. This article of yours talks of the theories of the mystery of life and of just following the miracle , of becoming the miracle and seeing its glory on life. Indeed, this happens, but ever so often one doubts and even when one knows and has felt peace, at other times everything seems lost and no reason prevails . How can one loose hope after having felt Oneness..What contradiction of the human mind and spirit is this?..How can one know the theory and feel the miracle and then loose that ? Has the miracle given up on us, or are we just lost ..
Hei Paulo,
I’ve just read your entry and I felt as if you are telling this to me face to face. Thank you for doing this and for making me follow the signs and for bringing a beautiful person into my life.
Enjoy your journey.
Best wishes from Vienna.
My dear virtual friend ,
well you have been like that since 7 years ( i was 18 back then) and as usuall your books or letters came at the right time to answer the questions that are haunting my soul….so i wasn’t alone in my spiriual quest or journey , you were beside me all the time….it will be a VERY LONG REPLY if i will tell you what i have learned from you anyway you can find your impact on me in all your fan’s replies……
i want to thank you for your advice about traveling , you encouraged me to travel alone i thought it will be very hard ….
I thank you for crossing my road at the time when i felt that i was so alone and scared from life or future and i thought that i don’t have a good sword to defeat and face my fears …. (Alchimist was my wake up call)
I thank for the note at the end of the Fifth mountain about what Christ had said when he had been asked about Elijah and John ….i was surching in the Bible for that foundemental truth to make me believe in the true Christianity…(in my opinion)
I thank you for “the pilgrimmage and the Valckeries” my favorite books because you exposed yourself in a humble way…..and you gave me the opportunity to live those journeys that they are the Zahir of my soul…
I thank you for your capacity to talk to all the people no matter what are their beliefs … and you know here in the middle east there is a conflit between religions and i believe that your books will be like that little butterfly in the movie “lord of ring”….
I thank you for the book “warrior of the light ” my second bible…
I thank for million of things but mostly for believing in yourself …..
I am at a crossroad …left or right…..the road of security and a normal life (marriage ..children ) or the road of adventure and light seeking??
I have a question for you … do you feel the LOVE that all your readers feel for you , do you feel that chain that you have created between us ??
P.S: i love the picture you had chosen for this blog specially the Symbol
i love to share with you this song ” SEND ME AN ANGEL by The Scorpions”
and finally GO BREZIL for the world cup!!!!
Your friend in Light
from the land of Gibran Khalil Gibran
Nicole
Do you have any plan to visit India ?
Dear Paulo,
Thank you very much for this new entry, once again your words are full of good advice and wisdom.
Regards from Barcelona, Spain.
Travelling is my only way of renewing my skin. I am glad to know that someone else believes that travelling isn’t about museums, esp. when it’s you, Paulo.
I am set to travel this summer and i am anticipating it so bad because it will be the only way to cheer my mood up again.
If there were more Paulo’s, the world would be a much better place-thank you for all your words and all the inspiration you are giving out to everyone!
Hi Paulo,
i totally agree with You.
i ve` benn recently in the Holy land, in Izrael, also for the same reason: pilgrimage.
When i had free time, instead of staying in my hotel(even sleeping!) i`d rather prefered to go out and walk trough the city, and see, feel how the people live there.
I met many peolpe, wich wanted to talk with me. Specialy the shop owners ;)
They have a great approach: they want only to talk.
In my country( Poland) the poeple who works in the shops, dont talk to much ( almost nothing)….
I also agree with You in another thing: travel/pilgrimage is an adventure that shape your heart. forever. is a tool in the hands of the Almighty to rembere us what matters.
I thank God for the gift of pilgrimage. And for every pilgrim.
But being a pilgrim is also a matter of resposability. You cannot be the same after such a trip :)
I hope You`ll enjoy your pilrimage as much a i have with mine!
Piotrek
pS sorry for my english – it is not perfect :) but who cares! ;)
Dear Paulo
I have so much to say, but I keep it short as I know you have letters and comments flooding in each day, and rightly so because you leave your mark on people. Your amazing way that you relate your expereinces to us is nothing short of a mirace. I can only say thank you.
I know you are a busy man, but if you have the time some day, I would really like to ask you to kindly answer one question for me if possible – I am reading the pilgrimage for the third time now, more intensely and with much more understanding. My question is where does one find such a master to accompany and to teach the valuable lessons of a tradition?
I thank you kindly in advance and hope that I will have the pleasure of a response from you some day.
Stay well and may God’s light be with you always,
Michelle
Thanks for the work you do and the differences in everyones life.
What a delight it was to discover this place, and to be able to visit it often. Tashi, Cate
As Anthony Boudain puts it: “Be a traveller; not a tourist”
Amazing works, sir.
opportunities come. opportunities go. and we forever remain in the middle. tonight i do the most frightening of all…. i choose. i hear the cry of the gladiators ‘nos morituri te salutamus’ and i wonder did their hearts beat this fast? all of life has led me to this moment and i stand poised on the edge. the only certainty, that no matter the outcome, i will be changed forever and for the better. all things working together for good. weeping or laughing i will continue along the path. grateful for every day i wake up breathing on my own. “i am an adventurer, looking for treasure.” and i thank you.
Dear, Paulo Coelho
Adabz :) (means Hello in Urdu language)
Traveling differently….. Just want to share that….. Traveling differently….. has another dimension to it ….. that in life’s journey….
Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional.
We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.
“You have to laugh and find humor every day.”
“You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it!”
“There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change.”
“Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.”
Just remember: Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional.
Paulo Coelho thank you for sharing your words, soul, mind & life with us and keep making the difference and always be on the never ending journey of self discovery.
Warmest Regards,
Fatima Saeed Khan
Lahore,Pakistan.
Thank you Paulo!
It took a female dancer from an adult club to start to understand. She gave me The Alchemist to read. This lead to more of your books and opened my eyes. I could start to understand the true spirit of this world. Your journeys and the characters in your books truly open the eyes of those who are ready to hear the world. At this time I may not be able to travel the world but I can still see the spark of the creator in all that is around me. As in your travels, what counts is the connection to this family we call earth. I wait to hear more of your new journey.
Richard
Dear Paulo,
I do not know where to begin, thank you is not enough to tell you the impact your books have on my life. I go through a new journey with every time I read each of your book.
Your words and the langauge you spoke through your books has opened a whole new world for me which I never knew about– or rather, a world which I know of, but was too fearful to access, the journey into my soul.
You have showed me what it means by true living and also, the magical and myseterious forces that govern the journey through life.
To me, not only does the powerful and geunine message behin each of your books resonate deep inide me, also its an omen that with every time a book of yours come into my life at the time when I most needed it on my life’s journey. It was when I started opening my soul about 15 months ago that I truly allow myself to truly ‘be’ in the beautiful moments whcih brush past my life like a wind too swift to be captured yet too swift to make sense of it all. In the past, I would have forbidden myself to open myself to the word of possibilities and the infinity and eternity that is hidden in moments of each day which are often disguised.
To me, Paulo Coelho is not just the name of an author, it i something powerful, it is a voice which many people yearn to seek.
Like skiing, one never ski down the same mountain twice, nor can one make the same journey twice for the snow changes as well a the skiier. PErhaps its this leap into the unknown where both fear and desire governs each moment of the day that I am often fearful of, yet the voice from your writing gave me some comfort as well as a trust in myself to believe in myself and to find my way through the maze intertwined with logic and emotions.
In the words of the ‘Alchemist’, I am at present fighting the test of the conquerer and each day I am travelling both on the spiritual plane as well as the academic plane. I cannot imagine how my life would have been if I have not come across your books- life would be about going round and round, in an every spinning carousal, and betraying my soul’s longing for a spiritual and emotional joruney, and follow the unspoken ‘code of behaviour’.
I will soon be bidding farewell to my ‘student’ dentity i have been carrying for so long, and exchange it for ‘the traveller’ . the world of academic books can teach me only so much- i have tasted life as a traveller and I can feel the world calling me and my birthplace calling me to embrace it. When I travel, my soul lits up- it is the time when I can discover my passions, as well as like you said, the world into oneself. both the darkness and the light.
when I look back, i feel that the universe often allow certain people to be in my life,witout whom each journey may have led to a totally different destination. sometimes its a matter of seconds that makes the difference between the destiny to heaven, or to hell.
May you continue with your road and journey with the traveller spirit that has touched the life as well as the souls of many.
Thanks Paulo for everything.
Infinity
P.S. sorry for the scattering of thoughts. I am simply allowing my fingers to dictate what they want to do
1. Paris: Everyone went to Louvren because it was a “must”. I wanted to see the paintings of Monet so I went to Musee D’Orsay. I was alone and enjoyed my choice fully.
2.Creete: We asked at the hostel where the Greek youth went and then we went there too. We didn’t want to mingle with other tourists, we wanted to meet the people who lived there.
3.Ask, becasue if you never ask you will never know…
4.I want to stop and look and climb and investigate so many streets and houses which the group don’t want to. Better go alone or with only one companion.
5.Sorry, can’t help it. People come up and compare behind my back all the time… *grin*
6.With a good map I never get lost. The map may not always be of paper.
7.or use the postoffice to post more heavy things. (collector…)
8. that advice must be for Americans, I’ve never understood how they can manage on only two weeks vacation per year? (Sweden have five)
9.-meetings- a painting? a person? – a connection, a recognition- flashing moments that never disappear, riddles from the unconscious to the conscious mind.
Dearest Pilgrim, and Blog-Mates,
As I probably mentioned before -in one of my previous entries on the blog- my experience with travelling reveals that most paths are treacherous but usually rewarding ,in the end. It all depends on how you deal with the difficulties that lie ahead. It is not my intention to sound pessimistic, on the contrary, I dare anyone out there to get out of the cocoon and try something different, something less conventional, and which is not planned in its every fine detail. But it would be fair of me to say that when one is young and “green”, an adventure of the kind may be one of the things that will impress upon the individual memories that are not likely to go away, ever. I am obviously not talking about a trip to London, or Rome, or any of the places where you sit down and read the paper in the morning (while waiting for your creamy cappucino), or wave down a taxi to get to the next museum. I am talking about Africa, or say ,Vietnam, to give you an example. A friend of mine said that his trip to Vietnam was a life-changing experience, his vivid description of the place and its people -pure imagery- just wet my appetite for packing my bags again…He said he felt like Indiana Jones in “The Temple of the Doom”…now, that’s some travelling for me…My humble advice to anyone would be : get out and do it while you can, because life is passing you by, and you’re missing out on seeing all the people and all the places that you’ll only get to “visit” while dozing on your living room’s couch later on!
Dearest Pilgrim, it is so good of you to keep your feet firmly on earth. You have not lost touch with people, even as your fame probably became quite difficult to bear. You give something to each and one of us who learnt the language of your heart and mind. You never dissappoint. You are always visible to us all, sending signs, or a message of courage and strength, pointing out to us all that we are not alone. I am telling you all this so that you won’t give up on us…there may be a time when you will feel tired of all the attention. But please remember that you are one of the very few invested with the power of changing lives.
And I hope you will find that white feather again, somewhere along the way…it is not easy to live up to people’s expectations all the time, but it’s worth trying.
Eternally grateful, your African Warrior of the Light
Hi from a piligrim at crossroads,
The Path does not lead from town to town, because this kills the travel. Travel itself is a state of spirit and a possibility to discover mysteries. As the one that the heart of Sofia (means actually Wisdom, isn’it) is somewhere else within the thousand roads that cross it. And one of these tiny little roads goes to an old inscription on a fountain (I’m helping you not to miss it :) : “Wind sweeps up our steps, first our passions, then time absorbs us. I built this fountain because the stone is more durable than us, and the water is eternal”.
Carry on !
best,
Sophia
Dear Paulo,
I visited your website and there I saw this blog. Great you are sharing your experiences with us.
I re-read your books over and over. In every part of my life they give me ideas and advice! I just re-read The Zahir. Due to the book I got two questions in mind which I wanted to ask my friends and family. What would they do on their last day on earth and what would be their job/activity when they don’t have to think in restrictions. It was so nice to read the answers! I really got to know them all better. Some found it very easy to answer. Others had to think for a few days and one had problems with it. Scared to find answers which make her dislike her life.
Isn’t it a nice feeling for you to know you let so many people think about things and inspire them! That is my wish also. To mean something for people and make them feel good about themselves. I have the feeling I am close to something how to accomplish that but I have to be patient. When you are in peace you get the answers!
I wish you a great journey with your wife Christina. I admire her as well! She has to be a strong person to stand besides you (I mean this in a friendly way).
Greetings from The Netherlands! Big hug, Ellen
Dear Paulo Coelho
Its wonderful feeling that I am directly writing to you….to a person who has consolidated my belief in believing in dreams. I am writing to you from a dusty city of Hyderabad on the banks of mighty Indus river in Pakistan. Living an extra ordinary life in an ordinary city. For the eyes of others it might be an ordinary life but through you writing I am convinced that no life is ordinary. I wish someday you will come to my city and touch the heart of the people and the soil of this ancient land.
Dear Paulo,
I am George Mikhael from the land of the cedars Lebanon. I have always loved that you have quoted small stories from all around the world, including Lebanon.
I am not the only person that has been touched by your words and books. I would wish that you visit Lebanon in your 90 day tour of the world so that your readers here can meet you.
Take care and see you
Once a pilgrim, always a pilgrim: isn’t the way of the pilgrim or “being on the path” simply the search for meaning and the desire for God?
This search contains, what Paulo just wrote: focus on the present, go with the flow (and don’t stop because of outer appearance), be open and ready to receive, minimize distractions, explore the new, don’t be afraid, don’t carry unnecessary baggage, be patient…
But what do you in practical life – and how do you do it? – , when you want to walk the path or follow your dream while fulfilling a number of duties?
One can walk the path and follow his dream even when sitting at his desk in one’s day-to-day job: the path is one of simplicity and silence and is created inside. You don’t necessarily have to go into the desert like the early “hermits” or desert monastics of the fourth and fifth centuries – the early pilgrims.
You may simply pray.
With the same sincerity like the walking pilgrim would, do it from now on and do it “without ceasing.”
I have found it very useful to combine praying with studying and finally we arrive at my point of this comment: add constant “spiritual practice” to all the above mentioned (Paulo’s text) and travel your path, follow your dream – and be the warrior of the light!
Dear Paulo,
Every times I read some of yours books and texts, I have feeling, that you are (as we sais by us) speaking from my soul. Thanks to you I know that my soul is only a part of the soul of world and that nobody is alone.
As you said, it’s mutch better go to the pub and speak with peoples then go to museum. Because when you came back home and somobody ask you:,, Have you visited ……?”
If you visited the town (not only sights) and you have speak with the peoples you can say:,,Yes, it is great place!”
Visiting of local museum is the same as read some details about some person. Nobody can say, I know you because I know your birthdate etc.
By my meaning, the best way to visit and find something or somebody is live there/ with him
comunicate with it/him not only by words
hear to it/him not only by ears
watch it/him not only by eyes
Thanks Paulo
See you on some crossroads….
P.S.: Apologize for my poor english
And yes, each meeting is a journey itself, isn’t it ???
Each person we meet on our way may all of a sudden change our life and world-out-look.
To discover and be in touch with the heart beat, energy, passion and inner flight of the human soul is a journey itself, and thereby we are all adventures by ourselves. We never know anything beforehand…
We may never step into the same river twice, and everybody changes, but here lies the magic of discovering the unpredictable too. We may never own anybody, and there is no need to be steady as every relationship is a free and true journey. Often without any rules, but just following the heart and instincts to trust, enjoy and live it.
And what is waiting for us is to EXPERIENCE THE JOURNEY of always unpredictable and magical communication, of every meeting in our lifepath, that is probably never accidental.
Blessed are the meetings as each one is a journey too :)
Love,
Dasha B.
Ciao Paulo,
I’m Lucio from Italy. I’m in Sofia for spending some time with my bulgarian girlfriend, Stefania.
I was yesterday afternoon in downtown Sofia and I’ve seen you entering in the Grand Hotel Sofia. I was driving my car and I couldn’t reach You to greet You. I wish You a lovely stay in Bulgaria and I hope to meet You somehow in the autograph session or somewhere around Sofia…
Good Path to the light
Ciao,
Lucio
Dear Magician,
It is a magical thrill to contuine this fantastical journey with You and each soul of light that follows the sensations of Your heart and vision! I feel that we are all united in a common gust of love and discovering.
What can be more thrilling than this flight into unknown, when we are all in a constant movement with You, even if not physical but always spiritual :)
For me, those emotions are unexpressable and i read each of Your text with the sense of sudden wonder. It is a gift to be in touch with Your wisdom and experience, Paulo !
Magicly, my own little experience let me feel most of Your very true advices personally, and those journeys changed my life forever… Leaving the country alone, i was never alone at the destination, and i also wasn’t me in the way i was before, as journey is always a process of inner development.
What is most important about all of journeys is the spirit of discovering UNKNOWN, which is the most magical… Of finding new verges of your own soul through facing the new. And journey is always unpredictable; sometimes it may not be about seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
The chance is mostly powerfull only at journeys, when one leaves everything behind and sees the world with eyes of the children.
And perhaps only in unordinary situations your may reveal the deepst treasures lying within you, to find the sword.
Every single moment magic happens when we are free from any conventions and we never know indeed what treasures may keep the silent narrow streets… What is waiting for you behind the next turn and what coincidences or signs happen to be events that influence your whole life and world-out-look.
A journey is the readiness to be totally free from anything and accept the wonders of reality as they are, and afterall each journey is very personal as only at those moments we genuinely change, grow and learn. It is so, as You have said.
I also think that probably each day, no matter if we are staying in the native land, or exploring the new lands, it is great to feel yourself being a pilgrim in the state of transition, as each moment may hold a secret challenge, a door opening. Afterall, we are all pilgrims in our lifes…
I may not only agree with one thing – regarding museums :) Because when an artist sees the painting that touches his heart, this exact moment also turns all his life and previous experience upside down. It may be the same unexpected treasure and revelation as any other new person met or moment experienced in a journey. Afterall, after i visited the Van Gogh museum, it expanded my own horizons and i have discovered the part of me that was sleeping before, but now develops itself through the brush. I started to SEE things differently, and in this sense, that museum srtiked my world and brought it to the next stage of life. So, probably when visiting museums not just because we are obliged too, but because we intuitionally feel thrill of seeing something( and there you also never know what it will be) it may be not so useless. At least, for artists :)
For the rest, Paulo, it is great to have those advices of Yours, because exactly they make a trip a true journey. But each journey is always unpredictable and open. We may never really plan anything before, but to follow our intuition; A journey is like a life by itself… and that’s why it’s so amazing.
No need to look back, probably, as each day is a journey in itself!
And i thank the whole universe for setting off for a journey each day. It is a wonder to discover the magical threads of ways and signs that form our whole life, how incredibly is that in each part of the world one may find a piece of his soul and see afterwards, that we are everywhere in this universe, everywhere and always in constant movement. The universe also travels and reveals itself only when we are brave to set off for the journey and since that moment on be totally open and spontaneous to the new life.
It is magic, and it is our life that is so full of miracles ! :) :):)
I send You my love, magical Pilgrim, letting so many hearts follow You and to be in this spiritual journey of self- discovering all together ! I think it is a totally unique wonder.
We all walk in love and thrill, and with a smile of gratitude to YOU :)
Each next step is a step within our own heart.
May Your ways be lightfull and full of unpredictable miracles!
Love,
Dasha B.
Dear Paulo,
Iàm so sorry, but my english is so bad. There is so many i would like to say.
But ist enough to say thank you. You gives many people inspiration and hope, because you devide your expierience with us. It´s not only natural.
The best wishes
dear nicole
Again life amazes me. As I was having breakfast with my husband this morning I was thinking about different ways of travelling. While I was sitting there, getting lost in my own thoughts, my husband suddenly said – out of the blue: “Honey, don’t you think it would be great to travel somewhere together? Without a set plan, without booking a hotel for the whole trip, just leaving and trying to see where life will take us?”. I smiled and told him that it was as if he was reading my mind, and then I came here to read your blog…and there it is. Again. I believe life is trying to tell me something. Thank you Paulo.
Dear Paulo Coelho,
The main character of one of my favorite book, Holden Coldfield says : “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it” That’s the way I feel whenever I read your books. Thank you so much! You’ve changed my life. You work miracles!
I’m so glad that you’re coming to Russia, Moscow! I can’t wait to see you !
Hi Paulo,
One more thing that I would add to the above: follow your heart, and follow the signs, during your exploration. Remaining open, the most interesting path of travel, unique for you, will reveal itself.
I have learned to pay attention to the small signs around me, and try to do so as often as possible. Your books, as many before me have said, truly inspire and provide insights.
——————
Two stories of signs and insights:
—
Autumn, 2004, Bremen Germany. On my way to class across a small football field a wind blows across the path in front of me, lifting up scattered orange leaves that had recently fallen. Somehow this strikes me immediately and the leaves become people, the tree – their life’s context. Those constantly yearning to be nonconformists, to break away from their roots, to be independent, simply become small leaves in the wind. They get swept up by the flow of life, and can no longer act freely. They can no longer set their own direction. Small leaves in the wind.
—
Spring, 2006, Bremen, Germany. In my college room, I look through the window and see a green balloon on the grass outside, full of air. A sure sign, I tell myself. In trying to find out the meaning, I go through many possibilities, but all seem probably, and none becomes definite in my mind. I leave it for a while. For the next few days I keep seeing the balloon there. Sometimes it moves a little, but isn’t blown away. It’s presence keeps interesting me. Why is it there? What is the universe telling me? Eventually, I calm down over the issue, and soon the balloon leaves with the wind without me noticing. Not all signs are clear. Some are just there to keep you aware, to spur your interest in the universe’s magical language.
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