The Metamorphosis Map Origin Story
How I developed a love of travel, culture and lifelong learning
My first memory of traveling
Doing a headstand in the middle of the back seat of a Saab, circa 1975.
My mum was driving us to Switzerland from Northern England, pulling a caravan. I was about 5 or 6 years old. Squashed between my brother and sister.
I didn’t see much on the journey, except the upholstery. My parents only saw my legs and a flash of underwear through the mirror.
But when I did right myself for a quick break and to balance my circulation, I took a look at the view.
New perspectives
The countryside can look different in so many subtle ways. Especially between the UK and mainland Europe. No hedgerows, I noted. Beautiful meadows. Different flowers and trees, or a different blend of them.
“Look at the mountains, Lisa!” exclaimed my mum.
“I can’t see them — where?”
“There - in front.”
“Those aren’t mountains, they’re clouds!”
But wait, no — they WERE snow-topped mountains. They were too massive for me to register at first. I grew up in the rolling hills of Northumberland. These mountains made me feel small. And thrilled.
I do not remember a lot more detail about that holiday. I was pretty young. But I do remember sunny days, staying in a caravan, playing outside every day in the warm sunshine.
Exciting differences
And that the bread, milk and chocolate tasted different. I also remember hearing different accents and languages. French and German, others as well. It was all so interesting and different.
Language & culture
I also heard my mum and dad speak French for extended periods for the first time. They had studied at the Sorbonne in Paris in the 1960s. I loved looking at their black-and-white photos of the monuments and street cafes. And students with beehives, dark sunglasses and sharp suits. Glamorous and romantic.
I decided that I wanted to communicate with locals, too. Being able to speak another language felt like unlocking another dimension.
Variety is one of my key values. One of the things I love - and need, to thrive in my life.
And travel is one of the best ways to meet this need and celebrate this love. Because there is always more to see and learn. Whether it is the language, food, music, customs or anything else. You get to experience something new and different.
The learning never stops
And you can use that new experience to learn something. About the world, other people and yourself. To change what you do or how you think. Or, to confirm your choices and increase your gratitude for the familiar.
One of the best things about travel can also be coming home. I should know, I hugged the fridge when I returned from our summer adventure.
Little did I know that trip would be the start of something big for me.
I was embarking on my life-long path of learning through travel, culture and language.
This was the first point on my Metamorphosis Map.
Do you remember yours?
Life is a journey full of changes and everyone’s map looks different.
Lovely article.
It's interesting how you mentioned diversity as one of your values. I realized reading this that it's also one of mine but I never thought about phrasing it that way.
It's beautiful you had these opportunities as a child and now you are passing them on to your children ❤️
I was captivated by your early car journey and the resonant description of experiencing those differences, Lisa. Thank you for all of it.
I can recall my metamorphosis moment of origin very clearly although it was some time before I came to understand that it was such.
Living somewhere in the north of Scotland, the sort of place where people go who don't wish to be found (yes, me included) and I was sat in a darkened hallway taking a phone call from my GP following a very routine blood test.
"Are you sitting down?" he asked.
I was.
"I don't want you to worry too much about what I am about to tell you."
I started to worry.
"You have a form of leukaemia."
At 45, this was a bit of a surprise.
But if I reflect now, that was the single pivotal moment.