Noturno e Celeste

‘Volando Voy’/'Should I Stay or Should I Go?’

// October 1st, 2009 // 1970s, Iberian Peninsula, Spain

Volando Voy, Volando Vengo.
Flying I go, flying I come.

A few years ago I had a realisation that my lifestyle is kind of different to that of most. I’m a sort of modern-day, educated nomad. I work as an English teacher, making a living from the citizens of the world with the words that my mind somehow absorbed during my infant years. Luckily for us English, our native tongue has been delegated ‘Lingua Franca’ of the world. I could stay and do this in my own country, but why would I want to do that when I have a whole planet to explore?

Staying put in one place is normal for the vast majority of people, but my life is a little different. I’ve just moved to my fourth country in six years. Most people may move forward in their lives, of course, but tend to stay within the borders and boundaries of their own country, culture and language. I seem to have been moving forward not only physically, but towards a some kind of ‘perfect’ place that would seemingly satisfy my every possible need. This search for perfection, is of course, a futile one – like searching for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But just as a gold miner may strike oil, it has led to the discovery of something more important.

Por el camino, yo me entretengo
On the way, I entertain myself

Imagine if you had the choice to live anywhere in the world. How would you decide?

Why stay at all? Why not carry on indefinitely? Why not enjoy a slow migration around the globe until the day you expire? A life on the road is fun, interesting and adventurous, but after a while upping root every year or two can get tiring. Staying has the benefits of friendship and familiarity. Even once you have met new people it can take quite some time to get familiar with them until you feel you have some level of intimacy. A place to stay, settle, accumulate junk – nuture friendships. Moving your entire life to a new country, mastering a new language (should you choose to do so), making a whole new set of friends – is tiring work indeed.

One of the questions that was prompted in my recent move, asked whether any place can be suitable for any person, or does a specific ‘perfect’ – or at least optimum place exist for you, somewhere in this world? These are two extremes of the same argument, and as with most things, I believe that the answer lies inconveniently somewhere in the grey middle area in betweem the two.

To address the latter first, I believe that there are certain absolutes criteria that apply to individuals. The key is knowing what exactly you want, which is easier said than done. Let’s give a few examples, assuming you’re someone that knows thyself. Lets say you’re someone that needs a lot of sunlight. Perhaps long Winters aren’t the thing for you. Not very good with languages? Already know one of the ‘easier’ Latin ones? Well then, that makes things a little easier. Find ‘insert_nationality_here’ unbearable? Well perhaps take a wide berth. Or at least, invest a little research to see if you might be wrong. This has taken me a little trial and error, but after living in England, Poland and Spain, and now Portugal, I believe I’m a little closer to the truth that lurks inside.

Si tengo frio, busco candela
If I’m cold, I look for a candle

It may sound like a cliche, but once you’ve figured out the things you want, the most important place to feel at home is within yourself. Unfortunately for some people, myself included, that’s another one of those things that falls into the ‘easier said than done’ category. Sure, some places may have more opportunities, culture, better weather, nicer people, easier languages – and these are important things to take into consideration. More importantly to realise, is that the source and foundation of your happiness is something that lies inside. Love, happiness, respect and belief are things that start internally, and grow – exponentially – when they are firmly set in place. External change – be it a flat, a car or a country – may only have a fleeting ‘Honeymooon’ effect on your well-being.

That said, the Honeymoon period in Lisbon is boding well for the future. But things inside have changed too.

James Torr. September 2009.

Here’s the translation. You may also think of the ‘Volando Voy, Volando Vengo’ bit as something like ‘I fly here, I fly there’ but the translation below is literal and pretty much carries the same sense.

volando voy, volando vengo
Flying I go, flying I come

Por el camino yo me entretengo
Along the way I amuse myself

Enamorado de la vida que aveces duele
In love with life that sometimes hurts

Si tengo frio busco candela
If I’m cold I look for fire

Señoras y señores sepan ustedes
Ladies and gentlemen, know

Que la flor de la noche
That the flower of the night

Para quien la merece
(Is) For he who deserves it

Yo no soy quien soy ni los que me quieren
I’m not who I am nor those who love me

Y vola volando voy volando vengo vengo
And Flying I go, flying I come