Inspiration for travel can come from a variety of sources – magazines, books, movies, the internet, or simply hearing about somebody else's trip - each with equal ability to get the travel juices flowing. They can spark everything from a quick weekend getaway to a lifetime of globe-hopping. I know my motivation came from all those sources over the years and probably many more. But, sometimes inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources. Like a guy who dances badly.
Five years ago, a guy named Matt Harding (who I don't know personally) quit his job as a video game designer and decided to take a trip around the globe. Spurred by a friend's suggestion, he took short video clips of himself in each place doing a quirky, jerky dance that he used to do just for laughs. Upon his return, he cut the clips together into a short video, complete with backing music, that he sent to friends and family wanting to see highlights from his trip. Somewhere along the way, it went up on the internet and became a web sensation.
Shortly thereafter, he was approached by a new chewing gum company (Stride) who liked what they saw and wanted to pay for him to do it again, producing a second video along the way. It is this second video that I first saw about two years ago as I was in the midst of coordinating my own departure after a friend sent me the link. If a four minute video could ever sum up the joy of traveling, it has to be this one. Matt's new video became an instant hit and he was soon traveling the interview circuit talking about it. Both Matt and, luckily, Stride decided it would be a great idea to do it again.
Matt has just completed his third trip around the world and the subsequent video to accompany it. The difference this time around is that Matt invited anyone willing to come out and dance with him wherever he was visiting, including here in Chicago. It looks like he wasn't short on takers. While the second video ('06) in Matt's trilogy continues to be my favorite by the slimmest of margins, the latest entry remains downright inspirational for anyone who's ever dreamed about taking a trip somewhere whether for a day, a year, or a lifetime. If you aren't inspired to travel after watching any of Matt's videos than you might as well just restrict your excursions to your local mall.
Perhaps the best compliment I can give Matt's videos is to say: Why the hell didn't I think of that?
Check out Matt's videos below (have your volume on/up), but don't be surprised if you hit the web looking for a great deal to anywhere shortly thereafter.
Dancing 2008
Dancing 2006
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