Sometimes it’s the need to reignite your passion. Sometimes it’s the thirst for new knowledge. Sometimes it’s the craving for adventure but you’re dead broke (or in the process of saving up) to be outdoors. Or sometimes you just can’t drag your lazy arse out of the couch, and prefer to virtually travel while munching on butter popcorn.
We got various reasons for picking that travel-related/adventure-injected (at times mushy) film from the video rental store or uhm, pirated stuff stand. And though such film may impose a certain moral, us viewers pluck diverse bits of lessons from it. Tube Travel Tuesday features our fave travel bloggers’ fave travel flicks/documentaries which fueled their urge to cover as much of the world as they could. If spoilers don’t bother you, this should be an awesome read!
The Accidental Tourist
AJ of The Transcendental Tourist:
“Ironically, the movie that inspired me to put up a travel blog is not strictly a travel-related movie; it’s about a travel writer. The movie is The Accidental Tourist, adapted from Anne Tyler’s novel. As you can see, I took liberties with the title to come up with the name of my blog, The Transcendental Tourist.
Macon Leary, the main character, writes for reluctant travelers. He is a passive observer, much like his audience, who merely delivers information about places without any emotional involvement. He is just as detached in his personal life. While grieving for the senseless murder of his son, his wife divorces him. He then meets a kooky dog trainer who injects a feisty spontaneity into his rigidly OC life. As he falls for her, his wife decides to reconcile with him. Suddenly, he faces a fork in the road of his life (this happens in Paris, not a bad place to be in such a dilemma, haha!).
The movie is more about emotional landscapes than literal ones. But its metaphorical use of travel as a man’s internal journey on the road of life inspired me to become a travel writer who, ironically again, transcends Macon’s idiot’s guide to traveling. Life is not made more fulfilling by circumstances but by the individual; a trip not made more meaningful by the place but by the traveler. As I tread the literal and figurative road, I hope that’s the kind of traveler, and travel writer, that I have become – from accidental to transcendental.”
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Nina of Just Wandering:
“Priscilla, queen of the desert made me interested to travel to Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia’s Northern Territory. While this is not your typical travel movie, Priscilla, Mitzi, Berndette and Felicia takes you with them into an incredible journey into the Australian outback and gives you a glimpse of life on the road. It certainly made me want to learn how to drive and make the same journey when I go back to Australia.
The movie teaches us that you can climb a mountain (or huge rock) wearing a fancy frock, satin gloves and elaborate headdresses as long as you’re wearing the right shoes.”
Before Sunrise
Lois of We Are Sole Sisters:
“A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.
This movie opened my eyes to the possibility of Europe and the romantic notion of travel. Who wouldn’t want to get off a train randomly with a handsome stranger and get lost together? The plot embodies the true sense of travel: Getting lost in the moment, welcoming strangers with open arms and enjoying the feeling of not knowing what the next destination will bring…
Hopeless romantic much? Who knew?”
A Map for Saturday
Monette of Flip Travels:
“The setting is all over the world, duration of the travel was 341 days. From new york, the protagonist, brooke, went to Australia and then to Southeast Asia. From there, he went to India and then Europe. His final stop was in South America before going back home. It is a documentary of different discoveries. Of making new friends and losing them. Of combating loneliness amidst people. And of seeing how vast the big world is but somehow, it becomes less exotic every day…
The movie inspired me in such a way that I am vindicated of the decisions I made before traveling; and it further inspires me to lose the things that I think make me whole and just explore the world with an open hand.
The lesson in the documentary that made an impact to me is the possibility of long-time travel. I guess if one really wants to do it, he/she can. I am absolutely convinced that when i finally do it, it will be the best decision I’ll ever do in my life…”
Seven Years In Tibet
Christine of Adventures of a Jovial Wanderer:
“There’s no single movie that inspired me to travel but one of the noteable ones that made crave to get off my comfort zone and explore was Seven Years in Tibet. I seriously don’t even remember the story except that Brad Pitt made looking dirty sexy and that I wanted to live as adventurously as I can! The setting was so different from the tropical weather I was accustomed to because they had snow everywhere. I remember feeling so curious and telling myself that one day I’ll go places too. Several years after watching that movie, I was able to organize trips, climb more mountains and explore far-flung places I find in maps. There’s still more to see and though I know that I can never explore all the amazing destinations I get excited at the thought that the world is one huge wonderland and great views are within reach if only you take time to move a bit farther from home.
I Googled the gist in case you’re interested to watch it. Haha! It’s based from a true story of Austrian mountain climber, Heinrich Harrer, who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China’s takeover of Tibet. There’s a book that came earlier than the movie so you can get inspired in whatever method you fancy.”
Have you watched any of these flicks? How did it/they change your life or inspire you as a traveler?
Stay tuned for the next Tube Travel Tuesday, more films lined up!
Before Sunset and A Map for Saturdays (thanks to Monette) pa lng napapanuod ko sa list na to. I’ve to choose my own favorite travel movie for the next part haha/
As of this comment, Marky chose his na. Lol.
<3 this new feature kompanera!
monette shared the “plan for saturday” and im really considering RTW now! as in
Kompanyero, “Map for Saturday”, medyo nahihilo ka ata. Pleeasssee consider RTW! Then we can meet in another country. That would be one awesome trip. YEY!
Winner ang choice ni Nina! Pero di ko keri mag-travel with huge wigs, huge clothes, and huge mascara on. Excess baggage yan! Haha
Oh, and I also love Before Sunset and 7 Years in Tibet. Good films with even better locations! I’ve yet to see A Map for Saturday.
Thanks for including mine in this kick-ass list. Talagang you didn’t edit my ramblings. 🙂
Me too, AJ. But I do travel with a make up kit. Lol. Of course I won’t edit, it’ll suck the life out of your writing 🙂
Great list and thanks for including my rather cheesy selection. I also liked Before Sunset too by the way 😉 I have to ask Hutch to download Priscilla and Map for Saturday for me now…
Thanks Lois for sharing your fave flick. I’m loving this exchange of ideas 🙂
I actually have a draft on Blogger right now of movies that inspire me to travel 😀 Seven Years in Tibet is included in there too 🙂
Awesome Kat, can’t wait to see your list as well 🙂
wala pa ako napapanuod, sa nov pa dating yung dvd ko ng a map for saturday hehehe. nice set gay, try ko nga manuod nyan hahaha
I love Before Sunset (as well as the sequel 🙂 One of the top 5 movies on my list. I would have to download AJ’s movie yet 🙂
Jerome, you’ll definitely like A Map For Saturday. Seven Years in Tibet oks rin 🙂
Claire, I haven’t watched the sequel. Will look for a copy.
Hands down yung Seven Years In Tibet. 🙂
I read that Brad Pitt’s banned from entering China cause of this flick. Could that be true?
larve the post gay! tenchu! downloading priscilla, queen of the desert… makakarelate na din ako kay nina… haha!
Haha! Looks like Priscilla sparked the interest of many. I’d love to watch its musical 🙂
while reading this article:
monette: ano nga yung movie na sa grand canyon na naipit sya sa rock?
ron: 127 minutes
monette: gaga, 127 days!
(TOINK!)
Hahaha! 127 minutes is still pretty long for an arm to be stuck in between boulders 😛
Really really love Before Sunrise. How romantic! Unfortunately, I never found a Jesse in my wanderings. hahaha
galing ng feature na toh gay!
baka next week na yun sakin. pag may nakauna na sa choice ko, i can share another one. hehe.
Before Sunset is one of my fave .. watched it for the nth time 🙂 and the sequel as well .. I like Seven Years in Tibet too ..
Aleah, don’t stop believing! Hihi.
Ed, if someone chooses the same movie as yours, it’s alright. It would be nice to read different insights 🙂
no wonder choice ni Nina yung pang drag queen! ^_^
Awesome post Gay!
I posted something like this din on mine — “traveling through film”
ni isa sa mga to di ko nasama – i should start hunting them down!
but my list includes under the tuscan sun and only you.
Eileen, let’s add yours on the list 🙂
Gay, napanood ko yung Priscilla the Musical sa Melbourne. Winner din siya!
Chyng: Ganyan talaga kapag fabulous 😉
I Love before sunset!!!
They just talk all throughout the movie..
along the way showing perfect chemistry and romantic location 🙂
Nina, argh! Sooo jealous 🙁
Simurgh, beautifully mushy indeed 🙂
A map for Saturday sounds interesting. I’m renting it!
Parang wala pa ako napapanood sa list mo:).Pero if ever gagawa ako, I’ll include the ff:
-The Beach
-City of God
-Motorcycle Diaries
-Road Trip
-Lost in Translation
-Into the Wild
and syempre Hangover 2:)
Great list of movies. The movie that first inspired me to travel was Roman Holiday (Audrey Hepburn). All those wonderful sites shot on location & of course the “mouth of truth”.
I’ve only watched Before Sunrise/Sunset! <3
Sana mapanood ko lahat ang nasa list especially a map for Saturday it sounds interesting!
As for my list, I would include – Eat,Pray,Love and Under the Tuscan Sun
Thanks for sharing yours Karen 🙂 Maybe I could include one of your fave flicks on the next Tube Travel Tuesdday!
I’m renting Priscilla this weekend…:)
Here’s my list:
Paris j’e Taime
PS I Love You
Mama Mia
Meron ding mga pinoy movies: 🙂
These are really not my super favorites, but when I watched them, pakiramdam ko gusto ko agad mapuntahan yung lugar na pinagshootingan.
Love Me Again – (Bukidnon)
Don’t Give Up on Us – (Banawe and Sagada)
Batanes
For the First Time (Greece)
Ning, I love ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’!