What Would Anderson Copper Do?
What Would Anderson Copper Do?
When I was in my 20’s I was fearless. I went swimming with sharks, jumped out of planes over Florida and traveled the world working on cruise ships. I was meeting people from around the world and dancing till dawn as I sailed the seven seas.
In my 30’s I left the world of luxury travel and took a full time teaching job in my hometown. As I bought furniture, dishes and a car I started to feel settled but I also began to second guess a few of my choices. Perhaps all the time I spent in search of action and adventure would have been better spent on putting down roots in one community? As the year passed I began to feel an increasing sense of anxiety. Friends around me were getting married, having children and buying houses. None of that felt like the right path for me but like trying to smash a square peg in a round hole I tried to make it work.
For part of this year I forgot how to see myself as a citizen of the world. I had put my passport in my closet instead of in my pocket. As I struggled to figure out why living in a small town wasn’t working for me I happened to be watching CNN. Looking out to the world I wanted to be exploring, I found a man who was “keeping them honest” and he helped me stay true and honest to myself.
I dug my way out of my confusion by asking one simple question. What would Anderson Cooper do? I mean think about it, here is a guy who on a nightly basis casually mentions how he is deep in the midst of an Afghanistan training camp or knee deep in contaminated water trying to help rescue stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina. Not only does he report the news his fearless zest for life is news!
Now I know Anderson Cooper said, in Outside magazine, “My sense of what’s dangerous is completely warped. People have stopped asking me for advice, because I encourage people to go anywhere,” but his fearlessness helped me to remember that all who wander are not lost and that perhaps living in the same place for so long is an abnormal way of life.
As I began thinking about what I could do next or what I should do next I realized I had way more options then Anderson Cooper did when he started out. When Anderson was finding it hard to get started with reporting he made a fake press pass, entered Burma illegally, started to film students fighting with the Burmese government. He had the passion and the creative belief in his talents to try and sell his clips to news agencies. Me, I have a teaching degree and experience. I only had to start sending out resumes, prepare for interviews and look for warm countries I wanted to live in.
When I got my job in teaching in Kuwait people I knew and respected had a wide variety of reactions. Some people were positive and supportive. Other people said nothing and some people flat out called me crazy. At this point I didn’t even have to ask,” What would Anderson Cooper do?” I knew this decision was right for me!
Sometimes in trying to explain to people who haven’t traveled extensively, or who were afraid of the things they saw on CNN I got frustrated. Couldn’t these people just be happy about my next adventure? For me staying in one place and not exploring, even the more challenging parts of the world, is a crazy thought. So as I started to pack, get visas and prepare for my adventure to the Middle East I was getting lots of unsolicited questions, comments and advice. So I turned back to the well-traveled Anderson Cooper and his words helped put things in perspective. I read that Anderson said, “ you have to admit what you don’t know, and talk about what you do know, and talk about what you don’t know as long as you say you don’t know it.” This helped me enjoy the sharing and learning about the new culture that I will soon be experiencing. I am embracing the adventure that is forth coming!
So in September when I am shopping in one of Kuwait’s traditional souks or enjoying my first camel ride I will happily think thank goodness Anderson Cooper helped me figure out what to do!
Thanks Anderson!
Kuwait City, KUWAIT
Christine Oastler is a freelance travel writer, teacher and artist, currently living in Mahboula, Kuwait. Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Christine obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Trent University and her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. Currently traveling around the Middle East she finds herself riding the odd camel and embracing a new culture!