An Ordinary Act
When you travel, life often feels like a string of “extraordinary” moments. But on this day, I found myself doing something very quiet, something simple and “ordinary.”
I was weeding a garden.
It began with a casual remark from my host: “I’d like to make this place a little nicer. The weeds are growing too fast…”
The moment I heard those words, something moved inside me. “I’ll do it,” I replied without hesitation.
I didn’t have a shovel, a sickle, or gloves. But I had my hands, and I thought that was enough.
Touching the Earth
As I pulled out each weed, I realized this was not just “cleaning up.” Every time my hands moved, the smell of the soil rose. My fingertips felt the roots resist and then loosen slightly as they came free.
It struck me how long it had been since I felt that simple sensation. Traveling by bicycle in Australia, I spend my days with the wind on my face—riding, meeting people, saying goodbye, discovering new places. All of these experiences are vivid and precious. Yet, on this day, with my hands in the soil, I felt I had regained a very human sense of connection.
Within that simple act of pulling weeds, I found three things: the desire to be useful, the joy of touching the earth, and the hope of imagining the future.
Perhaps the host might plant fruit here. Perhaps one day she will pick fresh tomatoes with a smile. I pictured those scenes as I continued to pull weeds quietly, one by one.
Reactions and Reflections
When I later shared this story on social media, I received mixed reactions. Some said, “It’s dangerous, don’t do that,” or “That’s not what a traveler should do.”
Of course, there are insects, and yes, there’s a risk of injury. But for me, the choice is simple:
“If I don’t do it, I’ll regret it.”
So I choose to do it. Even if it’s inconvenient, even if it takes more effort, that’s what travel means to me—trying things.
The Meaning in Simple Work
Touching the soil. Touching nature. Touching people. Touching the heart.
I felt all of these within that time of weeding.
Travel is not only about going far. Sometimes, it’s about reaching inward.
That is what I believe.
