Into the Wild

A few weeks ago, I was looking for a book on travel in Amazon.com, trying to see if there's another enjoyable book out there like Long Way Round. I liked the chronicle of LWR, where the protagonists traveled eastwards from London to eastern Europe to finally Alaska and then New York (hence the title).

In this process, I encountered the book, Into the Wild, and after reading it's synopsis and a few reviews, I was to say the least, haunted by what it was about. It's the story of a college graduate who walked away from a bright future, friends, and family. For what reason? Maybe chase something, find something or run away from something. However, some time later, his emaciated body was discovered rotting in the Alaska wilderness.

Why did he do it? And more importantly, what was he chasing or running away from? Despite how much the whole thing intrigued a fundamental question in me and haunted my soul, I decided that it's not time to get into it yet.

It's shocking to say the least. For weeks, I tried to get it out of my consciousness. Every time the thought to read it comes, I have an excuse to not do it. Tonight, however is different. The questions remain. I know I have to follow this all the way.

Why did he do it? Why did he let go of everything that was important in his life? W-H-Y?

I'm compelled to know. To get to the bottom of this. As I contemplate what drove this young man to follow this path and ultimately his death, I contemplate my own existence and the things that I hold dear in my life. I too am searching for something. I too am trying to follow a path.

So, I finally put the order to Amazon.com. I feel the chills down my spine. What will I find?