Why Not!!

I was planning to watch the movie 'Tracks' for a long time, but the sheer unattractiveness of the desert and barren landscapes kept me off from an inspiring experience.

Until finally, I watched this movie which might not seem familiar to many but could be a life-changing experience.

?"Why Not!!"

This is the answer Robyn Davidson gave when she was doubted on her quest for solo trekking the Australian outback, a 1700-mile journey on foot in the desert land.

Her clarity of thoughts and decision came with a deep conviction, and it is not just a movie script, but adapted from real-life experience.

Robyn Davidson the lead movie character in Tracks, says,

"I believe the subconscious always know what is best. It is our conditioned, vastly overrated rational mind which screws everything up."

And that so justifies the life most of us live. The rational vs subconscious ramblings. Ultimately, we live the rational mind, most of the time, because we want to be part of society.

Although I have not read the book, the adapted movie is a highly engrossing experience. The cinematography is mesmerizing and the character experience is unique.

Robyn is not a woman who works by instinct. She knew what she wanted. Back in 1977, she trained herself to handle camels for 9 long months before she embarked on the solo journey.

She says,

" The trip wasn't conceived as an adventure, in the sense of something to be proved or conquered."

She was duped by the camel farm owner for their barter deal and lost the camels she worked for six long months. Ultimately, through friends and acquaintances, she received sponsorship from National Geographic on one condition that her experience will be photographed.

?Wary of the National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan who helped her with the sponsorship as well as helped her through the journey, her quest was solitude, and she did not want anyone to accompany or ruin it.

With her dog and four camels, she took a 9-months solo journey on foot amidst stark desert, heat, wild conditions, natives, and their beliefs.

Hardly touching civilization, she respected the ways natives operate and was warmly received as the camel lady.

Rick who was the official photographer from National Geographic crossed paths with her to document her experience and eventually became an ally.

?She remained undaunted by nothing and no one.

"The two important things that I did learn were that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be and that the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking the first step, making the first decision."

?Robyn's simplistic existence is untainted by beauty.

"I liked myself this way, it was such a relief to be free of disguises a prettiness and attractiveness. Above all that horrible, false, debilitating attractiveness that women hide behind. I must let people see me as I am."

?The Robyn we see with a strong fa?ade and stubborn attitude through the movie is the epitome of resilience and conviction. Yet at one point she gives in

That’s us. All of us. Accept it or not. The movie captures the emotional highs and lows of the lead, yet she does not deviate from her purpose.

Putting yourself in such unprecedented hostile situations is not a decision taken by an insane mind, but someone with a strength of belief in self.

End of the journey

The movie touches on different of life – Family, background, purpose, acceptance, beliefs, preferences and much beyond.

One of the striking dialogues in the movie is

"Some nomads are at home everywhere. Others are at home nowhere, and I was one of those."

We all want to belong to a person, home, feeling, or life and yet we all are nomads. Some in the mind, others in the world. Ultimately the decision to be or not to be is driven by what you stand for, what you believe in.

Robyn (r) with actress Mia(l) on the sets of the movie

For Robyn it was a journey that changed her outlook towards life. Far, farther, farthest as our journeys may take us, this movie teaches us to live and not just exist.

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