Beara Beara｜My Travel Epiphanies in the Bloom of Paris（內含折扣碼）

In Collaboration with Beara Beara

一個急性子的人，會用什麼方式旅行？

 

從前，我對於「旅行」的要求就是，希望能夠在最短的時間內看最多的東西，盡可能將旅行的效益最大化，不想「浪費」待在異國的每分每秒。我習慣將行程塞得極滿，所有計畫都要制定得滴水不漏，強迫症般地一切都要在掌控之中，而具體實踐起來，大概就是一段無敵疲憊的行軍過程。

 

然而前陣子的一堂法文課上，卻讓我對於「旅行」有了不同的體悟。

 

講義上有則很簡短的三格漫畫，A 問了要怎麼區分觀光客和旅人呢？B 言簡意賅地答道：「旅人為了發現不同的國家與人而出發，而觀光客就只是去確認旅遊書上所寫的為真。」這彷彿一記當頭棒喝，也是這時我才了解到，原來我一直以為的「旅行」，其實是名符其實的「觀光」，只是汲汲營營地希望親眼看到、親手拍下旅遊指南和網路資料都會告訴我們的著名景點，卻忘了慢下來，用心體會當地的城市氛圍，以及悉心觀察生活於其中的人們。當然，觀光沒什麼不好，但這和我所期待的旅行不同。從這個角度思考，我所習慣的嚴謹與緊湊，在旅途中何嘗不是更大的「浪費」？

 

How is the travel like for an impatient person?

As an impatient person focusing on the efficiency of things, I always arranged my trips like this: after fastidiously detailed planning, I would also think of every possibility that might happen during the trip, and then come up with Plan B and Plan C. I would like to see as much as possible during limited time, and do not want to “waste” every tiny second in the exotic place. Although it was extremely exhausting when putting all my travel plans into practice, I still kept doing it anyways.

 

Not long ago, after reading a comic regarding voyage on a handout in my French class, I happened to have some epiphany about travel. In the comic, one raised a question, “What is the difference between a traveler and a tourist?” The other answered laconically yet sagely, ” A traveler leaves for discovering the countries and the people, while a tourist just goes there to verify their travel guide doesn’t lie.” Not until then, did I realize that all the “travels” I considered myself being through were actually sightseeings. Of course there’s nothing wrong being a tourist going sightseeing. It’s just not what I want. I want real travels. It seems that I should slow myself down a little bit, trying to experience the exotic ambience, instead of taking pictures with monuments.

 

「旅行真正的意義，並不在於尋找新的風景，而在於獲得新的視野。」

──普魯斯特

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

──Marcel Proust

在同一堂法文課裡，也讀到著有巨作《追憶似水年華》的普魯斯特的這段名言。

無論每個人對旅行的觀點、經驗與體會多麼大異其趣，我們莫過於藉由將自己投身異地所感受到的強烈陌異化，推促自己再去多看看這個世界，也再多了解自己一點。

這是我第二次去巴黎。

出發前，我決定做點改變：希望這次，我能透過不同的眼光，看見以前從未看見的風景。

而我滿喜歡這次的改變。

 

In the same handout quoted this sentence from Marcel Proust as well.

No matter how disparate everyone feels about travel, all of us push ourselves to know more about the world and also ourselves through the strong differentiation generated from being in the exotic. This is how I feel about travel at present.

Before departing, I’ve made up my mind to make some changes. I hope I can see something different, as this is my second time in Paris. Albeit I still followed a relatively tight and tense schedule, I indeed slowed down a bit and opened my mind more. I’ve learned how to appreciate surprises, good or bad, without being emotional. I also tried to fit into the life in Paris. I’m really eager to understand more about this charming city.

And I kinda like the changes I made this time.

 

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． Prepare a feast for yourself in the morning

用心為自己準備一頓豐盛的早餐

 

上班時總是匆匆塞個麵包、抓杯咖啡的被壓縮的早餐時間，在旅行途中能被拉長、放大。以前的旅遊經驗裡，早餐也總是和平時生活一樣，快速以麵包填飽肚子，頂多再喝一杯果汁，就趕著出門了。這次，我試著放慢腳步，好好對待自己、對待一天的開始。

我喜歡前一天到當地的超市、麵包店或是小攤販，挑選自己喜愛的麵包，買幾盒在歐洲極普遍但在台灣卻不太好買的各式新鮮莓類（草莓、黑莓、藍莓、小紅莓、覆盆子）以及煙燻鮭魚。早上起床後煎個荷包蛋，將水果洗淨、煙燻鮭魚夾出，配著麵包、果汁與咖啡或是茶，一頓執行不困難，卻在日常生活中極為奢侈的自製美味早餐就完成了。

好好感受食物的味道，把自己餵飽，為這即將展開的一天蓄積身體與心靈的強大能量。

In my daily life, morning is always a rush. I can only stuff myself with a piece of bread and grab a cup of coffee on my way to work. However, mornings are lengthened when in vacation.

In the past, I had my mornings during trips very similar to my daily life: only a piece of bread, or sometimes also a cup of juice. But this time, I learned to cherish the precious moments of getting ready.

I like to buy some bread, fresh berries, eggs, smoked salmon and juice at supermarkets and boulangeries the day before. A sunny side-up with smoked salmon, fruits, juice and coffee or tea is enjoyable. I feel energized and fully prepared for the upcoming whole day with this morning feast.

 

 

． Walk to create your own city map

用雙腳走踏出屬於自己的旅行版圖

 

三年前第一次拜訪巴黎，由於住得比較遠，也習慣交通工具移動的便利，於是整段旅程便與惡名昭彰的巴黎地鐵為伍。這次，我們住在巴黎左岸的聖傑曼德佩區（Saint-Germain-des-Prés），距離各大景點、博物館都不遠。因此，我們捨棄令人提心吊膽又散發惡臭的地鐵，改以步行，無論白天或是黑夜，都慢慢散步到想去的地點。

 

雙腳踩踏過的土地最真實，有著令人更深刻的感覺記憶。而同一條路不同人走，也總會看到截然不同的景致。

 

Three years ago, when I first visited Paris, I always took the notorious metro, since my accommodation was far from the city center and I was familiar with the efficiency of transportations. This time, our airbnb was situated at the left bank of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which was close to almost every famous spot. As a result, we walked rather than took the metro during our stay. Walking in Paris was a lot of fun. I got to appreciate the beautiful streets, elegant city scape, fresh urban vibes, and not to mention the Parisians, of whom composed the city.

Don’t hesitate to walk to create your own city map! It will definitely become one of your most precious memory of the trip.

 

．Maximize your senses to feel the world

放大感官留心觀察周遭的人事物

 

旅行途中，由於身處異地，那種陌異感往往將感官觸受放得極大。然而除了自身最直接的感受與想法外，多多留心周遭的人事物，也能為這趟旅程帶來意想不到的收獲。

 

塞納河邊、櫻花樹下、博物館裡，或就只是過著他們的日常生活，於上、下班途中行走在街上的人們，實在都太有意思。我不禁猜想他們過著怎麼樣的人生、思考著怎麼樣的問題，才會有那個當下我捕捉到的畫面。而也是這次，我才懂了法文講義上「旅人發現不同的人」的概念。的確，看人、拍人比起拍固著不動又終年人潮洶湧的艾菲爾鐵塔或是凱旋門來得有趣太多了，他們流動而有生命力地在這座城市裡生活，也構成了這座城市的獨特之處。

 

During vacation, maybe it’s because of the strong differentiation I experience, I’m always sensitive with all the things surrounding me. Not only what I see, but also what I smell, touch, hear and savor, are all going to be turned into the most unforgettable part of the trip. So, open up your senses, turn them into their maximum, and feel the world.

I was lucky enough to visit Paris in its bloom, with all the cherry blossoms and many other kinds of flowers burgeoning. It was indeed amazingly beautiful. Every corner of Paris could actually be made into a postcard. Here, people gathered together to enjoy the sunshine beside the Seine, to chat under the cherry blossoms, and to sketch concentratedly in museums. Even people on their way to work or back home were so interesting to watch at. I couldn’t help but wonder what their life stories were and what they were thinking. Instantly, I knew why Baudelaire could live his life as a flâneur, because he lived in Paris.

It was indeed more interesting to watch people walking by, rather than taking pictures with monuments. Through people-watching, I could strongly feel the vibrant of this city.

 

 

這幾個小小的旅行習慣改變，讓我終於能暫時慢下腳步。儘管一路上不停碰上一些令人哭笑不得的事情，也還是能心平氣和且心胸開闊地接受並享受這趟旅程。

 

這次的改變是我自己樂見的，也由於這些習慣的轉變，讓我看到了不同於以往的異國風景。儘管看見不一樣的風景並非普魯斯特所謂「新的視野」，更無法構築他口中「旅行真正的意義」，但至少，這是個開始吧。

 

With these changes of my travel habits, I could finally slow down a little bit to experience Paris. Despite some accidents and surprises I’ve encountered through the journey, I could still keep calm and enjoy my trip, rather than being emotional as the previous me.

I’m very happy with the changes I made this time. I did see different things. Albeit seeing different things is not what Proust indicated about “new eyes”, and not to mention “the real voyage of discovery”, this is still a great start.

 

 

一次愉快的旅行，除了心態與習慣上的調整，物質上的裝備也與旅行的感受息息相關。一個品質好、耐用耐背、且具有基本防盜功能的輕便包包，在旅途中更是扮演了重要的角色。

 

最好有一個輕巧又能裝進旅途所需物品的包包，最好還能讓人能空出雙手，隨時能拿起相機拍照。斜背包和後背包看來都是不錯的選擇，而斜背包又不至於像後背包一樣讓人惴惴不安沒有安全感。然而我這次背去巴黎的斜背包，容量只夠裝得下最基本的錢包、護照、手機和隨身面紙、濕紙巾和護唇膏，寫滿行程規畫的筆記本、各式票券、資料、旅遊書等等需要另外提，再加上鏈帶本身的重量，因此雖然背的東西不多，一整天在外行走，肩頸還是會有一定的負擔。

 

Beara Beara 的 Camino，不只容量更大，重量卻不會比我背去巴黎的鏈帶小包重，復古的英倫方形包外觀與紅棕色的皮革，讓整體造型更具特色。她可以是一個每天背著出門的隨身包，也可以是專門用來裝載單眼的相機包，更是一個適合旅行，大小、重量皆適宜的輕便包款。包包內裡軟墊與軟麂皮的設計，增加了緩衝；而復古的金屬壓扣，壓下去外還需要某個角度往上提才能打開的設計，也讓包包多了層防護，在治安不太好的地方，或多或少能帶來些安全感。順帶一提，Camino 的背帶可調整長度的範圍很大，對我來說，更減少了背帶太長而顯得比例奇怪的困擾。幾週背著 Camino 東奔西走下來，發現她不僅容量不小又輕便，實用性很高外，頗具特色的復古色澤與方形外觀，更獲得許多目光與讚賞，像上週末去買鞋時，就得到鞋店老闆的大力稱讚。

 

There’s no doubt that during travels, the items one brings will definitely effect one’s feelings and experiences beside the mindset and habit changes. A quality bag that is easy and light to carry, and of course has basic anti-theft designs, plays an important role in vacations.

As I decided to walk to create my own city map, I knew that I needed a cross-body bag, which was far better than a backpack, since it was easier to keep an eye on. It’s better lightweight as well. However, the bag I carried to Paris was only roomy enough to accommodate my purse, passport, iPhone, napkins and lip balms. For my travel notes, city map, train tickets and some other paper things, I had to fit them into another bag. What was more, the metal strap was quite heavy. As a result, although I didn’t carry many stuffs, my shoulders hurt after a long day walk.

Beara Beara’s Camino is inspired by the vintage British box bag. It can be carried as a go-to bag, and also as a camera bag, and of course, it will absolutely be a great travel bag. The size and weight of Camino is suitable for travel. The leather is sturdy and structured, but surprisingly, it’s not heavy. The suede and cushion design of the bag interior can indeed protect cameras; the boxy structure makes the bag spacious, and the vintage metal buckle requires some “push-ups”, which makes it not a easy victim to pickpockets. By the way, the strap of Camino is adjustable for a huge range. It makes me avoid the weirdness of carrying a bag with too long strap. Carrying Camino with me for weeks, I find it not only quite lightweight and spacious, but also stylish with its vintage color and boxy silhouette. I did get lots of compliments due to this bag.

 

 

 

Beara Beara 的包款除了以玻利維亞傳統的編織花紋為經典，結構性強又復古感濃厚的設計，也是品牌的特色，而賦予每個設計一個專屬於他的名字，更是 Beara Beara 將生命帶進設計，以設計提升生活的最佳例證。

講究的皮革品質、具有特色的外形設計與 100% 純手工的製作，更重要的是，品牌背後所支撐著的家族群體與豐厚的故事能量，都讓英國的 Beara Beara 成為一個過目難忘的包款品牌。而Beara Beara 的創辦人 Jake Bullough，或許正是因為旅行而獲得的新視野，才創立了這個品牌。

 

In addition to the unique traditional aguayos, strongly structured and vintage-inclined designs are Beara Beara’s features as well. Bestowing a name to every individual bag also presents Beara Beara’s spirit of bringing life into designs and with which elevating life quality.

The quality leather, the characteristic look and the 100% handmade process, and most importantly, the stories behind the brand and the families the brand supports, all make Beara Beara an unforgettable leather bag brand. And it is probably due to the new eyes the founder, Jake Bullough, acquired during his travel, there’s the birth of Beara Beara.

 

 

創辦人 Jake 不是設計師、沒有藝術相關背景，甚至沒有大學文憑，他熱愛的事情就是旅行。倚憑著想看更多這個世界的熱情與決心，他踏上旅途。每到一個地方，他會待上長長的時間，同時在當地兼差打工賺取旅費。當他遇見 Julia 一家前，他正住在玻利維亞，著手撰寫他所認識的當地人的生活。Julia 一家多年來在玻利維亞經營一間小型皮件店，然而銷售卻始終不見起色。Jake 有感於當地傳統文化與精湛手工藝的可貴，也希望能幫助當地人的生計，便與 Julia 聯手。Beara Beara 算是典型的社會企業。Jake 為當地人創造了許多就業機會，希望能藉此改善他們的生活品質；同時，Jake 也將玻利維亞極具特色的傳統編織圖騰 aguayos 用在許多設計上，推廣、保存了當地相當特殊的傳統文化。

 

Jake 走進玻利維亞人的生活中，與他們對話、用心感受當地的歷史與文化、看見他們的需求，並且為他們尋求解決之道。若沒有一個不同於日常生活的視野，看得見這麼細膩、這麼在地的問題嗎？

 

於我而言，我看見了巴黎不同的風景，看見形形色色人們的姿態與風貌，並猜想他們的生活與個性。然而我終究只是個過客，終究只是在自己的想像裡編織畫面。我並未走進當地的生活，我少了很多深度的談話，因而我看不到更深刻的在地問題，也少了很多認識當地文化的機會。當然，短期的旅遊不可能做得到這麼多。只有像是 Jake 以旅行為志業，每到一個地方就待上一年半載，以開闊的心靈與各式各樣的人交談、來往，親身體驗當地的生活，才有可能看得到這些。

 

我透過旅遊習慣的改變，看到了新的風景；而 Jake 由於旅行，擁有了新的視野，或許也體現了普魯斯特口中所謂「旅行真正的意義」，也才有了 Beara Beara 的誕生。

 

Jake is neither a designer, nor has any art backgrounds, but he absolutely makes it as a successful entrepreneur. In his early age, the only thing he adored was travel, so he left for traveling to get to know the world. Whenever Jake got to a new place, he always stayed there for months even years. During his stay, he worked part-time and tried to fit into the local lives. Before he met Julia’s family, he was living in Bolivia documenting the lives of the people he encountered there. Julia’s family has been running a small leather shop in Bolivia; however, the sales were not so satisfying. Inspired by the craftsmanship and traditional culture of Bolivia, Jake decided to collaborate with Julia. Beara Beara is kinda a typical social enterprise. Jake shoulders up the responsibility to create more job opportunities for the residents in Bolivia. He hopes to improve the livelihoods for local people through providing employments. Meanwhile, Jake applies the indigenous Bolivian woven patterns, the vintage Andean clothes, aguayos, into his designs, to promote and also to preserve this unique traditional Bolivian culture.

Jake steps into the lives of Bolivians himself. He interacts and talks to local people wholeheartedly, and witnesses their needs. Then, he tries to figure out a solution for them. If it was not for a vision different from the ones in quotidian lives, would Jake see these local problems so thoroughly and delicately?

For me, I did see differently during my trip to Paris this time. I saw all kinds of people on the streets, and couldn’t help but wonder how their life was and what they had been through. However, I’m just a passer-by of the city. In lack of more profound conversations and true understandings of the cultures, I will never be able to see what Jake has seen in his travels, especially in an ephemeral 10-day trip. Only for people like Jake, who can stay in one place for a long time and have chances to communicate with local people, are able to see things more penetratingly.

I indeed saw disparate views through the changes of my past travel habits, while Jake acquired new eyes thanks to his travel experiences, and he perhaps realized what Proust meant about “the real voyage of discovery”, and generated the birth of Beara Beara.

 

挑一個能陪伴你走遍千山萬水的 Beara Beara 吧！踏上旅程，在獲得新視野的同時，讓一個品質、耐用度與安全性皆值得信賴的包包，不只裝載你的隨身物品，也裝載一路上所遇見的故事。6/3（六）前網路下單結帳時，輸入「elise15」，就能獲得 85 折的優惠（特價品除外）， 以更實惠的價錢將 Beara Beara 帶上旅途。

 

Don’t hesitate to choose a Beara Beara bag to accompany you in your trips. As you are on your way of “having new eyes”, a quality, durable and secure bag is a friend you can totally rely on. It carries not only your travel belongings, but also the stories you encounter and create during your travels. Enter my promo code “elise15” to get a 15% off discount when checking out your purchase online (except bags on sale) before Jun.3. Get a Beara Beara with you on your journey with this promotion code for a more fair price!

Beara Beara 官網：https://bearabeara.co.uk/

 

 

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