Following a previous post about songs that inspired my travel adventures, I thought it would be a nice idea to share another list: I’ve prepared a selection of movies that have kindled my nomadic spirit.
My Motorcycle Diaries – Camino de Santiago
My Motorcycle Diaries – India
My Motorcycle Diaries – Vietnam
- The Motorcycle Diaries – The only movie I saw in a movie theatre more than once, this is the dramatization of Che Guevara’s road trip. It shows how values can change based on what you see on the road.
- The Way – One man’s personal journey on the camino de Santiago. ‘Life’s too big to walk it alone‘ is the movie tag line. Anyone who rents this should buy a backpack too!
- National Lampoon’s Vacation – The Griswald family embark on a road trip across the country to the Wally World theme park. Comedy gold with Chevy Chase.
- Into The Wild – A tragic true story about a wandering soul and daring adventurer with a kick-ass soundtrack from Eddie Vedder. Alaska was the first place I went after leaving Miami in 2011, experiencing the great outdoors firsthand through hiking and fishing.
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Cult classic and hilarious movie about a mind-bending trip to Sin City.
Up Close and Personal with the Locals
Stunning Landscape
Lawrence of Arabia setting, Jordan
- Lawrence of Arabia – I was kidnapped by a Bedouin in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Part of this movie was filmed there and that’s what took me there. Next time I’ll contact my friends in the tribal council before I arrive, a lesson I should have learned from Larry.
- Seven Years in Tibet – Made me want to befriend the Dalai Lama but couldn’t get past his security. Fun fact, myself and Brad Pitt share the same birthday.
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – I watched this on an international flight from Tokyo to LA, and maybe it was the environment, the movie was much better than the book . A nice reminder that traveling and following your dreams is possible for anyone.
- The Razor’s Edge – A movie from ’84 featuring the legendary Bill Murray telling the story of one man’s search…for himself.
- 180 Degrees South – Watching this has delayed my plans to go to Patagonia until I get a sponsorship from Patagonia and Columbia.
- The Bucket List – Having faced mortality every day for a decade in the hospice care industry, I can relate to people who wish they had sprinkled their lives with a little more daring adventure. This movie showed that it’s never too late.
- The Endless Summer – The reason behind me buying my Volkswagen bus and traveling around the country. I only actually surfed one time, managing to successfully catch a wave. Best percentage completion surf in world – 100%.
- Easy Rider – In high school, I remember ordering the movie sound track from Germany because they didn’t sell it in US. Peter Fonda was reason I purchased a motorbike when I lived Mexico.
- Eat, Pray, Love – Inspired by the book, it speaks to the current generation of nomad spirits that want to break free, explore and find a deeper purpose in their lives.
- 3 Idiots – An excellent comedy set in various places around India which I managed to see up close. It was recommended to me by new friends while I stayed in Ladakh, India.
- Central Station – Partly responsible for what made me love the Portuguese language. Even now when I walk through train stations, or see people taking dictation on typewriters, it gives me saudade of my time in Brazil.
- Little Miss Sunshine – I initially couldn’t admit that I had seen it because my sister had dated Greg Kinnear and prohibited me from seeing any of his movies, though I begrudgingly acknowledge its brilliance.
What movies have inspired you to travel?
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