Reflecting on my Watson Fellowship journey, I find myself tracing the arc of discovery through 12 countries. This pilgrimage, though dispersed across continents, always led back to a core truth: the journey was never really about where I went, but rather who I became. Here’s a glimpse into that transformation, drawn from the landscapes, stories, and people who coloured every step.
Bali: The Beginning of Self-Exploration
Bali was where it all started, both in spirit and scope. My first few days were brutal. On day four, I spent hours crying—no, weeping—and through that visceral purging, I discovered something essential: "From that moment onwards, I had proof of my ability to overcome the chaos". It was as though Bali was a mirror reflecting my deepest insecurities, demanding I confront them before moving forward. Bali also opened me up to the profound spirituality embedded in art. I found that "art and theatre are spiritual practices...done in dedication to their spiritual belief system". This was the foundation that would carry me through every country that followed, shaping my understanding of creativity and human connection.
Vietnam: The Theater of Experience
In Vietnam, the streets buzzed with life, but beneath the surface, I began noticing the impact of colonisation and communism on creativity. As I traversed the mountains, shared meals with local families, and drank rice wine under starlit skies, I uncovered a deeper sense of connection to art’s role in society. Vietnamese art was not just suppressed, but commodified—temples sponsored by telecom companies. Despite this, the resilience of everyday people showed me that “food and drinking is theatre”. This revelation would evolve into my “Theatre of Experience” manifesto, which emerged through these spontaneous, real-world encounters.
Thailand: Rest and Reflection
Thailand was a time for rejuvenation. I had just left Vietnam, where I’d experienced a whirlwind of new ideas and encounters. "I think another lesson I am learning along the journey is knowing when to take time off and rejuvenate". With the scorching 40+ degree heat, I slowed down in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, exploring temples during the cooler mornings and diving deep into theatre and spirituality in the evenings. These days weren’t filled with grand revelations but provided the much-needed rest to internalise everything I’d encountered so far.
India: The Ferocity of Life
India, in all its intensity, hit me with an energy unlike any other. "In India, art and life are one and the same". Every step through the chaos felt like an esoteric dance between history and spirituality, with art at the centre. Rishikesh, in particular, left me feeling deeply grounded—though exhausted—as I sipped chai on a homestay rooftop, preparing for a 12-hour bus ride into the Himalayas. India taught me about trust: in the process, in the people I met, and in my evolving understanding of creativity.
Turkey: A Meeting Point of Histories
Arriving in Istanbul, I felt the gravitational pull of a city that straddled continents. Turkey was a reminder of the tension between East and West, modern and ancient. My time here was short, but I was struck by how history and modernity coexisted. In between visits to ancient sites and spontaneous performances, I learned that creativity does not exist in isolation—it is always in conversation with the past.
Netherlands & France: The Dance of Ideas
In the Netherlands, I found myself entangled in conversations about art, ideas, and society. The freedom of thought was palpable, and I spent hours walking along the canals reflecting on my journey so far. But it was in France where I experienced some of the best live performance art of my life at the Lyon Dance Biennale. I noted that “travelling to a city for a festival is such a great way to see all the different neighbourhoods and step out beyond the confines of the usual tourist trail”. I was reminded once again of the power of art to transcend borders.
Camino de Santiago: A Pilgrimage Within
Walking the Camino from Portugal to Spain was a physical and emotional pilgrimage. "My feet are covered in blisters and my shoulders ache, but I am in a vibrant love affair with the pain". Each step felt like a meditation, a shedding of who I was before the journey began. The Camino wasn’t just a route on a map—it was a path to rediscovering myself, piece by piece.
Morocco: A Whirlwind of Senses
Morocco was overwhelming in the best possible way. From bustling medinas to serene desert landscapes, this country challenged and inspired me. "I have hustled and been hustled, traversing mountains and dust storms to reach recurring moments of all-encompassing awe". The juxtaposition of chaos and calm felt symbolic of my entire journey: moving between intense external experiences and deep internal reflection.
Tanzania: Endings and Beginnings
As I landed in Tanzania, I knew I was entering the final stretch of my Watson year. I carried with me everything I had learned from each country, but Tanzania felt like a full circle. The beginnings and ends, as I wrote in my journal, seemed to blur into one: "Beginnings and ends. Always beginnings and ends, all of the time".
This journey was not about accumulating experiences—it was about transformation. Each country, each conversation, each piece of art contributed to a broader understanding of myself and my place in the world. Now, as I sit back and reflect on this extraordinary year, I know that I am different, more grounded, more connected. My creativity has evolved, deeply influenced by the spirituality, art, and humanity I encountered along the way.
For more reflections and detailed stories, you can read my writings on Absolutely Brilliant.