Adventure - Local
You will need:
- camera / cameraphone
Although this could certainly be part of a much bigger project, start off small. You want to keep it fun for yourself, and easy to do. And what are we doing, you ask? Why, taking pictures, of course! If you live in or near a city with a subway system, choose a route (or part of one), and pick a day when you're able to devote quite a bit of time to the project. The idea is to get off at each stop on the route you choose and take at least one picture at the street level of that stop. One, but hopefully more. You want to get a good idea of what's around that stop, or what isn't.
Along with the photographs, maybe take note of other things, gather any ephemera you might find - which you can put into a scrapbook, frame, or shadow box later - and naturally make note of the stop. All of the materials you gather can make great digital and physical journals or scrapbooks, or even some collage art. You could do this with a bus route too, and perhaps adapt it so that you can take pictures from your seat without getting off the bus. There's a whole different perspective as a passenger than as a walker.
Sometimes, though, it's better to give than taketh away.
You will need:
- a selection of gifts
Since gifting is a wonderful thing, and the unexpected can make someone's day, instead of taking what you find, leave something for someone else to find. You could leave behind books, magazines, stickers, compliment cards that say something to make the person's day, old jewellery, a message in a bottle, postcards, etc. It's a good idea to put these inside plastic bags so they're less likely to get damaged by the elements - and the things that live in the elements - before they get found.
You could:
New to you:
Take part in something the locale is known for that you haven't done before.
Shadow box:
Make a shadow box of some of the ephemera you find, or frame things.
Photo:
Choose a colour and take nothing but pictures of things that are that colour.
Eat:
On your travels, stop somewhere you've never been before and try a food that you've never had before.
Art:
Create an art installation using sticky notes and a pen and put it somewhere public for a stranger to find.
Rubbings:
Take pencil rubbings of different surfaces/textures you find on your travels, and create a collage after.
Events:
Keep your eyes open for local Doors Open and Open Streets activities.
You could also:
- Walk your adventure instead of riding it, if transit is not an option.
- Create a t-shirt that commemorates your day.
- Upcycle something you found.
- Learn about the people indigenous to your area.
- Attend a historical re-enactment.
- Go to a poetry reading, spoken word, or open mic event.
- Join a photo walk or history walking tour.
- Visit a local landmark.
- Participate in a local marathon, charity run, or walk.
- Attend a local author or academic's book signing or lecture.
- Go to an outdoor concert or movie screening.
- Visit a nearby community or urban farm.
- Visit a local flea market or swap meet.
- Explore a local cemetery.
- Visit a local botanical garden or arboretum.
- Go to a local escape room or puzzle adventure.
- Explore a local bike trail or cycling route.
- Take a hike or go for a walk in a nearby nature reserve or garden.
- Have a picnic in a scenic spot.
- Go birdwatching (or bird-listening), or try to spot local wildlife.
- Take a bike ride through the park.
- Visit a local museum or historical site.
- Attend a cultural festival or event.
- Try a new restaurant or cafe.
- Visit a farmers' market.
- Shop at a local thrift store (and maybe upcycle what you bought).
- Visit a local art gallery or studio.
- Attend a local concert or music event.
- Volunteer for a community service or project.
- Visit a local greenhouse.
- Take a yoga or fitness class at a local studio.
- Join a club or other group at the library.
- Participate in a street art or mural project.
- Take a food tour of the city.
- Participate in a local planting project.
- Visit a park you've never been to before.
- Explore the waterfront (if you have one).
- Attend a demonstration.
- Host a pot luck dinner with friends and family.
- Visit a secret garden or hidden green space.
- Explore a lesser-known neighbourhood or street.
- Take a street art tour.
- Join in a local park cleanup project.
- Find a workshop offered by a local artisan, artist, or crafter.
- Attend a cooking class.