Albert Einstein once said, “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” As any experienced traveler will tell you, the best way to enjoy journeying abroad is to take some time to sit back and absorb the atmosphere of your surroundings. No one has abided by this philosophy more closely than Kien Lam, a self-made photographer who spent a year traveling through 17 countries across the globe. 6,237 pictures and one busted bank account later, Lam published Time is Nothing, a video account of his trek that even Ferdinand Magellan would envy.
In a concise medley of both environmental and urban destinations, Lam shows us that the Earth’s beauty knows no limits. Gargantuan mountains, peaceful valleys, exotic villages, historic monuments, and endless skyscrapers headline his travels, providing viewers with a smorgasbord of dazzling locations that tickle the senses at first sight.
According to the Daily Mail, each destination that Lam traveled receives approximately four seconds in the completed video. Lam’s work indicates that a huge chunk of life is (or should be) spent watching how others interact with the world around them, allowing each of us to perceive reality in an open-minded way. Time is Nothing reveals the similarities between cultures and how those similarities contribute to a universal sense of livelihood. The active marketplaces of Morocco vaguely resemble the fast-paced ambiance of cities like London and New York. The energetic ports of Bolivia bear similarities to the popular waterways of Paris and San Francisco.
Perhaps the greatest lesson that the video teaches us is that not making plans may be the best method of planning, as the unknown factor adds zest and excitement to any trip. According to Lam’s own testimony, “After I quit my job last year, I packed a bag, grabbed my camera and bought a one way ticket to London.” Making the one-way ticket decision offers a thrill more exciting than any safari or jungle; the thrill of unexpected discovery.
Watch the incredible video below:
Time is Nothing // Around The World Time Lapse from Kien Lam on Vimeo.
