We grow up learning each and every thing from our parents and at some point in life, after interacting with alot of people at school, university and at work, we believe to have become a better version of the person our parents wanted us to be. However, I believe there exists another person inside of us who has nothing to do with the people around, a person whose very existence is not known to our own selves. We are so busy trying to fit in the society we live in that we forget to understand who we truly are and that’s where traveling comes in.
Hi, my name is Sarim and I am a travel addict, somebody once told me that you get to discover yourself more than discovering the world when you travel, and today i can tell you from first hand experience that those are some of the wisest words I’ve ever heard. It all started with a visit to my aunt in Canada, my first trip to somewhere which was neither the place i grew up nor was it my hometown in India. Now, i admit that Iβm addicted to traveling. Sure, it’s a big expense, but it is the one expense nobody questions you for, the one thing you will never regret in life and after a few trips, i learnt how to economize so it isn’t as much of an expense as one might think.
Each trip of mine has been an epic adventure, it’s not just relaxing on the beaches of Sri Lanka, learning about the history of Europe, experiencing the picturesque of Switzerland, these are the things the advertisements tell you, in reality, you experience and learn those things which you never knew you were looking for. Here are 8 things i’ve learnt in my travels so far:
Table of Contents
Every Place Is Unique
No matter which part of the world you are in, you will always find something that leaves you speechless. Here is what i mean, the Danish leave their babies in the stroller outside on the sidewalk when they visit a bar, marijuana is legal in Amsterdam but you can’t smoke cigarettes in places which allow the green herb, drinking beer during lunch time on a working day is totally normal in Spain, it’s considered offensive to tip the waiters in many places in South Korea, it is offensive to NOT finish a bottle of Vodka served in a business meeting in Russia, you can get a can of coca-cola delivered to your doorstep in Dubai. There are so many things which might take a while to comprehend but there are people who live it on a daily basis.
Leaving your comfort zone will become easy
We all have it, whether its sticking to our choices of food, keeping to ourselves or staying amongst our own circle of people. You will go beyond these borders in your travels, you will learn to live without the use of technology, you will learn to keep conversations rolling with absolutely anyone and best of all you will open up to new experiences. The idea of doing something you have never done before will give you a crazy rush of adrenaline.
Good People Are Everywhere
They say if you have a good heart you will always search for the good in everyone and traveling proves just that. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made before traveling was to stereotype the expats i knew at home in Dubai to the locals of their respective hometowns, I was blind. Yes we all read the news, the media makes sure that we are aware of the bad things that are happening around the world, but they never tell you the good that exists. You will meet people who will go out of their way to make your experience more memorable, regardless of the fact that they barely know you. I have come across people who’ve been so nice to me that made me question my own self, most of whom are not even aware of how much of an impact they’ve made on me, but they will always remain in my memory forever. A cab driver in Spain refused to accept the fare because his wife gave birth to his son while i was in the cab and I was the first person he shared the news with, he just met me 5 mins before but he managed to earn my respect for him and the people of his country.
Collect Memories That Will Last Forever
Living in a hostel is one of the best experiences in the world, if any of you know me personally, you know how much i recommend it. You meet people from all around the world who will probably be very different from you but they’re all there for the exact same reason as you, to see the world. I’ve personally seen people who normally keep to themselves, strike a conversation with a stranger and create some awesome memories together. Itβs what they say, two strangers are just two friends who haven’t met yet. There is a very high possibility that you will never see them again, but they will remain in your memory forever and you will be part of their’s too.
You Will Become Responsible
Traveling to a foreign land can be scary and challenging, especially if you are traveling solo. You are forced to do things you don’t normally do at home, taking care of your belongings, being forced to find your way back when you are lost and for sure you will learn to survive without Google. Besides how do you expect to discover the hidden gems in this world without getting lost? At the end of each trip you will always look back and wonder what you could’ve done differently, but hereβs my advice, never regret any of it, you don’t learn to ride a bicycle without falling.
You Will Improve Your Professional Life
You have 2 days in a city not known to you, what do you do? You talk to the locals, browse through websites or brochures from the local tourist office and make a plan of how, when and where do you go to make the best of your time (Action Plan and Time Management). Ofcourse during the course of those 2 days, you will come across unforeseen situations like getting lost or not being able to communicate in a foreign language, but you will figure it out (Problem Solving and Project Management). Taking risks, dealing with people who you don’t want to deal with, adapting to the locals way of doing, small experiences like these will stick to you and enhance your personality even after those 2 days.
You Will Appreciate What You Have
Everyone whines about their life to someone at some point or the other, even if it is just to yourself. Traveling opens your eyes to all kinds of people from different places and different cultures. Seeing a smile on the less fortunate and realizing that they might have a bigger heart than yours definitely leaves a deep mark, it make take a closer look at myself and i actually felt ashamed but every such time i decided to change one thing in myself for the good. You discover a completely new perspective for every single thing in life and appreciate the good from even the smallest of the things.
You Can Learn From Anyone
I really mean anyone, it could be a 10 year old kid or a 75 year old lady. Whether it’s a crash course in a new language or learning to eat with chopsticks, everyone has something to offer that you don’t already have, it’s up to you to either learn from it, or disregard it because you believe that you know better. I learned to cook spaghetti from a guy who was 4 years younger than me. It doesn’t always have to be a good thing, bad things are equally important, they make you aware of the things you do not want in yourself.
I’m sure there are more than just 8 things to learn from traveling, which i am yet to discover, but the bottom line is that you will become a better version of you. We live in a fast paced eat-sleep-work-repeat lifestyle so we all deserve a break. There will never be a right moment, there will never be a perfect destination, there will always be a dozen excuses but it’s up to you to figure out a way to grab a backpack and escape to a strange land. Yes, it does take a toll on the pocket, but do you really need that Mercedes? Those shiny shoes will wear off, the tacky gadgets will become outdated, that expensive dress will become old but the priceless memories of your travels will always remain a part of you forever and ever. Live To Travel and Travel To Live.
