I LOVE going away to see places. It does not matter if it’s a short trip or a long one, whether new place or old. All it needs to be is somewhere I have long loved or wanted to visit, for whatever reason. When I do manage get away from the normal hustle and bustle of things, I try to do so as a traveler, not as a tourist.
I make the distinction because we are all capable of being both. There are moments when we need to be tourists cramping as many sites (and shopping) as we can, right? We can travel and aim to see what we can with the limited time given. There really isn’t anything wrong with that. My problem is that I do not really like being rushed to see places, I like taking my time.
I find it stressful packing in as much travel experience as I can in one “suitcase” so to speak. I like savoring every moment spent learning about cultures, people and tasting local cuisine and produce. I like lingering in places frequented by locals and I like interacting with them even when there are times when communication is reduced to just sign language.
Sometimes, even that doesn’t help and I smile and say thank you before politely walking away. It happens.
I research extensively about the places I am visiting and yet I go there without any real itinerary. I just have options and emergency go-to places just in case my daily activities do not work according to plan. I don’t really shop but if I do, I only buy local unless something that’s not is seriously on sale (and I always have a budget and criteria to go with it). I really just spend on food and unique experiences and that’s the way my soul gets fed.
Memories locked in photographs and paintings I make during the trip, flavors and smells I recall reminding me of favorite eating places and a rush of feelings of happiness, accomplishment and pride that I was brave enough to travel on my own (or sometimes with others) according to my own terms and in my own time.
Traveling helps me appreciate what I have and renews my faith in other people who help me, inspire me and teach me important lessons along the way. You really stand to learn a lot from a trip. More than just ticking off another entry from your bucket list, you learn how to trust yourself, rely on your decisions and just go out into the world and discover more of what life has to offer by seeing how life and people in other places can be different yet still find a common ground where you can share a good laugh, some interesting stories to create a meaningful memory to last you a lifetime.
Now that, is good food for the soul. That warm fuzzy feeling you get when you think about it will always be there to remind you.
Happy Sunday and safe travels everyone!!! :)