As my blog's headline states - the world is a candy shop. There are so many tastes and textures in this world, just waiting to be sampled. But why do we do it? I have to say that I have on several occasions been with a group of people, who don't really understand the point of packing your bags for a week or two or for only two days and getting the hell out of here. So that got me thinking....
I guess one of the main reasons is curiosity. You want to know what's on that next page of the book you just started reading and really love. You want to know what those two girls over there are whispering about. You want to know what does it feel like to sink your toes in sand on a beach in Thailand. Why wouldn't you want to know the legend behind Machu Picchu? Yeah, you could read about it, but you'd like to see it as well, right? And you'd probably want to know how does a real hamburger in New York City tastes like. No? And you don't want to know what does it feel like to stand on the Las Vegas Strip at night with all those lights around you? (from my experience I can say that it feels awesome!)
Another reason is getting out of your daily routine. The 9 to 5 thing is great, I actually do like having a certain routine (beware - control freak!). But sometimes you just have to get out of it. Some days you just can't stand the bus driver on your daily route or the cashier at you local supermarket or the way your colleague picks up the phone (and by all means I love my closest colleagues to death). And if the feeling continues for, let's say two weeks - then you need a time out. I somehow feel that all my worries leave me for that period of time as well. You just don't think of your grandfathers health or the relationship between you and your parents or what ever is effecting you in your personal life. You're like a blank canvas, waiting to be covered with fresh paint.
Meeting new people is never boring. Besides the obvious that you get to know more people out of the 7 billion on this planet, you get to experience new cultures and temperaments as well. Talking to an American and a Brazilian is never the same. Neither is talking to an Estonian and a German. And the list could go on. All these people also somehow have an affect on your life. I can truly give you at least five examples of people, I have met during my travels that have somehow changed the way I think or see things. And I thank them for that. Some people have encouraged me to try harder, some have taught me things I would't have known by myself..never. Some people have even somehow given me a fresh perspective on my life. My talking to them and watching them I have somehow gotten a clearer picture of myself. Which brings me to one of my favorite reasons....
Me time! Traveling gives you a chance to be by yourself, even when traveling with a group. For example, one of my Me times is during flights. Yeah ok, when someone strikes up a conversation then of course I talk to them, but I always take time for myself. First of all I always try to get a window seat. I love watching the clouds or the land below them. That's when I usually think. There's just something so relaxing in flying high over the sea or land, away from all the hustle and bustle. I don't get the same feeling on a boat, which is probably because I hate travelling by boat, ship, kayak, canoe or what ever other thing that floats on water. Although I would, at one point, love to try cruising (ironic, I know). A huge cruise ship somehow seems a bit safer for me (don't even mention Costa! :)). Since most of my life is on my iPhone then I always have that with me as well and I listen to music while gazing out of the window. Music makes me think. About what do I think? My life. Somehow being away from everything and everyone makes everything so much clearer and more logical.
I bet if I'd try hard enough I'd think of a couple more reasons I travel for. These seem to be main reasons for me.
Why do you do it?
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