Why do you travel?
2012-06-20 15:30
If I could humbly put forward an opinion, I would state that: practical experience is the best teacher because it gives the test before the lesson.
The one thing that can be said about travel is that it truly is inspiring. People travel for different reasons, paved by a binding force that drives most of us to adventure, pious retreats or good old restlessness.
Without being a professional on the human psyche and condition, I would like to propose the following: curiosity is innate human nature. There is no better fulfillment to the desire that fills us all than to acquire knowledge through lived experiences rather than to be given secondhand, privileged incidents.
Let us take a look at what could be some of the top reasons to go traveling.
Escapism
I'm not talking about escapism in its negative guise. Going to other parts of the world is a way of simultaneously escaping your own problems all the while putting those problems into perspective. Seeing new things and meeting new people can help you get out of the cycle of working and worrying. Ultimately, the result is that your own problems don't seem so large when contextualised against how the rest of the world lives.
Vacation
According to a study conducted in the UK many families are willing to work longer hours and give up certain luxuries, but most are reluctant to give up their holiday time. Fancy phones, big TV's, lavish parties, expensive meals ... these are all things we can do without. But a little time to ourselves, with no one making constant demands on us, is a much more basic human need than any such frivolities. For those of us who love to travel, experiences and memories are more important and meaningful than material possessions.
Free from crowds
Warren Buffet says, "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." If Buffett's wisdom were ever applied to the urge to travel, now is the time! Look for secret-season escapes with not-so-full hotels and attractions devoid of the usual maddening crowd.
Gap year travel
School's out for ever. It's time to see what the world can teach you. It might be the year that makes you work out what you really want to do at university or it might be the year that makes you forget high school. Volunteering or beach-bumming, no matter what you do, a year off could be the best education you get.
Getting away from the break-up
While you might want to check yourself into Heartbreak Hotel, my advice would be to rather hit the road to shake the blues. And why the hell not? Especially when there's a chance to meet someone else (and be able to send postcards back to an ex)? Eat, Pray, Love was proof that Javier Bardem is just waiting for you to ditch that bad relationship and find a new love in travel.
Mid life crisisThere's nothing like heading into another culture to work out what your life's all about - plus it's more rewarding than buying a sports car. Whether you rekindle old interests, meet people who challenge your beliefs or just let yourself be lost for a year, travel will tell you what's important in life. Just try to do it while avoiding a comb-over or plastic surgery.
To appreciate culture around the world
For a greater understanding of the world and the people in it. You may come back a different person, a better person, a more complete global citizen that has decoded important knowledge about life.
Travel is exactly what you want to do
Do you really need
a justifiable reason? It could just be that you always wanted to see
the Greek Islands or that you want to taste yum cha in Hong Kong, but
whatever's raised your travel appetite, you'll never regret booking a
round-the-world ticket and heading off. Inspirational, escapism or just
dirty old fun, whatever reason you take a RTW trip for, you're bound to
be surprised by what you discover on your journey - about the world and
yourself.
Essentially there are more beneficial reasons than valid excuses to go travelling. Oscar Wilde once said "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."
That sensational read was very much inspired by his travels, I'm sure.
We’re interested in finding out what inspires your reasons for travel, please let us know below?
