When do we first get the urge to travel?
Regardless of being 8 or 28, I have always wanted to travel. From the forest in my backyard where I would write poems in trees and pretend animals were talking to me, to searching for religious understanding during a coca ceremony in Peru. I like to move, I like to learn new things, I like to talk to people, I like to learn more about myself and what I am capable of. I like to be surprised, I like to feel slightly uncomfortable, I like to wake up in the morning and try something new.
My love for travel might trace back to a rebellious nature of “don’t tell me what to do.” A lot of people will probably think that attitude is a bad character trait, rude, defiant, etc. But anytime I either said that phrase or implied it, my mom always explained it differently to me. She said, it’s good to think for yourself but learn to ask why someone wants you to do something. Why do people want you to act in a certain way? Do you have to be mean and rude about it? You can politely decline if you believe that is what is right. My mom always used questions and reasoning rather than commanding statements. “Rachael, can you please clean your room so we don’t trip on something?” “Rachael, let's read Harry Potter together tomorrow rather than stay up until 3am so you are not tired for school.” Needless to say, my mom is amazing and she taught me to think differently and ask questions. I didn't need to be different, I just needed to be myself.
Growing up, international travel wasn’t something we could consider. So naturally, it was all I wanted to do when I got the chance. I teach in an area similar to where I grew up and when my students are astounded that I am able to travel to different countries. I always tell them, I made it a priority and waited for my time. The first time I was ever on an airplane was the 10 hour flight to Chile when I was 19 years old, which is rather strange for a millennial. Travel is something so special to me because it is not a given, it is not easy for me to do so and it takes a lot of sacrifices.
I asked a lot of my friends why they travel. Answers were consistently to get out of my normal routine and to learn about and from others. And I would add one more reason that rings truest to me. I travel to learn more about others so I can learn more about myself. It is also important to note that for solo/ long term/ international travel, I think it is important to have a firm grasp on who you are. Whether you want to change that person or not, you have to know yourself. The age-old quote, “wherever you go, there you are,” is so true. You can’t travel to escape yourself, you can’t run away from you.
THE REAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT IN HAVING NEW EYES.
-MARCEL PROUST
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