I have made international travel a part of my life since I was 19. It started with "Spring Break" (not the ~girls gone wild~ kind but still loads of fun) in Bermuda. As the plane left the airport on our return to Boston, I looked out the window and saw the turquoise waters, in differing hues fade slowly from sight as we ascended into the clouds. My thoughts were: travel is going to be a huge part of my life forever.
A 6 month backpacking trip to Europe, Greece and Israel in my early 20's followed, with trips over the years back to Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa. I just returned from 2 weeks in China.
What does it say about the Swiss, whose streets you could eat lunch off of, or the Chinese who think traffic signals are merely "suggestions" but where it is illegal to own guns and there is virtually no violent crime? Or the Italian culture where mom, dad, kids and grandparents are together on week-ends much more than in our culture? Or a poor Berber in Morocco who would welcome a stranger into his home with open arms and offer mint tea when they had little else?
I loved every place I have been, because I took my cultural "eyes" and left them at home. I "saw" people through different lenses.
I will make a confession: I don't like sightseeing. You may be shocked to hear this. "Than why in the heck do you travel"? you may be thinking.
I travel because it makes me a happier, more grounded individual. I return from a trip with an appreciation of what freedom means, especially to a single woman. I travel to witness a culture completely different than mine with language and food I may know nothing about. I observe the differences in shops, café's and traffic and get insight into the psyche of a culture. I am more empathetic, content and open-minded. I can be friends (or feel comfortable with clients) who have diverse backgrounds and who think differently. I appreciate my country in a more profound way and don't "knit-pick" our political process and legal system.
So next time you are thinking of going to a Therapist, save the money for a trip to a foreign country. You might just get a whole lot more out of it.
Real Estate Problem Solver and Tenant Specialist. Selling your tenant occupied home/condo can be problematic. I can simplify the sale and avoid pitfalls.
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I completely agree with you. I've been to several other countries and it makes me truly grateful for the creature comforts we have here in America. It was quite a revelation to me that people can be happy in other countries too though :) For some narrow minded reason, I didn't think anyone else in the world could be as happy as we American's are.
Erika
Agreed.And "happiness" is such a relevant term, isn't it?
I'd agree...also, when you've visited lots of places, it makes talking to clients much easier...whether the client is from the area you visited or has visited the area themselves...travel turns regular small talk into something more relatable, which is good for business
What great advice! A different perspective for travel.
Lee and Katherine:
I don't like senseless chatter, so yes, travel does make us more interesting people.
Li:
Thanks for your comment. I actually was unaware of the main reason I loved to travel so much until I really gave it some thought. I always rejected those packaged tours of 5 cities in 10 days. I prefer solo-off-the-beaten-path travel with a couple weeks in depth in a few places. (well, I wish I had more time to spare, but that is the reality of working for a living) :)
Deborah, nice post. Travel extends our horizons in more than one way!
Silvia
Iche spreche Deutsch auch! But probably not as good as you. Thanks for the comment on my post!
Deborah, that is great! I have always wanted to travel internationally but hadn't really had the chance to. I recently decided that I am going to treat my self to one trip every year.
Tanya
Even a trip to Canada or Mexico is international. If you want to get ideas on where to go (where the US dollar is strrongest) and other destination info. join Fodor's talk Forum. (fodors.com). It is such a resource. I travel cheaply and stay in Hostels sometimes, and eat from the street vendors in many places. Happy Travels!