As a former flight attendant for over 20 years and a present
day travel addict, I’ve traveled to 54 countries, throughout the United States
and sailed on over 34 cruises. My bags are always ready to be packed for a new adventure.
Here are just a few of
the reasons I thrive on new places, new experiences and meeting new people.
No photo adequately
captures the breathtaking majesty of the Grand Canyon, the rare beauty of a double
rainbow across the entire horizon at sea, the romance of Paris at night or the
thrill of a hot air balloon floating serenely over the Sonora Desert as sunset
paints a masterpiece across the sky and the desert. No book or video can rival
the experience of being there.
Meeting
people in their surroundings and learning about their daily existence guides us
toward more compassion and understanding. When we travel with an open-mind and
open heart, we learn to appreciate that because cultures, beliefs, and
traditions are different, they are not wrong.
We learn new ways of thinking and new ways of approaching problems.
Travel
gives us the opportunity to become part of past, present, and even future
history. From a lighthearted
perspective, my husband and I enjoy seeing places we have visited featured in
the news or movies. It’s fun to say “Hey, we’ve been there!” On a much deeper level, through travel we experience
first-hand what it must have been like to build the Great
Wall of China or the pyramids centuries ago. Standing in the midst of historic sites and
before monuments to our past, such as the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii Washington DC
Travel is an important source of continuing education. A passport filled with stamps from around the world or a journal filled with travel memories at home and abroad is your diploma. Seek out opportunities to be a participant rather than simply a spectator when you travel. As a committed travel foodie, I enjoy learning to prepare exotic new dishes with totally different ingredients and tastes. Some of my favorite souvenirs are recipes shared by hosts in other countries.
Finally,
travel brings us closer together. Whether we travel with a significant other,
close friends or solo and make new friends, shared experiences strengthen
relationships and create memories that bring pleasure, and warm our hearts for
many years go come.
What are
you waiting for? St. Augustine said, “The world is a
book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Don’t stop with one page.
If you’ve always dreamed of walking the colorful streets of Hong
Kong or taking an ocean voyage around the world, don’t wait. If
your 75 year old mother or grandmother wants to see the pyramids, take them. If
your son or daughter wants to surf in Maui ,
find a way to go. If your spouse or significant other wants to run away to Tahiti,
pack your bags. Life is so short and many things we put off until someday or the right time never become realities. Make your travel dreams a
reality and savor the memories forever.
