Travel

Travel is the Best Gift of All

Travel is definitely one of the most valuable gifts that anyone can give to themselves

I hopped on a plane heading for South Africa after earning a degree in Structural Engineering. I landed in Johannesburg with a bag, an open-ended year-long ticket, and an ambiguous intention to wander across Africa until my money ran out.

It would be an understatement to say that I fell in love with the continent of Africa. It’s obviously home! Everything seemed perfect: cuisine, environment, scenery, and culture.

In recent years, I have been blessed to travel to amazing places and see beautiful sights across Africa. I’m thankful for the experiences and the chance to see new places too, places like the Salar de Uyuni, where one inch of precipitation perfectly reflects the sky, Victoria Falls, Iguazu Falls, the African Savannah, Petra, Zanzibar, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat and more.

I may never revisit these places, but I will vividly remember them till my dying day.

Appreciative of the Experience and Memories I have made while travelling

I cannot help but be grateful for all of the experiences I have had while travelling. I have been so lucky to be able to travel as much as I have, visiting wondrous places and meeting incredible people.

Each place has been unique and special in its own way and has left me with cherished memories that I will treasure forever. I have loved exploring new cultures and learning about different ways of life. I am so appreciative of all that I have seen and done while travelling, whether it is;

• Searching for the Big 7 in South Africa
• Visiting the Devil’s Pool in Zambia
• Bush Fire Music festival in Swaziland
• Watching the Greatest Wildlife Crossing Show in Kenya

I am grateful for the opportunities to learn about different cultures and ways of life. Seeing how other people live has opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity of our world. It has also taught me a lot about myself and what is important to me. I am sounder for having experienced all I have while travelling.

Travel has been one of the best things ever to happen to me. I am also grateful for the lessons I have learned while travelling. I have learned about myself, others, and the world around me. These lessons have helped me grow and develop, making me a better person.

Grateful for the People I have Met while on my Adventures

I once sat next to an emergency room nurse. She was so funny!

“I bet you have some amazing stories,” I said to her.

“You wouldn’t believe the things people push into their rectum”, she responded.

I was laughing so hard that by the time I stepped off the plane, my cheeks ached.

I am especially appreciative of the people I have met while travelling. I have met so many kind, fascinating people from all over the world. Each person has enriched my life in some way, and I am genuinely grateful for that. I would not be the same without having met all the wonderful people I have met while travelling.

Each new place I visit brings with it a new adventure. And no matter how often I tell myself that I’m not a “people person,” I always find myself making friends with locals and other travellers. Even when things don’t go as planned like delayed flights or getting lost in unfamiliar cities — there’s always an element of excitement and discovery.

Thankful for the New Perspective Travelling has Given me

When I started out travelling, I was nervous and excited about all the new places I would see and the people I would meet. But I had no idea just how much the journeys would impact me. I would never have thought that taking a trip could change my life so much, and I can’t believe how much my perspective has changed.

And with each new place, I visit, my perspective shifts and expands. I’m grateful for the gift of travel because it has allowed me to see firsthand how beautiful and diverse our world is.

Everywhere I go, I’m struck by the beauty of the world and the kindness of its people. I’ve seen ancient ruins and natural wonders that have taken my breath away. And I’ve met many incredible people, each with their own stories. Through it all, I’ve come to appreciate just how interconnected we all are. We may come from different cultures and speak different languages, but at the end of the day, we all share the same planet. And that’s something to be thankful for.

Proud of Myself for being able to Navigate New Places & Cultures

When I was younger, I used to dream about travelling the world. I would pore over maps and plan the places I wanted to see. I even decided to have a map tattoo. UuUUHHH!!! Which I did.

One day, I could visit a few if I was lucky, I always thought. But now, looking back, I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to have been able to travel as much as I have.

I grew up in a small town, but my parents exposed me to different cultures through travel. As a result, I developed an early appreciation for diversity and a curiosity about the world. I’ve always been an adventurer, and I’m proud of myself for being able to navigate new places and cultures.

I’m not the type of person who needs everything to be familiar to feel comfortable; I thrive on novelty and change. As a result, I’ve been able to travel to amazing places and meet incredible people. Each new place I visit teaches me something new about the world, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to broaden my horizons. I know that my ability to navigate new places and cultures will continue to serve me well in the future, and I can’t wait to see what else the world has in store for me.

In conclusion, travel is definitely one of the most valuable gifts that anyone can give themselves — it opens your eyes so you can see things in a whole new light, it brings together diverse people who can impact your life, and travel also allows you access to unique experiences which are practically non-existent at home!

Everyone should experience the joys of travel because it can be such an enriching experience. Travel has helped me see that our differences make us unique and special, giving us an opportunity for unique experiences that we wouldn’t be likely to get otherwise in our everyday life.

Whether visiting ancient ruins or experiencing some unusual cuisine for the first time, travelling offers an array of experiences that are impossible to find at home.

Ultimately, it’s only through experiencing them ourselves that we truly appreciate just how special these trips really are. We can enrich our lives in countless ways by taking advantage of all the opportunities travel provides.

There are also times when travel can be challenging. But even on the toughest days, I know that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to explore this amazing world of ours.

For that, I will forever be grateful.

Thank you, Globetrotters for this incredible monthly challenge. I enjoyed writing and sharing with you all.