Why Are You Traveling?
Traveling is accessible worldwide. More and more travelers are reaching the destinations of their dreams and needs.
The travel industry shifted completely over the past decade. I am from the time of when a flight ticket was printed and you would book a hotel by phone or letter. Choices were limited unless you had insight of your destination and your travel agent was your reference for your needs.
Backpacking in the 90’s
I had planned one month in Europe. Arriving in Munich and returning from London. One night hotel booked on my arrival in Munich. That’s all I had!
It took me months of planning, researching, writing to Tourists Centers requesting information about the cities I wanted to visit, waiting and praying for my info material to arrive — by regular mail — before leaving. I also looked for a travel agency to book my flight as there’s no way to do it by myself.
By then, the internet was by phone connection and quite expensive. I had a mobile phone but international calls were not available and I used it mainly as my alarm clock during the trip. Oh, travel guides… Lonely Planet books were the best thing ever written for me.
I was traveling solo.
In each city, on my arrival, the first thing I had to do was to look for the local Tourist Center, get some help booking a hostel, grab a city map and find my way. Every day before sleeping, I would make my next day itinerary, studying the city map to make the best with the time and the locations I wanted to visit.
I met other travelers and locals during the trip. We talked, sometimes grab a bite together, exchanged tips and addresses. No digital photos, so every picture was carefully thought before taken. I would see my pics only after returning home and having the funds for the print.
As accidents happen, I lost a whole film with 36 pictures of Venice.
A few years ago, to be a traveller you would also need geography, navigation and photography skills. If you were traveling solo like me, mental strength to overcome loneliness, shyness and fear was also desirable.
Traveling was meaningful.
Every location was appreciated mindfully as if I you lose one detail, there was no way to recover. For me, it’s still is like this.
And now…
Traveling is so easy to reach that it doesn’t have the consideration it deserves.
If a friend/ acquaintance ask for my opinion related to traveling issues, I am always pleased to help but more and more I feel disappointed when I hear the answer to my primary question: Why are you traveling?
“… To have a stamp on my passport … to post on social media …everybody is going, so I also have to go … if I make lots of flight connections I can say/ post that I have been to these countries, right? …”
I am still trying not to be judgmental, but where is the meaningfulness and value in purposes like these? What are you going to bring back with you?
Once, I posted on social media, a few pics during a trip highlighting the local culture, people, nature and things that impressed me the most about my destination.
Later, an acquaintance of mine went to the same country. Over the next months, dozens of pics were posted on her social media … all-embracing her looks and her shopping spree during the holidays.
I understand that we have different perspectives on traveling. Like any other personal choice, I try not to judge or compare myself to others although I still think that we must make the better in every opportunity we are gifted.
Her trip was restricted to the resort walls, shopping malls and social media pictures. Mine was limitless… I drove all around, got lost, hiked, dove, walked, interacted with locals, visited historic and natural sites, ate like and with locals … connected and embraced my holidays in such a way that added more value to me than the amount spent.
I might be wearing the same clothes on my holiday photos and I may not have been to the trending restaurant everyone is talking about or the fancy pub… it’s okay for me. I know the reason why I travel and that’s enough. I don’t need to travel far either, a road day trip is as special as a vacation in another continent.
Traveling is the best investment in one’s life. No one or nothing can take away from you the experience, the knowledge, and the friends you acquire while traveling.