Travel is one of my true loves. I caught the travel bug when travel became a part of my career. My first overseas assignment was a week in Thailand. This trip can only be described by the word "whirlwind".- hour days at the office, followed up by dinner engagements every night. I didn't get to see Bangkok at all so I decided to take the following Monday off work and stay for the long weekend. Those three days changed my life. Suddenly I was hooked on seeing new places.
Since then I have been lucky enough to travel a lot. Africa, Europe, Asia, I've spent significant amounts of time in all continents. The Americas are still on my list, but the more I travel, the longer my list gets. We have such a short life, there is so much to see.
Pretty early in the piece I realised that travel meant memories. When I understood this, I realised there were three things you needed to pack, to ensure you kept your memories for ever. So a camera, a travel diary and a pen were always the first three things I packed. I have been rewarded for my foresight. My walls are now adorned with my favorite photos of places I've been, people I've met and all those special moments. And whenever I am in the mood to reminisce, I pick up one of my journals and read. The prose isn't 100% refined, but ahhh, the memories.
I've changed as a person from my journeys. My mind has been opened to the wondrous array of diversity, which the world has to offer. I am now a more accepting, calm, tolerant person. I understand different is nothing to fear, or be suspicious of, its just different. It is there to be learned about, understood and enjoyed.
Then there are the people I've met on the way. In accepting their hospitality, their customs and generosity, my heart has been opened. Sure, they may have a different way of doing things, a different way of interpreting events, they are just people though, people like you and I. In learning to accept them without prejudice, my capacity for love and tolerance increased immensely.
In recognizing how blessed I have been with my opportunities to travel and how much personal growth I have enjoyed from those experiences, I also acknowledge not everyone is as fortunate as I. Not everyone has the opportunity to witness and experience the diversity the world has to offer. Not everyone can afford to travel and meet people of remarkably different background to their own. This is why I write about my experiences. In sharing the things I have seen, experienced and learned, perhaps I can help other people open their minds and hearts also.
If you are traveler too, why don't you share your experiences. We can all learn from each other. I am sure the world will be a better place if you share the things you have picked up along the way.
Since then I have been lucky enough to travel a lot. Africa, Europe, Asia, I've spent significant amounts of time in all continents. The Americas are still on my list, but the more I travel, the longer my list gets. We have such a short life, there is so much to see.
Pretty early in the piece I realised that travel meant memories. When I understood this, I realised there were three things you needed to pack, to ensure you kept your memories for ever. So a camera, a travel diary and a pen were always the first three things I packed. I have been rewarded for my foresight. My walls are now adorned with my favorite photos of places I've been, people I've met and all those special moments. And whenever I am in the mood to reminisce, I pick up one of my journals and read. The prose isn't 100% refined, but ahhh, the memories.
I've changed as a person from my journeys. My mind has been opened to the wondrous array of diversity, which the world has to offer. I am now a more accepting, calm, tolerant person. I understand different is nothing to fear, or be suspicious of, its just different. It is there to be learned about, understood and enjoyed.
Then there are the people I've met on the way. In accepting their hospitality, their customs and generosity, my heart has been opened. Sure, they may have a different way of doing things, a different way of interpreting events, they are just people though, people like you and I. In learning to accept them without prejudice, my capacity for love and tolerance increased immensely.
In recognizing how blessed I have been with my opportunities to travel and how much personal growth I have enjoyed from those experiences, I also acknowledge not everyone is as fortunate as I. Not everyone has the opportunity to witness and experience the diversity the world has to offer. Not everyone can afford to travel and meet people of remarkably different background to their own. This is why I write about my experiences. In sharing the things I have seen, experienced and learned, perhaps I can help other people open their minds and hearts also.
If you are traveler too, why don't you share your experiences. We can all learn from each other. I am sure the world will be a better place if you share the things you have picked up along the way.
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