Need an Excuse to Travel?
Just the quickest of mot-drops here this morning – an elaborate infographic that sums up some of the many benefits of stepping outside your cozy domestic comfort zone, and taking a peek at the vast expanse of the rest of our Planet.
Now I’m not saying that my many travels have necessarily raised my IQ (which in rare moments seems brilliant, whereas more often would seem to be in the toilet). But I would argue that my travels have most certainly – indeed, couldn’t help but – make me far more AWARE of the many different ways that people live (and thus more compassionate and more tolerant, at the very least).
Furthermore – learning first-hand about varying customs, values, and educational, health care, political, etc. systems throughout the world can be a significant eye-opener. While I’m forever grateful for (the utter fluke) of having been born in the United States – traveling to far-flung corners of the globe has given me a great respect for alternative ways of living.
| P.S. And btw, do note that you needn’t pack up and permanently move yourself to the other side of the globe (like some crazy old lass that I uh, know) to enjoy these benefits. Just a matter of choosing to travel a bit outside the usual cruise holiday or guided group tour, and get yourself a street or three off the well-trod tourist path. |
Infographic image: www.worktheworld.com
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
Pinning! Travel around the US has these benefits too!
Yes indeed, Lisa – the U.S. is mighty diverse to be sure (I’ve personally long remained in awe of both southern Utah, and the entire state of Alaska is surely in a class by itself). So too, the Oregon coast (one of five U.S.. locales I’ve lived) is, imho pretty much the most beautiful in the entire World (this, from a lass who’s been lucky enough to experience the coastal gems of Greece, Vietnam, southern Thailand, Australia, Easter Island in Chile, those luscious Galapagos isles, et al). And the cultural difference between say… Fargo, North Dakota and NYC? Truly night and day.
But I think the point here is to jump out of the comfy cocoon of each our native lands and head to international corners that offer more significant challenges – especially language (lol, those southern U.S. y’alls don’t count!) 😉 Along with coping with/adapting to new cultures, customs, far different daily diets (e.g. no frozen Tyson chicken strips – roasted crickets, anyone?), etc.
In short, visiting/moving from Seattle to say Colorado doesn’t really test your mettle. And even cruise travel and/or severely restricted group travel (where you’re herded from one 4-5 star hotel to another, and stay strictly on the well-worn tourist track) isn’t a formula for personal growth. That takes traveling (and especially living) in (delightful nutso, it must be said) places like Ho Chi Minh City (with its 4 MILLION motorbikes and folks serving (delicious!) pho from the curb.
Not only does travel make you smarter, it can slow the aging process too. Those cognitive skills that your post referred to used in learning a new language as well as the non-verbal communication and solving the various conundrums that crop up as you traipse across a foreign country keep you sharp-witted rather than stuck in the same-ole routines. Another benefit I especially enjoy (that also helps as we age) is the strong community ties we’ve formed with travelers and expats as we’ve traveled, including online friends like you, Dyanne!
‘Tis true, ’tis so true, Anita – the many daily challenges (on top of reprogramming your brain to learn a foreign language at age 6-Oh+) surely keeps you on your toes. And yes too – the ties with fellow wanderlusts (who like it or not, come and go, for that’s what we do, yes?) likewise keeps us arguably “forever young”. Even the (for now) “virtual” fellow nomads that we’ve yet to meet personally – which I hope to one day remedy.
I don’t suppose… you two are planning to be anywhere in Eastern Europe come Sept/Oct?
We’ve actually talked about a visit to Eastern Europe (haven’t even picked out a country yet) this fall after we spend some time in the US visiting friends and fam. Once your plans are in place give us a shout – maybe we can do a meet up on this continent since our last one in Ecuador fell through! Anita
Splendid! I’ve been all over the map (literally!) planning my attack on the Balkans and Turkey (e.g. starting initially from Athens – island hopping to Turkey seemed like fun; but then changed to starting in Venice with an easy jump to Slovenia and then south, but I’ve already been to Venice and it’s exceedingly pricey; so now I believe I’m settling on starting in Munich, then dropping swiftly down to Slovenia and onward…) I’ve variously penciled in anywhere from 6 to 11(!) different countries over a month or more so hey…
I am nothing if not flexible so anything you might have in mind for a rendezvous corner – September/October is on the table, Anita. 😉
I’ll let you know. Travel research, planning and anticipation are great, aren’t they?
Dyanne, am I correct that you were travelling outside of South America when the recent earthquakes hit Ecuador? Did your hometown escape major damage? With every best wish, Leslie
Thanks for thinking of me Leslie, but no – I was tucked in here on this mountain top in the south of Ecuador, and while we did indeed feel quite a goodly sway – the worst of it was primarily the northern coast that has been devastated, with more than 400 dead and thousands injured/homeless. ;(
But I must say – though I’ve experienced earthquakes in other parts of the globe (California of course, but also Seattle and Costa Rica) – it is seriously sobering when your apartment is swaying to and fro – atop EIGHT THOUSAND feet of sheer rock. Truly gets your attention and makes you realize the astounding POWER of a 7.8 quake!
I am so glad that the earthquake’s devastation did not harm you directly. It has been impossible to get accurate information here on its specific geographical scope, and several sources indicated that it had decimated virtually all of Ecuador. We are working with several international aid organizations to assist with rescue and recovery. Also living in the Pacific Rim, Leslie
Really? “virtually ALL of Ecuador”? Oh dear. Dang the media. Not good for EC tourism (at a time when they can use every blessed extra cent for quake relief). ;(
Nope, the Galapagos for example (admittedly 800 miles off the coast) were untouched. But also little damage in Quito, and none here in Cuenca. Indeed, even many of the coastal beaches like Salinas, etc. were untouched.
And while the devastation (and especially the destruction of roads into the worst hit rural areas) was extremely serious – it’s actually quite amazing that the damage was not more widespread.
Good for you for supporting the recovery efforts. One such non-profit org that’s been well vetted (and where I’ve donated) is the Cinterandes mobile surgical unit here in Ecuador. They’re volunteer surgeons that have the skill and the resources (a fully equipped mobile surgical unit so they can zip around to there they’re most needed).
A fellow Cuenca expat has set up a GoFundMe page for them, and I urge all to donate even a small amount – it will go a long way to helping directly where medical aid is needed most.
https://www.gofundme.com/ecuadorianquake
Thank you for your update and your link to Team Cinterandes. So far, we have focused on supporting what Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Oxfam, and Heifer International are doing in-country in response to the earthquake. Based on what you wrote about Team Cinterandes and our quick research, we will put it at the top of that list since it has a staffed and fully-equipped mobile surgical unit there. (MSF has taught us how incredibly valuable such a unit can be.)
As a solo traveler and new resident of Mexico, I can agree with all of it! Thanks, Dyanne, for putting this info together in one great graphic–I want to share it with a couple of friends.
Glad you like the infographic, Kate, but I didn’t create it. As noted at the base of the image, it was handily created by the folks at WorktheWorld.com
Congrats on the move to Mexico! Where exactly have you put down anchor?
Hi Dyanne,
You’ll appreciate this I’m sure 🙂 !
I once spent a week (on my own) in the Omani desert with people who ‘sort of’ still lived in the desert (big tents and carpets and they even managed to hook up a self made shower) Anyway…. the sons of the family (around 15, 16) found me way cool that I would abandon the Western life and preferred their way of life…
Anyway… after a trek through the desert on camels on my own (not for the faint hearted I might add well , there was this German couple, but they had enough of the heat and the solitude so they left) we were sitting by the campfire at night and I could see that they were ‘ struggling’ with a question they want to ask.
So out it came ..” You know one of those blond girls that “you guys” have ? Well..how..how..much do they cost ? Eh..they are not for sale ,I said, they are free. FREE !? they replied…but how can you prevent them from running away ..?!
Well..I said..you just have to do your best and hope that they will stay with you.. (big eyes all around) And, I continued, if they do decide to go away and you haven’t been nice to them , it could well be that you would have to pay them money for a long time. And that’s even the law where I come from…
Even bigger eyes.
The rest of the evening was spent in silent disillusionment and bewilderment and I event thought they felt a little bit sorry for me.
How is that for a culture shock ! 🙂
Yup Dick, a perfect example of sharing each our native land customs as we move about the globe. It can’t help but promote greater understanding and narrow the gap between “us” and “them”.
As we roam, we are each mini ambassadors after all. And while I don’t necessarily agree with some of the customs of some cultures, I honestly don’t believe that any one culture (including my own) is the one and *only* way to live.