Category: Travel Quote

Travel Quote Series: The Who Factor

2/10/2015

“As with any journey, who you travel with can be more important than your destination.” - Unknown

Trekking halfway across the world is no small feat! You pour in your time and money to plan this amazing experience and you always want the ideal situation: no hiccups, no glitches, no missing luggage or room reservations, and no drama from your travel companion.

I think one of the worst things in the world is to save up and look forward to a big exciting moment, only to have something you can’t change ruin it. Attitude is everything, especially in situations where things aren’t going as planned. It helps if the person you’re traveling with can help you roll with the punches rather than be a source of them. This is why I’ve said that choosing the right travel partner (or partners) is key! Once you’re on that plane, you’re essentially joined at the hip with whomever you’ve chosen to go on this adventure with you.

Not only do you want a drama-free experience, but you also want to be able to revel together in the incredibility of it all. It’s important to be on the same page with the people you travel with. You want to be able to relate in the novelty of the adventure you’re on together. A great travel partner will share in the awe of being there. They may contribute some thought provoking conversation about the places you’re visiting, or just stare in silent wonder along with you. They will be in those moments with you, taking it all in with true appreciation.

There is something about getting away from home that brings out a different side to us. The best part about traveling with the right people is that you’ll come away from the trip with a better sense of who they, and you, truly are.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please share below.

Travel Quote Series: The Dollar Distraction

2/10/2015

“Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage.” – Paulo Coelho

The truth of this quote can be lost it the hyperbole. Of course travel takes money – not as much as people assume sometimes, but it costs nonetheless. I believe the true sentiment here is that if someone has the courage and the will to do something, it can be done.

We can do what we decide we will do. It does not matter how difficult it may appear to be from the outside. It does not matter how many others have tried and failed. It does not matter what it will cost in time, money, resources, effort, or sacrifice. If a person truly wants something – and I mean absolutely irrevocably wants something - they will find a way to get it. It’s the way of the human spirit. There is something in us that won’t rest until we’ve attained it.

Now you may be saying, “But I’ve been there and it didn’t work for me – I wanted something so bad, but I just didn’t have the means to get it….” To that I’d venture to guess that you were afraid of something. Maybe the result of actually getting that thing you wanted would put you out of your comfort zone. Maybe you would have to give up a habit that you’ve grown attached to in order to achieve that goal. Maybe the thought of failing consumed you to the point where all you could visualize was the embarrassment that would follow. Break it down – fear will be at the core of why that thing you wanted did not materialize.

Fear is the only thing that prevents us from actually getting what we want for our lives. When it comes to travel, the fear may be the flying part, or the foreign language part, or the asking for help part. A big obstacle for many of us is our job. Maybe the money you make at work can barely pay your bills - this is a real challenge, but there are still opportunities for travel with charity organizations, foreign exchange work programs, or even personal networking. Maybe you don't have the vacation days to take – plan a trip for a holiday/long weekend, or check if your company offers a leave program. Or if your job is truly holding you back from the adventurous life that you want, consider saving up for a career change and take a sabbatical in between (I'll fill you in on how I did it in another post).

The excuses are endless, but so are the solutions! Just ask yourself what you really want and then keep challenging yourself to honestly answer this question: Why not?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please share below.

Travel Quote Series: The Misunderstood Escapist

2/10/2015

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

You’re an adult now. School is out. You’re living an independent lifestyle, away from family perhaps, or rooming with friends. You’ve got your first real job, maybe at a high-rise in town. Or maybe you’ve been in the game for a few years…or 10. You’re holding it down with a mortgage and family life knocking at your door. You think your clock is ticking and it’s time to move onto the next proper phase in life. No matter your situation at this moment, you may have heard some of this helpful advice along the way:

“Pay your dues, get in line, and go after the American Dream.”

“If your job is tough, suck it up. No one “loves” their work.”

“Put down some roots and start a family before your window of opportunity passes.”

“If you’re feeling a little restless and like you don’t belong in this rat race called life, there are pills for that.”

Right…helpful.

There is an annoyingly permeating belief that wanderers, or those who strive to always be “anywhere but here” are just trying to escape their responsibilities, their jobs, their lives. The assumption is that they just can’t handle real life and grown up obligations.

The truth is there are simply different types of people in this world. Some seek security and a more rooted life – either out of innate desire or a respectable sense of duty to themselves or their family. Others seek novelty and a less rooted life – either out of innate desire or a respectable sense of duty to themselves or their family. Different goals, same drives - both valid.

The travelers, the wanderers, the free-spirited risk takers – and those of us who are wondering if we are – we are not escapists for the sake of dodging reality. We are escapists of a “reality” that doesn’t quite fit us. If you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance that you’re leaning toward the way of the novelty seekers. I have no doubt that for us, incredible experiences are just waiting to happen. It’s a matter of choosing to go where life can take us.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please share below.

Travel Quote Series: The Who Factor

Travel Quote Series: The Dollar Distraction

Travel Quote Series: The Misunderstood Escapist

Mel

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