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What's Your Travel Philosophy?
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin BuberWhat's your travel philosophy? It's a question that many seasoned travelers get asked. Your travel philosophy encompasses your beliefs on travel and the process of leaving home. It is like your mission statement for your trips. There are many to choose from, and depending on your travel style and what you want to get out of your trips, yours could be worlds away from the next person's. Having a travel philosophy is not something you need to have, but more something you intrinsically have without even trying.
Most people travel without much thinking. Not that a certain amount of planning doesn't go into the trip – booking a flight, researching hotels and looking at reviews; however, many people don't stop to think about why they are actually traveling.
When I travel, I'm usually carrying nothing more than a 20-pound backpack and a pair of sunglasses. I enjoy traveling solo to international destinations and places that give me a bit of culture shock. To me, traveling is about being taken out of your comfort zone and growing from the experience. However, if you asked my best friend what travel meant to her, she would be more likely to answer relaxing on a beach with close friends and a strong daiquiri. Additionally, I know other people who travel to learn about history, fashion, food, and medicine or to volunteer, escape, have an adventure, for inspiration, to become healed, to relax or to become closer with their partner. None of these ways of looking at travel is right or wrong, just different.
That's one thing that's so great about travel. Aside from doing illegal activities or being completely inconsiderate, there really is no wrong way to travel. It's all about what you want to get out of the experience. For example, when living with a host family in Ghana, Africa, my favorite part was seeing the locals cook dinner and also attending events like church or a wedding. Of course, I visited the famous sites in the country like the slave castles, cultural centers and national parks; however, it was learning about everyday life that really made me feel like I was in Ghana.
So the big question is, why do you travel? It sounds like such a simple question, although figuring it out is not so easy.
On many past posts about my travels, I've gotten a lot of comments from people who just can't relate to what I'm saying. I've also gotten many comments from people who think a lot like I do. There's nothing wrong with either, as each person's experience differs from another. This is another reason you shouldn't listen to everything other travelers say, as their experiences are in line with their goals. For example, before going to Gimmelwald, an extremely small mountain town in Switzerland, I was asked by another backpacker, "Why would you go there? There's nothing to do." Thankfully I ignored her question, and followed my gut, as the destination is now one of my favorite cities in the world. While some people may find a place that doesn't have nightclubs, restaurants and shops "boring," I found it delightful. I went for picturesque hikes, purchased eggs, cheese and sausage from Erica, the town's "egg and cheese lady" and bonded with new friends over red wine and games of Jenga. It opened my eyes up to a simpler way of life.
That's why I travel. I'm not saying I had a revelation that I should leave my home city of New York and move to a small town in the mountains; however, I did discover a new way of life. For me, it's about learning new things, exploring new landscapes and becoming more and more a citizen of the world.
I've found that as I've gotten older, my travel philosophy has changed. When I was younger, even in my teenage years, I was obsessed with amusement parks. Every trip my family planned revolved around what roller coaster looked the scariest and which theme park had the newest rides. As I got older, I started to enjoy cruises and all-inclusive resorts, because I found them relaxing and a way to let loose and have fun without having to worry about money. It wasn't until I studied abroad in Sydney that I began to view travel as more of a growing experience. When in Australia, I barely ever sat still, but instead used every free moment to explore the country, interact with locals and learn new things. That is the trip that really cemented my backpacker style of trying to travel close to the ground and immerse myself in local cultures.
What's your travel philosophy?
[flickr image via jbachman01]
That's one thing that's so great about travel. Aside from doing illegal activities or being completely inconsiderate, there really is no wrong way to travel. It's all about what you want to get out of the experience. For example, when living with a host family in Ghana, Africa, my favorite part was seeing the locals cook dinner and also attending events like church or a wedding. Of course, I visited the famous sites in the country like the slave castles, cultural centers and national parks; however, it was learning about everyday life that really made me feel like I was in Ghana.
So the big question is, why do you travel? It sounds like such a simple question, although figuring it out is not so easy.
On many past posts about my travels, I've gotten a lot of comments from people who just can't relate to what I'm saying. I've also gotten many comments from people who think a lot like I do. There's nothing wrong with either, as each person's experience differs from another. This is another reason you shouldn't listen to everything other travelers say, as their experiences are in line with their goals. For example, before going to Gimmelwald, an extremely small mountain town in Switzerland, I was asked by another backpacker, "Why would you go there? There's nothing to do." Thankfully I ignored her question, and followed my gut, as the destination is now one of my favorite cities in the world. While some people may find a place that doesn't have nightclubs, restaurants and shops "boring," I found it delightful. I went for picturesque hikes, purchased eggs, cheese and sausage from Erica, the town's "egg and cheese lady" and bonded with new friends over red wine and games of Jenga. It opened my eyes up to a simpler way of life.
That's why I travel. I'm not saying I had a revelation that I should leave my home city of New York and move to a small town in the mountains; however, I did discover a new way of life. For me, it's about learning new things, exploring new landscapes and becoming more and more a citizen of the world.
I've found that as I've gotten older, my travel philosophy has changed. When I was younger, even in my teenage years, I was obsessed with amusement parks. Every trip my family planned revolved around what roller coaster looked the scariest and which theme park had the newest rides. As I got older, I started to enjoy cruises and all-inclusive resorts, because I found them relaxing and a way to let loose and have fun without having to worry about money. It wasn't until I studied abroad in Sydney that I began to view travel as more of a growing experience. When in Australia, I barely ever sat still, but instead used every free moment to explore the country, interact with locals and learn new things. That is the trip that really cemented my backpacker style of trying to travel close to the ground and immerse myself in local cultures.
What's your travel philosophy?
[flickr image via jbachman01]
Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Stories, Budget Travel, Luxury Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Judith Siess May 6th 2012 11:13PM
I used to travel for business (giving workshops to librarians) and got to see a lot of places: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Spain, England, and lots of places in the USA and Canada.
Now I travel to see all the places I've read about in books. We've been on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest and to the Mayan site Tikal in Guatemala. Next up is Ireland.
Secret Asian Man May 7th 2012 4:40AM
To me, traveling is about experiencing new things or do things differently. It's also a learning experience that each trip should allow you to learn and understand not just about others but also yourself.
During my travels, I learned a few things myself and develop some personal lessons, observations, and philosophies. Here are a few:
- Travel light. Pretty much any experienced traveler will tell you that yet it still can't be stressed enough. You don't want excess baggage. Literally and figuratively. Travel only with the essentials and use them efficiently. If you need help carrying it, ask yourself if you really need it.
- You can never plan too much but your plans must be flexible. Plan for the little details that make your trip that much better and let adventure handle the big stuff. On my last trip to DC, I spent considerable efforts to pick the right hotel that is close to the Mall and between two or three subway lines, bought a 7 day Metro pass, and made reservations to meet my Senator, visit Pentagon, Washington Monument, and White House. But between those key visits, I simply explored and let random curiosities take me to other places to see, eat, and do.
- Don't always rely on GPS, maps, and guides. Once you get the general layout of an area, don't be afraid to try a different path as you return to your hotel each day. You'll often discover interesting things you would've missed if you take the same path every time.
- Try not to do things you can do at home. I hate when my friends and families travel only to eat and shop at places that are available at home. It makes no sense to me.
- Never underestimate or look down on the idea of traveling alone. Everyone should do it at least once. Go somewhere you've never been to without your friends or family. Of course, only do it in safe destinations and you can still make new local friends or join groups.
- Be curious.
- Sometimes, try being someone else. It's a hoot. You are at a different place, be different. Pretend you're someone else for a day. Again, for my trip to DC, I chose to wear my fancier clothes to the airport so that I don't have to pack it in my carry-on. I don't know what it was, but the check-in attendant made small talk asking, "They're sending you on another business trip, huh?" I just went with it and told her I was a photojournalist commissioned by a local magazine to cover the Cherry Blossom Festival. It's not far from the truth since I am an amateur hobbyist photographer and I did have my gear.