“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” Terry Pratchett
I love to travel, I love to meet new people, see new things, experience new cultures. I am curious about everything, and excitable. I have never become jaded…I seek that thrill, that little something extra which waits around the corner. I realize that not everyone is a traveler, but you don’t have to go far to find some adventure or a new outlook!
1. Adventure takes you out of your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is…comforting, but it does not give you the opportunity to stretch yourself, to grow. It is important to challenge yourself, see something new. When you step out you achieve something…instead of stagnating you are moving, you are active. (Your comfort zone really does not exist, you know. It is a comforting illusion.)
2. Adventure can help you conquer your fears. It doesn’t have to be a big adventure. Afraid of water? Learn to swim! Afraid of heights? Climb a hill, or better yet, go to a vista point at the nearest national park. Fear is paralyzing…so get up and move. If not now, when?
3. Adventure introduces you to new people, or at least gets you out of your zone so you can observe active, adventurous, or different people! Head to the nearest lake and watch boaters, paddle boarders, kayakers, picnickers! Have you ever gone on a hike? How about to an art museum? I live in Dallas, and haven’t been to the Perot Museum yet! Shame on me.
4. Adventure introduces you to different cultures and new perspectives. The culture you live in isn’t the only one, you know! Ever thought about doing volunteer travel, especially abroad? These trips are not expensive, and you usually get all of your meals plus a place to stay. Airfare is reasonable to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and many other places. Volunteer travels can be eye opening and have a major impact on your life by showing you how others live, think, and do things. These volunteer trips are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. I went on a volunteer holiday to Tofo, Mozambique in 2012, and I can tell you I learned more than I thought I possibly could, not only about Africa, but about myself. In September I’m volunteering in Ecuador, photographing manta rays for identification and study. I am so looking forward to it! There are trips for every taste, be it teaching children or diving or digging wells or teaching people skills for making a living. There are many ways to make a difference!
5. Adventuring can be a little scary, and that’s a good reason to do it! We fear what we don’t understand. Travel can educate you and make you see the world in an entirely different way. It challenges you to learn about yourself, to learn the history of other countries or peoples, and learning to understand, even if you don’t agree, is the path to knowledge, and hopefully, wisdom.
There are many ways to challenge your mind, body, ideas, and abilities. I have often traveled alone, but traveling alone to Mozambique was a completely empowering experience for me. I blogged about the trip in my blog categories Adventures in Mozambique and Dive Adventures in Tofo, Mozambique. Sometimes one sees things that are terribly upsetting, on my travels, and at home, I have learned how cruel the world can be. Everything is not always rosy, especially in the developing world. But there is beauty too…when you look. It opened my eyes, and also gave me confidence that I could achieve and go and do whatever I wanted to. Maybe a little travel, even if it is just an hour away, can do that for you as well.
My cousin in Ohio told me once that he had never been west of Indiana. He had no interest, he said, what else is there to see, what’s the point? I stood with my jaw hanging open, because I really was confounded. What else is there to see? An entire world, that’s what! If you are reading this blog, you must enjoy traveling, or want to travel, so I’m sure you can understand my complete astonishment! I think Mark Twain said it best:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
I have some favorite volunteer travel agents and agencies such as All Out Africa, Kaya Responsible Travel, the Giving Lens (a great volunteer program for photographers)….there are just so many! Get out there on Google and google away! Start by googling this: adult volunteer travel programs. Why not see the world and make a difference at the same time?
WendysHat
Fun! I agree. I love to travel and have adventure in my life.
Tam Warner
There’s nothing better!
Ruth Curran
I am so with you this one Tam! Move out of your comfort zone and promote greater understanding by living through someone else’s view… Travel opens your eyes, your world, and your heart and volunteer travel allows you to leave where ever you go a bit better and richer!
Tam Warner
Well said, Ruth. My view exactly.
b+ (Retire in Style Blog)
AMEN! I am going to note the quotes…they added so much. While I am not “too” adventurous, I do know that I return home each time we travel with a new outlook. I am never quite the same. Ever been to Sapa Vietnam? Go. You will love it.
b+ (Retire in Style Blog) recently posted…Aging: Are They Afraid They Will Look Like You?
Tam Warner
I recently went to Thailand and Myanmar to dive, volunteer with elephants, and soak in the culture. I’d love to go back and spend a month touring southeast asia!
Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs
This is fabulous, Tam. I tell myself I can’t travel because of a tight budget, but I do keep hearing that volunteer traveling is the way to go. I’d love to see a series (or lengthy post) from you and/or Ruth on EXACTLY how to find those opportunities and do all that can be done to get as much paid for as possible or at the cheapest price possible. I want to do it!
(And regarding swimming, I took lessons at 40. Need to re-take them though as I didn’t stick with it.)
Thoughtful, inspirational post! Thank you!
PS: I *love* your quote from your grandfather that you left on my post this morning. 😀
Lisa @ Grandma’s Briefs recently posted…The know-it-all grandma and her acts of ignorance
Tam Warner
Thank you, Lisa! I do have some posts about my experience, but thanks for the idea about how to find those opps. It’s really just research, research, research….google, google! Then of course, call and TALK to the people, and be sure you know what is involved. I also look on flickr when I have interest in a place. LOL, Randy’s grandpa was quite the character!
Carol Cassara
I love your ‘tude and share a good bit of it. Your travels always interest me and especially when they suggest a way I might step further out.
Carol Cassara recently posted…Does pretty taste better?
Tam Warner
Love your ‘tude too! I always think it’s a great idea to get moving!
Cindy
In our own culture, we walk around with glasses, seeing things in blue and everyone around does too. Then we go to a place where people were yellow glasses, and it seems so foreign to us ! After a while we start understanding and we go home seeing things in green !
Cindy recently posted…Top 10 bizarre sharks you’ve (probably) never heard about
Karen
I’ve had fewer opportunities to travel than I would wish, but I completely agree with you that travel is a wonderful way to broaden one’s horizons. I love looking at shots from your trips–so inspiring!
Karen recently posted…Scotland the Brave!
Tina Boomerina
Hi Tam,
You sound like a kindred spirit, so I pinned this article onto a friend’s board. I had to do it under a friend’s name (Ramona) because I’m having issues with my account. When it’s straightened out, I’ll pin to some better boards.
Oh… I found your blog through some G+ group. Nice to “meet” you.
Cheers,
Tina Boomerina – Baby Boomer Chick
Tina Boomerina
Oh silly me… here’s the link:
http://www.pinterest.com/Brittmunk/travel-group/
It’s my daughter’s board. I’m not Ramona. I’m using a friend’s account because I’m going through Pinterest withdrawals until I straighten this out.
Tina
Carole
Impressive 🙂 I wouldn’t travel alone so I’m impressed 🙂
Carole recently posted…L’Afrique Australe en voyage organisé : horreur, malheur ?
Tam Warner
Why not? It’s a great feeling~