This is for the girl who is afraid to travel. The one that looks at exotic pictures of travel bloggers on their Instafeed and think, "that could never be me." I have heard your reasons over and over again. They are shouted, whispered, and mumbled when I recount my stories near you. In your eyes I'm this brave creature; this untamed soul. I'm fearless, jumping on a plane to a country where I don't speak the language, and you- "you couldn't do that because the world is a scary place."
I'm here to tell you that the world is frightening and at times unbelievably heartbreaking. I don't buy tickets to places that are a thousand miles away without my heart skipping a beat or two. For I know that the most certain thing about travel is to expect the unexpected. In fact, as I waited to board my plane to Lima, Peru last summer I sent a series of text messages to family and friends that literally sounded like an ode to my final goodbye. I had no idea if I'd have wifi connection, if my travel partner was reliable, if the plan I'd laid out was suitable. I was gripped by the fear of the unknown. To the girl who's afraid to travel- this fear happens to even the most experienced frequent flyers.
I know for me, what makes me stand up and get in line when the airport staff calls my boarding section, is that even my backyard holds dangers. I could go outside and be bitten by a water moccasin or struck by lightening in a storm. Driving my car on a familiar back road has its own risk. I've just become so used to my surroundings that I'm practically sleeping through the calculated risks of the day. To the girl who's afraid to travel- arriving in a new country like waking up.
You'll be scared, because for the first time in a long time you'll actually be aware. You'll notice the big stuff first, the buildings, the clothes, the accents, but also the minute details. The small bumps in the road while riding in a taxi to your hotel. The dark haired man lingering at the crosswalk. The way the water takes a few seconds to come out of the faucet. How you have the habit of sliding your hand on your pant thigh. To the girl who's afraid to travel- this newfound sense doesn't disappear when you arrive back home.
I know what you see on the news. I know the terror flashed on the screen, but don't let that be the only world you know. Go to France and stand under the Eiffel Tower. Go to Israel and float in the Dead Sea. Attend a Holi Festival in India. Walk the Great Wall of China. I promise if you do the right research and stay appropriately cautious this big and scary world will reward you in abundance. To the girl who's afraid to travel- you can do it and it's worth the risk.
