Wanderlust: nounA strong desire to travel.

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always loved to travel, I was blessed to be able to spend a large amount of my childhood enjoying the beaches of Mexico and I believe that to be one of the contributing factors to my wanderlust. There’s nothing like the thought of the ocean waves caressing the beach or the shadows of the clouds as they sit over the valleys of Poland. The world we live in is such a beautiful place and I have a craving to see it and experience it all. Imagine the world’s greatest dessert and having one bite-- well that just won't suffice!

Every time I get on an airplane to go on an adventure I feel like a little girl again-- everything seems so new and exciting, like the roar of the engine coming to life right before takeoff. There’s nothing like the success of getting the window seat. Some people hate the day of travel, but I love it. From TSA to airport snacks, it’s an adventure all its own. In actuality, while traveling to an adventure is fun, it’s really the anticipation of the long-awaited trip.

From the moment the plane touches down and people start clapping (apparently that’s catching on in domestic flights in America?) it’s a mad rush to start doing everything. I remember being little and getting off the plane in Mexico -- the humidity would hit me and my curly hair would become ringlets, I’d inhale a deep breath of fresh air and smile. “It smells like Mexico!” I would excitedly tell my parents each and every time. Even thinking about it brings a smile to my face and a flood of memories. That’s what travel does, it gives you memories, something to think back on and fill your heart with joy.

When it rains, I think about walking through Pikes Place Market in Seattle while it poured, and snow brings back memories of going up to the mountains skiing (because sometimes the best vacations are in our own backyards) or dog sledding in Alaska, warm summer days make me miss the beaches of Tel Aviv and the sweet taste of Israel’s iced coffee.

I reminisce over all the places I’ve been able to visit, some ordinary and others extraordinary and I feel so fortunate to have experienced different cultures, people, and the beauty of those places. Whenever you go someplace there’s so much to gain. It changes who you are and broadens your scope of life, and you walk away with a greater appreciation of that which is the majesty of the world.

Someday I hope to travel near and far, see and take in everything that I possibly can, and I can’t wait for that day. Until then, I’ll save my pennies and plan my next trip. Wherever I go I will continue to live by the motto that they taught us at camp, “Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.”

Bon Voyage, my friends!