Travel, a word that is used so often that the real meaning behind it can be so overlooked. Just like anything else, many people interpret or think of certain things in a different way. For myself, travel is more than just seeing the touristy sites, eating good food or getting that destination Instagram worthy picture. At one point in time that was what travel meant to me, but once I had the chance to see a world outside my own the real meaning behind travel was fully apparent.
Pack your bags and head thirteen hours on a plane to the mysterious and intriguing continent known as Asia and I promise you will experience and see the unimaginable.
Not too long ago, I was the girl who was fortunate to visit and explore the in's and out's of Shanghai, China. As I stepped off the plane for the first time I had the idea of Shanghai only being a luxurious place that had huge skyscrapers and a culture that is so fascinating to learn about. Little did I know that in just a few short days my entire perception on life, reality and Shanghai would be completely changed.
Don't worry, it was for the better.
As day two approached I put my coat, scarf and boots on and was ready to see what Shanghai had to offer. I got in the car with my family and our tour guide and we drove off to our first destination known as the French Quarter. Once we arrived at the quarter, I began to observe what was around me. At first my eyes saw an upscale town. But then ten minutes later as we ventured around the town, my eyes saw something way more striking then just that.
I want you to take a second and imagine what life would be like if we didn't have our cozy beds, pillows or warm showers to bathe in at the end of the day. I know, it seems more than impossible to imagine. Well, the people of the small village in Shanghai live that life everyday. There norm is sleeping on wooden beds with a slight chance they have a pillow or a bed sheet, if they are lucky.
For many of us, we don't understand what it is like not to have those things because it isn't our norm. We all live within our own bubbles of a hometown that trap us inside the drama, talk and life of the ones around us, not letting us experience and observe the good and the not so good around us.
This world is filled with countless eye opening remarks that can change you for the better. For myself, what I learned about and saw as I explored the French Quarter was something I will never forget and will forever push me to do better for the world and one's that are suffering or just need a helping hand around us.
If you had to take one thing from reading the words you just read, please remember to always be fortunate and appreciative of what you have and if you ever have a chance too see the world around you, make sure to cherish it and do good with it because it can be completely life changing.