My family rarely traveled. I can count the places that i have been on my hands and i have only been out of the country once which was to Canada when i was young. I have a horrible memory and barely even remember most places that we have traveled to.
One thing i do know, that i have this insatiable desire to travel. EVERYWHERE.
You can never truly learn about a place unless you experience it for yourself. I am in an introduction to Global Studies course. As i sit in a classroom filled with students who have traveled abroad or even lived in different countries i realize just how true that is. Textbooks are wonderful tools to learn of different cultures, lifestyles and different terrain and landmarks. But reading about the Egyptian pyramids, or reading about the Nazca lines is in no comparison to seeing them for yourself.
Travel can be anywhere. A lack of funds should never stop someone from exploring. This summer i chose to fill my days off with small road trips. These road trips had a radius of about an hour from my home. Even though i was working all summer i was able to fit these trips into my schedule on my days off. I went on hikes, picnics, to museums and cliff jumping. Experiencing areas that i had not before. And that is what is important. That is what is the underlying meaning of travel, to experience something new.
Though i do not need to leave the country to experience adventure or travel, there are countless things across borders and oceans that i wish to experience also. To go back packing across Europe, to see the castles and landscapes of Ireland. There is so much in this world to see and i cannot justify sitting in one area and settling. How can someone know that they are content with what they have if they have not seen what else the world has to offer?
Wanderlust.
That is the title of this article. Wanderlust is a word that has recently been tied to Millennials (those born in the mid 1990's- early 2000's). We seek adventure, and we invite it. We are less likely to settle for what we have unless we have explored what is out there. We have one life. Were we to live it in fear of adventure and new experiences would be a waste.
So, succumb to your wanderlust. Take a step out of your comfort zone and experience whatever this world has to offer! Never be afraid, because one day you may regret not taking that step and that would be a waste. So travel while you can, gain experiences over possessions, understand the value of travel. Wanderlust.
