What does it mean to travel? Are there restrictions? Are there limits? What does "wanderlust" really mean? And how does a 19-year-old girl go about discovering herself by way of losing herself to a world of endless possibilities? By definition, wanderlust is "a strong desire to travel." The idea of traveling all over the world is captivating. I have always loved traveling. Croatia, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France have been my destinations of choice over the last 10 years. But now, I am nearly 20 years old and I want more. More travel. More cities. More culture.
My family has always pushed me to take steps outside my comfort zone. From traveling to Spain and Italy with my classmates in high school to taking the trip of a lifetime around southern Europe with my grandparents for graduation, traveling has always been an option for me. Ever since I watched "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," I have dreamed of traveling to Rome and finding an Italian pop star to take me around the city. Now, that may not have happened, but I have been able to travel and discover more than just sights and smells and tastes.
This most recent trip to Europe ignited the cultural side of my curiosity. Driving through Positano, Italy, and eating at little cafés in Luccá made me realize that, after the initial shock of being abroad, the lifestyle starts to set in. My mom and I could spend hours sipping cappuccinos while people watching and eavesdropping our way into conversations, though we could barely understand the language. I learned more about myself on that trip than I ever could have imagined. But the most important thing I learned was to "never lose my sense of wander," which brought me back to my childhood when my mom and I would listen to LeeAnn Womack's song "I Hope You Dance." Mild tangent. However, it is true. The exact idea of wanderlust is to go out and take a leap of faith in the hope of finding more than what you came for.
In the years to come, I hope to fill my life with even more experiences. Studying abroad, learning new languages, engaging in international businesses, etc. Every door opened is a way into a new phase of life. I hope this phase never ends.
I urge everyone to travel. Go anywhere...Go EVERYWHERE! This world is so much more than the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enrich this life you have with as much culture and diversity as you can. There are some things that books and lecture halls cannot open your eyes to. Find them. Experience them. And enjoy every single bit of it!
