Travel: 1 beautiful risk that changed my view of the world
I wish it didn’t take me this long to realize it
Traveling out of one’s comfort zone is an experience I recommend everyone should have.
“It’s not that deep, Nanya,” said Rob, my well-travelled cousin who just returned from another trip to South Africa. “Just step out and experience the world around you. Take a trip on the fly. Visit landmarks, try new food, and feel the wind in your hair.”
I rolled my eyes, not the least bit motivated. If Rob was the only human on earth surrounded by rocks, he’d still make those rocks travel. He was that sold on travel. But me? Not so much.
I loved my space and traveling for the sake of seeing the world seemed like a huge discomfort at the time. It seemed like something you’d do if you were on a journey to fixing yourself, like Elizabeth Gilbert in her memoir; Eat, Pray, Love. I needed no fixing. After all, if it wasn’t broken, why fix it?
Unlike Rob, I needed a deep reason to travel.
Unlike Rob, I needed a good reason to travel. Eventually, I found a good enough reason to travel and my journeys started — not just in the way you’d think. Life has a way of teaching you brokenness without breaking you to pieces. I went chasing this idea that purpose was waiting for me out there, somewhere.
But that ended in Life 101: Life Lessons Around the World. I quickly learned that finding purpose wasn’t that simple. Turns out, finding your purpose is more like a lifelong journey than a destination you stumble upon during a layover. And travel by itself has only some of the answers.
Travel is no doubt exciting. It’s like opening up a whole new world of possibilities and perspectives. Sure, it can be a bit daunting at first, but once you get into it, it’s like discovering a whole new side of yourself. Every trip is a confidence booster, each destination has a different vibe. The people and cultures you interact with become a part of your story. Yeah, travel is fun.
But that doesn’t mean travel is necessarily a life-changing endeavor.
It’s not some magical portal that automatically turns us into our ideal selves. Sure, it can open our eyes to new perspectives but at the end of the day, we’re still the same people with the same strengths and flaws. And the choices we make determine the impact of our travels.
Travel is a tool — a double-edged sword. It has the power to bring people together, but it can also drive them apart.
When circumstances align, it bridges worlds, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding between people of different backgrounds and cultures. But on the flip side, it can also reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate misconceptions, especially if we’re not open-minded about the people and places we encounter.
I’ve met people who’ve been to many countries, but their attitude showed zero exposure. For all I knew, they could have been stuck in one town with no windows to the world. I’ve found myself in certain places where I needed to let go of a particular stance to be empathetic.
Our interactions with locals play a huge role in shaping our perceptions of a place. Whether we’re greeted with warmth and hospitality or met with suspicion and hostility, it can color our entire experience and shape how we see the world.
So, no. Travel isn’t perfect. But despite the unpredictability of life on the road, travel is a beautiful risk. You just need to be curious, open-minded, and full of life which is what travel can give you. Hopefully, I finally learned what Rob wanted me to learn those years ago.
Hey, I’m Nanya. Nice to meet you. Thanks for reading my story. I hope to read some of yours too.
