Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Writing about travel in the 1800s, Twain’s words remain brilliant.
Do you love adventures the way Samuel Clemens did? Does experiencing the new make your heart happy? Traveling is how my brain rejuvenates. Hiking a new trail, beautiful views unfolding with each turn, fills my soul with joy. Returning home, I feel able to plod on through the daily life we undertake—work, house chores, personal obligations. Things that sometimes feel like drudgery become lighter upon my return from a trip.
Starting My Travels
My novice journey outside the USA was to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was a fabulous time involving swimming in the Sea of Cortex and touring the Eagle’s Hotel California. That excusion was almost thirty years ago and I’m still hooked on using my passport. I had another vacation to Mexico before hitting the Caribbean. St. Maarten provided a great initiation to French/Dutch culture, but the Bahama trip was interrupted by Hurricane Floyd. I started going to the Toronto region of Canada for work in the early 2000s. The excursions to Europe began with my first jaunt to Germany. With that trip, my world expanded and hasn’t shrunk yet.
Exploring new places and meetint new people, even when I don’t speak the language, is a favorite kind of fun.* Visiting with locals to get the scoop on the best trails, museums, and restaurants is always a high point for a journey.
Take a trip–from Hawaii to Italy and more!
*As a traveling American, I ask locals, “Do you speak English?” and often hear, “Yes, but not very good.” The person then proceeds to speak so eloquently that your first language sounds lyrical.
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