I remember going on my first trip back to India.
I was about five, and I was confused as to how I saw the stars outside the airplane window and in a few hours, bright sunlight in Chennai. It confounded me how our world was different. I did not see the playground I played in. Instead, I saw buildings, traffic and a life that was different than the one I was used to in US.
My parents took care of all the planning and logistics for every trip. They even decided to venture out and extend our traveling to other countries instead of just visiting India. Our first non-India trip was to Nassau, Bahamas. We had so much fun playing water sports, walking through the Straw Market and exploring the country.
I’m incredibly blessed to have visited countries that I’ve studied in textbooks with my family.
It’s been only recently that I’ve started taking a more active role in assisting with planning and navigating to places I want to see. With the power of a smartphone, WiFi and curiosity, I’ve been able to experience some of the greatest moments in my life in these foreign cities.
I have never really gone on a trip by myself, but I’ve visited places without my family, which is a different experience in itself. For example, I went to New York with a friend. That’s something I would have only dreamed about doing.
The lessons I have learned from traveling are many.
Traveling forces you to:
- Open your mind to possibilities
- Take responsibility for yourself
- Figure out how to use a map and trust your instincts
- Learn about other people, languages, history, traditions, values, practices and behaviors
- Be mindful of where you are and take care of your own safety, hunger and needs
- Sharpen your senses to experience everything in real time
- Understand what is essential and inessential
You also end up playing two very important roles: an observer and participant.
An observer is one who looks at life and understands its ways. A participant is one who experiences the moments and seizes the opportunity to make the best of life.
I identify more as the former than the latter. When I enter an environment that is completely new to me, I become silent and still, watching the life around me.
Sometimes I just need a few minutes to take in the scenery; quietly observe my surroundings, the people, the language and the architecture; and ponder what would have crossed a designer’s mind when constructing something so aesthetic to the eye and what draws people into the beauty.
Part of my observatory nature also includes watching/listening to people, understanding why it is the way they behave/think, being curious about new ideas and hearing their perspectives – it’s fascinating how people think so differently. I get easily amazed.
One can learn so much about social etiquette, what makes a person beautiful or vexing, or why they behave the way they do.
It’s fascinating as a traveler because you learn new things and become more wise with the lessons you learn.
So if you’re looking to change your life, start with local trips. Increase the endurance of your patience and stamina for experience. Once you’ve built your tolerance, push yourself to go beyond your comfort zone.
You’ll be surprised at how beautiful life can be.
Me. Poojah.