Traveling is a lot more than going from point A to point B; this is as much a discovery of different cultures/landscapes than about yourself. I know it may sound a bit like a cliché, but everyone who has been traveling for a bit and went back home has realized that he/she has a different view on his/her country, hometown and family.
And you go to this process because you go out of your comfort zone, becoming aware of what really matters to you. This is a pleasant and sometimes quite disturbing sensation, but it is something that helps you to go ahead in your life.
Unfortunately I feel we are on the way to lose this.
As I spent some time on the web I usually stumble upon articles like “Top 5 Websites for Travelers” or the “The 7 iPhone Apps that Made my Vacations”. At the beginning I was quite delighted to find all these resources, thinking how cool it was to find all these information, to plan my trips, to find the best places in town, etc.
Sure you have guides like Lonely Planet that have been there for a long time, but sites such as Tripit, NileGuide or even Yelp are goldmines for finding the right thing to do/eat/see. I was very enthusiastic about it and I mentioned them to one of my friends. And talking to him gave me the feeling I was wrong.
He went to Japan recently so we spoke about it. He was particularly keen to talk to me about what happened to him in a bar he ended up in Tokyo. He did not know anyone, but as he is a complete social animal, he started talking to people (in his best English and Japanese!) and drinking with them. He stayed to the closure of the bar, being lucky enough to get drinks and even presents from the tender and his family. And the beauty of it is that everything was purely coincidental.
I agree with you, it happens one out of a million times and many people are not that lucky, but I am truly convinced that luck will never knock on your door if you are not pro-active. After this chat I realized that all the nice things that happened to me when travelling where purely coincidence or luck. I think in our fearful and control freak societies we want to leave no place to hazard, and it just takes out the best element of a trip: the adventure, the unknown. The best plan for traveling is then have the slightest plan as possible.
I heard the story of someone that one day went to the airport, look at the departures and booked a ticket for the first destination available. Urban legend or not, I find this really inspirational and if I might be not as bold as this person, I will definitely put his mindset on my backpack, wherever I go.
Author’s image.
About becoming an Ecoki Author
Requesting an eco product review
About our Ethical Marketing Packages
Join the Ecoki Kiva Lending Team to help people around the world!
Discussion Take a look at what is being said about this article.
Ola Vickson, on June 5th, 2009 says:
So true, what an insightful post. Thanks for the information, it really gets you thinking!
Peter H., on June 5th, 2009 says:
As someone who frequently travels, I definitely am going to keep this all in mind. you’re right, the best plan is no plan at all. Thanks for the post, Guillaume.
Irene C., on June 5th, 2009 says:
So true. “luck will never knock on your door if you are not pro-active.”
kerry-ann, on June 10th, 2009 says:
Great post!