Traveling is typically depicted as being a glamorous adventure, and it can be that. But not all the time. There’s the planning, the budgeting, the lack of experience. This is part of the adventure, and I have discovered several helpful life lessons along the way.
In traveling with family or any sizeable group, the first thing to pick up on is the “go with the flow” mentality. It’s a revitalizing notion which is easier to embrace than to resist. It keeps you on your toes so you don’t become too set in your ways of handling things.
The most significant and inspiring trip I have ever taken was a two-week stay in Rome, Italy. Along with my immediate and extended family, I enjoyed some spectacular views of places like the Vatican, the museums, the shops, the restaurants, the bridges, the ancient obelisks and buildings, and the churches.
Experiencing the people and culture and art (especially the edible kind of art) was amazing. We saw the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. Connections and memories like these make life interesting. I think observing people from different places and admiring the creativity of long-dead artists can teach us something of what it means to be human.
We see elements of ourselves in these people which, on the surface, seem drastically different to us but really aren’t. In learning about others, we learn something about ourselves.
It can make us more open-minded. We might not be open to change, but at least we can become more appreciative of variety.
I also found that English, and not money, seems to be the universal language. Many of the local Italians and even the other foreign tourists (such as ones from France) spoke clear English. So these people were able to speak two or more languages fluently. I brushed up on my Spanish, but I am thankful that I know English as well as I do.
Many of the respectable people there were quite kind. The warm, good-natured interactions restored my view in the brotherhood of humanity. In observing foreign cultures firsthand or seeing the local people in need of something, it can and should give the onlooker a sense of thankfulness. And that person can feel a closer attachment to people as a whole. That’s what going on a plane and walking around a European country did for me.
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Photo by Christopher Czermak on Unsplash