Travel, as you like it

I sometimes meet people who ask or tell me about a place they’ve recently been to or want to go to, and if I perchance don’t know what they’re talking about, a disdainful look is thrown at me. This is often followed by remarks like, “But you say you like to travel, and you don’t know about this?” or “What kind of traveller are you?”

I know it shouldn’t, but ouch.

Then there are times when I’m discussing travel plans or just dreaming out loud and I’ll get a snobbish response (not that the person is a snob) with regard to certain preferences I have in the way I travel. Like I’m doing it wrong or something.

I once spoke to a chef who told me that he never carries a camera when he travels. I thought it was really cool. But what I didn’t care for much is the way he told me this. Like the rest of us were idiots for taking pictures when we travel.

Or I know people who will excitedly ask me and my friends about our travel plans and then say, “How boring!” Or “What’s to see there?!” (That’s what I’m going to find out!) only because they have a preconceived notion about that place.

So I feel like I need to put this out there. Because if I’ve given the wrong impression of myself, then I’d like to set things straight. And if you ever feel easily pressured like me by people who impose their opinions, then maybe I can help through this post.

I’m not a globe trotter, I haven’t quit my job to travel the world and I’m certainly not an adventuress of any sorts. Maybe I will be someday, maybe not. But whatever happens, one thing is for sure – I love to travel. I also love chronicling it in whatever way I can – pictures, stories, tips, ramblings. Hence the blog.

I’m still learning and I think I always will be. When I know something, I like to tell people about it and even help people plan their trips. It’s just something I enjoy. I don’t claim to know everything about the world and travel. I never have. I never will.

I don’t believe there’s any one way to travel. I think, when it comes to travel, if you know what you like and you can make it happen – great. If you’re still discovering, that’s great too. Of all the amazing things about travel, I like how undefinable it is.

My only advice is to take care not to hurt anyone. Be mindful of cultures, nature and people wherever you go. But apart from that, travel in a way that makes you happy and that’s possible for you. Take risks because you want to. Climb mountains because you want to. Be touristy because you want to. Pay extra for a hotel room over a hostel because you want to. (And because you can, haha.) Don’t let anybody make you feel bad for your travel decisions. Because in the end, you’re the one leaving with an experience. Even if things don’t work out, it’ll be your lesson to learn.

Imagine if we all had the same idea of travel and travelled the same way. Yawn. So go, travel, any way you like and any way you want. There’s a whole world out there!

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I obviously, obviously would love to know how you like to travel. The comments section is all yours. 🙂