I know we all love holidays and trips away, but have you really thought deeply about why you love to travel?
One of the things I really love about travel is the actual travelling itself. It’s like hitting the pause button on life, giving us a chance to ditch the daily grind and dive headfirst into adventure.
So it probably won’t be much of a shock to hear that my favourite modes of transport are trains and buses. Honestly, that’s my jam. How about you?
For me, nothing beats cosying up by the window, watching the world outside transform like a movie reel. As the scenery rolls by, you can’t help but feel a wave of peace wash over you. The pace of the train or the soothing purr of the bus becomes the ultimate chill track. It’s a moment where you disconnect from the craziness of adulting and plug into that childlike calm.
Then of course, there’s meeting other people. Last year during a trip to Petra, I stayed in a guesthouse where I met people from all over the world. Our host was a quirky ex-actor-turned-Airbnb host. His stories ranged from life in Petra to the surreal experience of celebrity life!
Then there was the Polish couple, oh, and the Italian couple I met who were also guests there. I’ll never forget the two days we debuted in each other’s lives. The first day was all about trekking and exploring Petra, and the other was deep chats. We got so deep, we were chatting about topics on infertility, racism, death, therapy, and love.
Sounds heavy, right? But our conversations were so uplifting, and if you think about it, all we were doing was discussing the richness of the human experience. Something I feel the quick pace of life can often distract us from. Maya Angelou said it best when she wisely said, ‘Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.’
Oh, but before this chat gets too deep, you know what else I love about travel? Just being. I can vividly recall feeling complete presence during my stay in Wadi Rum. You see, Bedouin people are renowned for their hospitality, and I know it might sound a little woo-woo. But the best way to describe it is: an instant connection and feeling of belonging. It was such a touching moment that I may or may not have cried during the five-hour bus ride to Amman.
Another thing I love about travel has to be the food! I wouldn’t class myself as a foodie per se, but I love trying new foods. How about you? For me, the more wholesome and traditional, the better. Just thinking about it has reminded me of the garlicky and flavoursome Impepata di cozze (mussels) that left me craving for more in Naples. Ah, but one of my best food experiences has to be in Jordan. The blended spices of the Bedouin-styled zarb were like a new revelation for my taste buds. Just telling you about it now, I can almost taste it! (How I wish I could!)
Finally, there’s the actual places. I’ve been super lucky to have enjoyed some wonderful experiences. Experiences I’ll never forget, like stargazing in Wadi Rum, floating in the Dead Sea, or riding a camel. (Nope. Not in the Dead Sea, of course!) Climbing Dunn’s River Fall in Jamaica or visiting the island of Lopud, home to like 300 people. I could go on, but ultimately, travelling is another perfect reminder that beauty exists everywhere…
And why I’ll say over and over that travelling is a beautiful privilege. All too often, the essence of which is missed between glossy brochures, but it is one that sparks joy and bridges people together, whether through culture, food, arts, their works, and I’m all here for it! Now enough from me. Share what you love most about travel in the comments below.
