The magic of travel lies within the beauty of the Unknown. The potential of friends to be found. Lovers to be enjoyed. Food to be explored. Coffee to be consumed.
I’ve just spent, what I assume, is the last 23hours in the air flying from Melbourne to London. I’ve touched base in Brunei. Dabbled in a late night donut date in Dubai and finally found my calling in London Town.
As I’m about to conquer any potential Jet lag with a solid walking tour of London I’m writing this small piece on the train from Heathrow. Cause you know sleep is over rated when you’re a gypsy at heart.
This year I’ve done a lot of travel. More so than any other year in my short time here. I’ve danced in Dunedin, moved mountains (of fear) in Mongolia, had some amazing wonton soup in Hong Kong and got to spend a few magical days with one of the most beautiful South African ladies anyone will ever meet in Bangkok. Time and time again people ask me why do I travel? What singular event in my life inspired me to invest my time, money and heart into this life style? Until recently I answered sweetly that it was a combination of things;
- My Grandparents were travelers. Albeit this initially started as a perk from Pa’s job. They traveled during a time when it truly was a luxury always coming home with amazing photos, art work and tales to tell.
- I’m a reader. Which my parents heavily encouraged me to read all the books. New ones, old ones, library borrowed. Anything that I could get my hands on. This is still true. I happily take less undies and more books on trips.
- Crazy innate sense of curiosity about the world beyond my two feet. I was always happy to watch the discovery channel over Neighbours and was thrilled at social science classes at school.
As I sat on one of my many flights I searched for answers to questions I didn’t know I even had. I couldn’t tell you the names of the cities, towns, villages and communities that I flew over. I watched as the world continued to be. Lights connected roads and roads connected people. Nameless villages scattered along deserts, hidden behind rivers and trees. In the comfort of my seat I wondered who were these people? Just what are they doing to prepare for the next day. Was there anyone already awake, silently preparing fires to cook on? Goats to be milked?
This is why I travel. To discover the magic and beauty of the Unknown.
Don’t just travel to the obvious places.
Travel to the tough places.
Travel to learn.
Travel to discover.
Travel to the places that will challenge who you think you want to be.
It’s time to open the door to the world and embrace the Unknown.
