Backpacking Diplomacy Andy's Travel Blog: Travel tips, culture, and more
Home is where the what is?
Travelers are fortunate to see some amazing things in the world, and then return carrying those experiences with them forever. Most travelers, even long-term travelers, will likely return home at some point even if it is just for some time. As they return home, they are inevitably equipped with a new prism and outlook that they have gained from the wonderful marvels of the world and its lessons for them. This new prism enables one to think outside of their native beliefs while analyzing things in new ways. Upon returning from traveling, I realized that there are a few things that I have learned about home while being out in the world.They are:
There are more things to do then you’d think
I used to complain a lot about being home, to be fair, I still do at times. However, thanks to wonderful friends and a willingness to try new things, I have been shown a different side of my native city that I never experienced before in the many years of living in it. Even living in a small town, there are still plenty of things to do. Often, you just have to know where to look.
Globalization has set in
Love it, or hate it, globalization has shown its face, and it is here to stay. Technology has linked the world and reduced boundaries on unprecedented levels, never imaginable by the ancients. Even the most advanced of ancient marvels wouldn’t comprehend this crazy world that we live in today. Globalization has impacted all levels of society right down to the very people who live next door to you. I never imagined that so many people from distant corners of the earth, would live in my home city. Whenever I meet them, it is often difficult to comprehend how they can so easily end up on the opposite side of the world. Simply, amazing if you ask me.
International is a mindset
Even though it may be difficult to realize when at home, being international is a mindset. Thinking globally can be done from your living room just as easily as in Beijing. You might not have the same cultural experience, but you can still learn from home through other means. Your physical location shouldn’t limit your mindset.
Experience is what you make it
Seriously, if there is one thing that I’ve learned, it is experience is what you make it out to be. If you take two people to the same place rarely will you receive the same response if you ask them about it. One person may enjoy it, the other may not. Or perhaps, both will enjoy it but for different reasons. Make the most out of what you can until you get to where you want to be.
No one can determine your happiness but YOU!
I read a book a few years ago called Man’s Search for Meaning. In that book, the author, Viktor Frankl, determined that there was one thing that no one can ever take from you: how you choose to handle a situation. Even through the worst of situations, you can still walk away with a smile. The choice is yours. How will you live? Live YOUR life, for YOURSELF.
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What are your thoughts?
What has traveling taught you about home? Let us know what you think!
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Another great post Andy. Travel does make you look at home from a different light. It is always a place of refuge and comfort, yet once you travel you see how small and insignificant the location is to others around the world. This helps travellers mature and be more appreciative of the world for what it is.
The Guy recently posted…Airline Lounges In The US Are Rubbish
It really does. I can definitely say that my perspective has changed a lot since I’ve traveled, especially what you say about being more appreciative. I think that is crucial!
“Even living in a small town, there are still plenty of things to do. Often, you just have to know where to look.”
So true! I grew up in a small secluded town in the Canadian Rockies and I constantly complained about how boring it was there as a teen. Then we moved three hours away to the city. Now I go back to the mountains every summer because there’s so much to do & see lol – apparently moving away was the reality check I needed to realize that my supposedly crappy little oil-patch town was actually pretty awesome and did have a lot to offer someone who sought ‘adventure’
Kirsten recently posted…Travelling With Allergies
Definitely Kirsten, strangely we never really see what is closest to us, and even more so don’t appreciate it until we have been away. Glad that you found your ‘adventure’!