Why Travel?
When I semi-retired 2 years ago, a big part of my retirement ‘plan’ was to travel. And Don and I have done just that. We’ve been to New Zealand, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, Italy, Truckee, CA., Maui and, most recently, Spain and France. In between these trips afar, we’ve revisited various local favourites such as the Rockies, Sun Peaks, Whistler/Blackcomb, Silver Star/Sovereign Lakes, Tofino/Ucluelet, Victoria, Manning Park and Callaghan Lakes. So, I’ve been reflecting on the question, “Why travel?” More specifically, “Why do I travel?”
You would think I’d have answered that question before the travels began. I did, in a superficial way. When others asked my about my plans for retirement, I’d say, “I never travelled in my youth. I’m going to do it now.” But I hadn’t thought a lot about it. I just knew I liked travelling and wanted to do more.
In reflecting on the topic, I realize I can quickly cross off a lot of reasons that others give for travelling: sightseeing, trying new cuisine, visiting museums and art galleries, shopping. These are not my reasons.
Three reasons come to mind for me. The first and foremost reason is discovery. When I travel to a place I’ve never been, I become a discoverer. Do you remember what it was like to be a child? As a child, your life is one of discovery. The world is new, largely unknown. For me, travelling to a new place is like that. I don’t know what’s around the corner, and it’s exciting to find out. For example, in Spain we arrived at our first campground and discovered ‘3 star’ camping. The campground was on a spectacular Mediterranean beach, had a pool, two restaurants (one overlooking the beach), a versatile music group for entertainment in the evening, tiled bathrooms and showers and extremely helpful staff. We had discovered 3 star camping! It’s interesting to note what 3 star camping did not have (another discovery). There was no toilet paper in the stalls. There was one roll for all the stalls, and you had to remember to get your paper in advance. Moreover, the ‘2 star’ campgrounds did not include toilet paper at all, and many towns in Spain had no public toilets – all part of the joy of discovery!
The other two reasons I travel are closely related to discovery - adventure and education. I like to have adventures. Plunging into new waters to snorkel is both a discovery and an adventure. I don’t know what I’m going to see, and the underwater environment is markedly different from all my other experiences. In fact, this kind of adventure and discovery is not limited to new places. I enjoy travelling to places I’ve been before to experience them anew. I’ve been to Hawaii 30 time and always come home looking forward to the next time because the snorkeling adventures are like entering a different world altogether. I can’t adequately describe it. One needs to experience it.
Education? I can’t say I travel to get educated. It just happens. The first time I stood on a bridge the Romans had built I felt the thrill of discovery. Just think, something the Romans built is still in use today! Then I started thinking about the Roman history I know. In school I read Caesar and Virgil – war and politics. I wanted to know more. What did the Romans build and when and where? Travel arouses my curiosity and that’s leads to learning more.
Thinking about these reasons makes me want to plan the next trip. Where should I go? Galapagos? UK (walk Hadrian’s wall?), northern France to see the beaches of Normandy???
I’m interested to know: why do you travel?
When I semi-retired 2 years ago, a big part of my retirement ‘plan’ was to travel. And Don and I have done just that. We’ve been to New Zealand, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, Italy, Truckee, CA., Maui and, most recently, Spain and France. In between these trips afar, we’ve revisited various local favourites such as the Rockies, Sun Peaks, Whistler/Blackcomb, Silver Star/Sovereign Lakes, Tofino/Ucluelet, Victoria, Manning Park and Callaghan Lakes. So, I’ve been reflecting on the question, “Why travel?” More specifically, “Why do I travel?”
You would think I’d have answered that question before the travels began. I did, in a superficial way. When others asked my about my plans for retirement, I’d say, “I never travelled in my youth. I’m going to do it now.” But I hadn’t thought a lot about it. I just knew I liked travelling and wanted to do more.
In reflecting on the topic, I realize I can quickly cross off a lot of reasons that others give for travelling: sightseeing, trying new cuisine, visiting museums and art galleries, shopping. These are not my reasons.
Three reasons come to mind for me. The first and foremost reason is discovery. When I travel to a place I’ve never been, I become a discoverer. Do you remember what it was like to be a child? As a child, your life is one of discovery. The world is new, largely unknown. For me, travelling to a new place is like that. I don’t know what’s around the corner, and it’s exciting to find out. For example, in Spain we arrived at our first campground and discovered ‘3 star’ camping. The campground was on a spectacular Mediterranean beach, had a pool, two restaurants (one overlooking the beach), a versatile music group for entertainment in the evening, tiled bathrooms and showers and extremely helpful staff. We had discovered 3 star camping! It’s interesting to note what 3 star camping did not have (another discovery). There was no toilet paper in the stalls. There was one roll for all the stalls, and you had to remember to get your paper in advance. Moreover, the ‘2 star’ campgrounds did not include toilet paper at all, and many towns in Spain had no public toilets – all part of the joy of discovery!
The other two reasons I travel are closely related to discovery - adventure and education. I like to have adventures. Plunging into new waters to snorkel is both a discovery and an adventure. I don’t know what I’m going to see, and the underwater environment is markedly different from all my other experiences. In fact, this kind of adventure and discovery is not limited to new places. I enjoy travelling to places I’ve been before to experience them anew. I’ve been to Hawaii 30 time and always come home looking forward to the next time because the snorkeling adventures are like entering a different world altogether. I can’t adequately describe it. One needs to experience it.
Education? I can’t say I travel to get educated. It just happens. The first time I stood on a bridge the Romans had built I felt the thrill of discovery. Just think, something the Romans built is still in use today! Then I started thinking about the Roman history I know. In school I read Caesar and Virgil – war and politics. I wanted to know more. What did the Romans build and when and where? Travel arouses my curiosity and that’s leads to learning more.
Thinking about these reasons makes me want to plan the next trip. Where should I go? Galapagos? UK (walk Hadrian’s wall?), northern France to see the beaches of Normandy???
I’m interested to know: why do you travel?
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