5 Reasons Why I Love Traveling
I will never forget it. March 1995, my family and I went on our first family vacation. I was in the 5th grade. My family decided to take my siblings, my cousin, and me to Myrtle Beach, SC during spring break. I can admit I was very excited. This was my first time going to Myrtle Beach. It was also our 1st big family trip.
Being that the trip was 22 years ago, I can’t remember too many details. What I can remember is that it sparked something in me. After that trip, I knew that I had a new addiction. That was when I realized that I loved traveling! Something is amazing about visiting a city that is not your own.
Circumstances didn’t allow us to take another family trip until 19 years later. I didn’t let that stop me. As a kid, I told myself that once I turned 18, it was on. I was going to try and travel as much as I could. In today’s post, I will be sharing five reasons why I love traveling.
Be Grateful For What You Have
I entered Savannah State University as a freshman in August 2002. I had the chance to meet some people that felt almost the same way about traveling as I did. Those people became my travel buddies. We took a lot of road trips back then. As a freshman and a sophomore, I took advantage of going on alternative spring break trips with my school to New York City and Nashville, TN. Not only did I get the chance to visit two cities that I’ve never been to before at the time, but I also got the opportunity to do volunteer work in each place.
In New York, we helped out at a soup kitchen for two days. We read to underprivileged kids during our trip to Nashville. Both trips put things into perspective. I was grateful for the things that I had and glad that I could help out for a few days. Traveling can do that to you. Depending on where you go, it will remind you to be grateful for what you have. I’ve heard that going on mission trips can do that to you as well.
Experience New Things
Traveling allows you to experience new things. I have been on a lot of trips in my life. No two trips have been the same. They have been different. You see various sites, mingle with different folks, and travel with different people. Those experiences can help to shape your life.
Expand Your Comfort Zone
I was 23 when I took my first flight. My frat brother and I went to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve 2007. Was I nervous about flying? Hell yeah, but I wanted to visit Las Vegas. I damn sure wasn’t about to catch the Greyhound to do so. Traveling has a way of expanding your comfort zone. It gets you out of your regular box. It pushes you to do something different. I was 32 when I traveled outside of the country for the first time. It was an experience that I will never forget. I’m looking forward to expanding my comfort zone on a few trips next year.
Learn About Culture
When you’re traveling, you get to learn about a city or countries culture. Reading about it and seeing it in person are two different things. Having a chance to visit Cuba in person opened my eyes. I had an opportunity to learn about the country and see it for what it’s worth. You can’t do that by reading travel guides.
Escape
Until I’m able to get my freedom and create the life that I want to have, travel gives me an escape. I don’t hate my job, but the 9-5 life is very repetitive to me. It’s the same thing over and over again. Traveling a few times per year allows me to get away for a few days. Those trips allow me to escape for a few days and recharge. Once my debt is paid off, I will travel even more.
Meet Locals
The final reason that I love traveling is that I get a chance to talk to the locals. Tourist places are cool, but sometimes you want to get a feel for what the locals do. I’ve found that the locals know the best bars and places to eat. Talking to them will get you off the beaten path. The locals can show you the good and the not so good of the city. I wouldn’t advise having a local show you around unless you already know them.
Since I turned 18, I’ve traveled to several cities including Washington D.C, Chicago, and Milwaukee. I also had the chance to see America from coast to coast. If you have an opportunity to do a cross-country trip, do it. You will never be the same. I’ve also had a chance to use my passport a few times. Get your passport if you don’t already have it. It’s not that expensive. If you don’t have the money, try one of these side hustles.
I have several travel goals that I want to do in the near future. It’s one of the reasons that I work so hard. I love traveling so much. I’ve said that it is my anti-drug. Hopefully, you now understand why I love traveling after reading this post.
If you need ideas on budgeting for your next trip, check out PiggyBank’s trip budgeting guide.
Do you like to travel? If so, why or why not? Would you consider it an addiction?
Travel Resources
Airbnb
If I can’t find a hotel deal when I’m traveling, I use Airbnb. I’ve used it in places like Miami and Havana, Cuba. Both places that I stayed in were nice. Use this coupon the first time you book a stay with Airbnb, and you can save $35.
Rakuten
Rakuten allows you to get cash back on your online purchases. I started using Rakuten a few years ago and received a couple of hundred bucks back. You can even book hotel rooms using the Rakuten browser. Sign up for Rakuten through my link and get a free $10 cash back!
I used to love to travel…before it became such a hassle. But even now, I still do love to go…must be the Sagittarius in me…but I have to steel myself for the BS!!! LOL Do it now Jason…while it is still fun!!!
Trust me I will.
I’ve been traveling since I was 9 and my parents took us to live in Mexico for a year. When I was 14, we drove cross country and when I was 15-16, we lived in England for a year where my father was an exchange teacher at the end of which we camped in France, Italy and Spain for 7 weeks before returning to the US. When I was 19, my parents didn’t hesitate to let me do a college semester in Bogotá, Colombia. Since then, I’ve been to 46 US states and 56 countries, most recently to South Africa. So, yeah. I think I’m addicted to travel. I really hope you get to use your passport very soon. What will be your first foreign travel?
I really want my first foreign location to be London, England. It’s something that intrigues me about that city. By the looks of it you’re more addicted to travel than I am. What 4 states haven’t you been to?
I love to travel too. Once you start traveling overseas the travel bug really bites you. I think its great that you chose to do alternative spring breaks and volunteer work. 🙂
I’m ready to make that happen.
That’s awesome that you’ve had the opportunity to travel so much. I wouldn’t say travel is my addiction, but I definitely like to go to new places (preferably warm places). I think a travel addiction can be good or bad. It’s only bad if you try to do it when you really can’t afford to spend the time or money travelling.
I agree. I’ve known people who have traveled when they really couldn’t afford it. It’s not fun paying for other peoples meals when you didn’t plan on it.
I looove to travel! For a while it was an actual addiction for me – I was always going somewhere or planning the next trip. Lately it’s been a bit less of a priority but I hope one day to keep traveling and seeing new places.
I use to travel as a kid. Today I still would like to travel if only I can cut down my busy schedules.
Make it happen.
I actually love nothing more. Dunno if there’s a dash of restless gypsy blood in my veins, what else could explain that…
Jason- I love to travel. One day I will be too old to travel, so I say do as much as you can while you can. Buy a little foreign currency to the countries you want to travel, a little at time. Then when you are ready you have the money. Enjoy life through traveling
It’s great how that fifth grade trip to Myrtle Beach really opened up a whole new world for you, even though it didn’t fully come out until much later. Your curiosity about other people and other places I’m sure goes far beyond anything that you experienced on that trip. It’s interesting to read this because I’ve been writing this series of blog posts about family vacations and I’m not sure I realized how much of an impression they made on the kids in the backseat.
I can bet you that they loved those trips. They will probably never forget those memories.
Travel is most definitely an addiction for me. I love to plan trips near and far. My next big trip will most likely be Barcelona and I can’t wait.
Barcelona…wow. That city is definitely on my list. When do you plan on going?
I love to travel and take in the culture.
I am like a child when preparing to travel. The anticipation is almost as exciting as actually being there!
I struggle to understand why some choose to travel to the same country, often same resort year after year. There is a big world out there!
Just a selection of my dream destinations;
San Francisco
Hong Kong
Maldives
Japan
Hawai
Bahamas
Goa
Those are some unique destinations. A few are on my list.
I LOVE to travel but I do not like the delays and time between connecting flights. But, yes! So much to see. I actually brows through travel blogs to get ideas where to go or at least, to add them to my “must visit one day” list.
Happy and safe travels to you!
Thanks. Same to you!
I love to travel. At times I travel abroad but I want to explore my Kashmir. Though I do not get much time to travel as I always go for a short time. But Even then I try to touch as much places as possible.
ALl the best with your travelling plan and games.
I have seen many places but I feel the Kashmir is Best. I need to explore it from LOC to LOC
Line of control (LOC) that segregates Kashmir in two Parts , unfortunately.
I hope you get the chance to explore it.
It is absolutely an addiction Jason and one I cannot get enough of. I can totally relate to your first trip sparking the travel bug in you and wish you all the best in achieving those goals. One thing, as you work on completing those goals the world will open up even more and you be prepared to never stop the adventure.
Thank you. I’m looking forward to the world opening up even more. It’s so much to see out there.
I like to travel, but rarely to the same place. To me traveling is an adventure; I think this is why I enjoy it so much. There is something basic in us to want to see a place we have never seen before. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I love to travel and have been fortunate to be able to get to some great places, although I haven’t traveled as extensively as some of the others who’ve commented. Even when I’m not traveling and am at home or staying in one place for a length of time, I love to explore the area around me. There are often delights to discover close to home as well.
You’re right about that. I need to explore the places around me some more.
Travelling is fun but I don’t see it as an addiction. I don’t also travel that much cos I hate long distance travel. Anyway that just me.
From BHB