I am changed by the experiences. Sometimes is big ways, sometimes in small way, travel opens massive doors to the world and to understanding myself.
When I travel, I get to the basics of what is important to me. Why do I have two closets overflowing with clothes when I can live happily out of one 28 inch roller bag for two weeks? What I pack, is what I find comfortable. If I don't feel comfortable wearing things - it is time to clean out my closet. I take a basic computer with me when I travel, small, light weight, inexpensive. I rely on it for my connection to the world. It is important. The first few days we were trying to eat on a "normal schedule" then we settled into eating when we were hungry. The shift in time zones, results in a shift in sleep patterns. I was surprised this time that I settled into a 9 or 10 hour sleep cycle, not the 8 to 9 I think of as normal. Maybe I need to accommodate more sleep at home.
The more I travel, and the fuller the condo gets, the less stuff I buy. You can go into any tourist town, and buy the same made in a distant factory stuff, all that changes is in the name and maybe the shape, tourist junk. I find that I try to buy a small ceramic bowl, from a local artist, something that contains the earth, the colors, and the talents of the place.
In traveling I find that other places have some of the same problems as home. And I find that other places don't have many of the same problems as home. Much of the world has much better passenger train service than my home. In some places they put up signs warning pedestrians to watch out for the dog-shit on the walkways, in other places the pride of place is so high - public places are so clean. This changes my thinking in many ways, we can do better, many-but-not-all do.
Travel changes us as people. It changes who we are, how we think. Our traveling changes the places we visit. It changes how we are understood. Travel opens big doors, for people, to change in little ways and big ways.
Oh I have started to ramble and get circular. Time to call it quits for this week.
The highlight of this week? We bought a parking space in the garage at the condo. Don't ask how much.
I do agree travel changes one. Every trip I learn something new. I also agree with local things... save the souvenirs. But and support a local artist or designer unique to that area.
ReplyDeleteThe first evening we were in Malaga there was a Christmas market on the street a block away, I found a wonderful potter, the market was only there the one day, I am so glad I bought when I did from the hands that made it.
DeleteI can only speak personally and I don't think I've been changed by travel. Enlightened a little at times, perhaps learning that one way of doing things is just that. There are other ways to get a the same or better result. I certainly learn things, but generally from a tourist perspective and I can probably do that here at my desktop.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is partly because I live in a very multicultural society.
DeleteMaybe you are changes in way you don't realize
DeleteYour "ramble" speaks directly to my wanderlust heart. "Travel opens big doors, for people, to change in little ways and big ways." BINGO!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the photo inspires the words
DeleteYou should have asked Santa for the parking space. But congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI was starting to wonder if it was going to happen, and all of a sudden in 6 hours it was signed and done.
DeleteWe have several friends in NYC who bought parking spaces so I have a general idea .... OUCH!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, because your explanation of travel just shows how well we can all live with less. I was talking to a co-worker about Christmas and she asked what I wanted and I said, 'Nothing."
Today, right now, I have all I need. It's a nice feeling.
Happiness is an inside deal
DeleteTraveling broadens the mind, they say.
ReplyDeleteAs long as I don't broaden my other end too much,
DeleteAbout 5 years ago, I got out all my old passports and noted the dates of all my foreign trips in the Notes app on my iPhone. That way, I always have the dates of each trip handy if I want to know.
ReplyDeleteI see you found some really big (and beautiful) doors to stress your point!
The Cathedral in Malaga, the guy there taking a photo really gave that one scale. It was a dark corner, I was so pleased with the way the camera processed the available light.
DeleteHow marvelous this must to be be a seasoned traveler (penguin type) that you evolve and become a different sort of traveler. Most folks I suppose don't travel often enough to learn and grow such.
ReplyDelete