There's nothing like the end of the year to put people in a reflective mood which is why we asked the members of travel website Trippy.com to reflect on their favorite subject and tell us what travel has taught them. The answers are thought-provoking, insightful, and above all, inspiring. If this list doesn't make you want to get out there and see the world, nothing will!
We'd love to know what travel has taught you so be sure to click here to tell us! And of course, we wish you and yours a wonderful 2016 full of happy travels!
1. Fearlessness wins.
"The unknown can be frightening. Heading to a new destination with a completely different culture and language, a new system of transportation and new etiquette, can be scary. Travel forces you to face the fear of what's-to-come head on, to be more present in the moment and to take things as they come. There's always going to be some nervousness associated with leaving a place you are comfortable with and heading to someplace new but the anxiety becomes more about the excitement of the journey and less about the fear of the unknown." -- Trippy member of Carolann Hughes
2. Beauty is everywhere.
"How beautiful the world is." -- Trippy member Tony A. of Connecticut
3. Ask for help.
"Travel has a way of presenting situations that require asking for help, something I have always struggled with. From small things like catching a cab and asking for directions to big things like rentals, jobs, etc., learning how to simply ask for help (and sometimes trusting/relying on someone else!) has been invaluable for me." -- Trippy member Krista Gray of San Francisco, California
4. Look closer.
"Before I lived overseas, I only saw beauty in the obvious places - the tourist guide stuff. Now, even in places that others find dull, I've been able to seek uniqueness, see beauty, and discover culture in the histories and people that make each place unique." -- Trippy member Tiffany Weber of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
5. Calm down.
"I have a strong natural inclination to research the crap out of a place and then make plans according to what I find. Travel has taught me that I need to chill out and let things happen. If I can't get into that one guest house that I read about, it's OK and I might even end up finding a better place. I've also learned to be flexible about things like getting fleas, because, well, some places you go, you're just going to get them. There are ways to get rid of them, so take it in stride." -- Trippy member Gina Czupka of Minneapolis, Minnesota
6. Soak it all in.
"Travel really is the greatest classroom of life. Like every sense is heightened when you're traveling and you're on your toes like never before. I really don't think there's anything we can do as adults that captures the wonder of our childhood like travel does." -- Trippy member Spencer Spellman of Los Angeles, California
7. Less is more.
"I need very little to be happy. Doesn't matter for how long I will be gone, I still travel with 10kg carry on and small shoulder bag. The less I have, the less I have to worry about." -- Trippy member Rasto Elgr of Edmonton, Canada
8. Trust your gut.
"Let your gut be your guide. Most of the time you will either have a great experience or avoid frustration and bad experiences." -- Trippy member Linda Gruenert
9. Have a free spirit.
"Freedom is more rewarding than security." -- Trippy member jurriaan Teulings of Amsterdam, Netherlands
10. Just do it.
"At times it's better to throw out your plans and just dive in head first." -- Trippy member Sean Kelly of Hudson, New York
11. Rise above it all.
"Resilience is key. For most people, there will be at least one instance where a plan goes to s*** or something unexpected happens and you can't let it ruin your day or your trip. I've missed planes and trains, showed up to museums that are closed on the only day I could attempt to visit them, been rained out, lost train tickets, had money stolen, etc., and the first few times it happened I almost lost my mind but you soon realize it isn't the end of the world. Being able to "roll with the punches" or at least be flexible with plans is a great asset when you travel, but also in life." -- Trippy members Ashley and Ryan R of Calgary, Canada
We'd love to know what travel has taught you so be sure to click here to tell us! And of course, we wish you and yours a wonderful 2016 full of happy travels!
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