The Down-Side of Travel

Travel and wanderlust are weird things; they can consume you completely, fill you up while also leaving you feeling a bit empty. That being said, I love traveling. It’s one of my favorite things in the world to do. And I've found it really makes you realize just how important it is to embrace the present. Cliché, I know, but let me explain.

When you travel, you meet awesome people. Sure there, are some jerks, but the vast majority of adventurers out there are pretty great. And the people willing to interact and spend time with travelers are [by and large] fantastic as well. There are some reasons for this. As a traveler especially, first of all, you have to willing to engage with people. But that goes without saying. You’re obviously going to have a miserable time if you go halfway around the world and then don’t talk to anyone once you get there.

On the road, you have a very finite amount of time to spend with the people you meet, and you really have to make it count. So, stay up late talking. If you get invited to do something, do it. Try a few words in the local tongue, however unsuccessful they may be. Forget the word “no” is in your vocabulary. (Except in obvious situations where safety and the like are involved.) Doing this, you’ll meet some real characters and have some unforgettable experiences. You’ll return home with stories your friends and family won’t believe. You’ll make friends that you want to keep forever. And that’s where the depressing part of travel comes in.

Even in the world today, with all our technology, and networking, and social media, staying touch and maintaining a relationship forged while traveling is very difficult, oftentimes impossible. Exchanging contact information nowadays has all sorts of social rules and stipulations. And communicating online or over the phone just can't come close to interacting in person. Especially if there's a language barrier. And for every person you do manage to keep in touch with, there are the many others- the ones who got away.

I've parted company with an enormous amount of really great people knowing no more practical information about them than a first name and maybe an occupation. But I know them as people, which makes it all the harder to say goodbye, knowing I'll likely never speak to, let alone see them again. Unfortunately, it seems we are fated to end all our trips with a bunch of what Fight Club so eloquently described as 'single-serving friends'.

And now, a completely non-depressing sunset. Happy thoughts.