Why Travel? Revisiting My First Blog Post

At the end of July 2019 I nervously published my first blog post. It is a scary proposition to put something out into the internet universe for everyone to see. One always wonders if anyone will care and read it. That first blog post was six years ago, and I have been putting out weekly posts since then. It has been fun but also work. Thankfully readers have found me, and this last year has been the best in terms of views of my posts. It’s been exciting to see the numbers increase.

However, the expectation I have put on myself to produce a new blog post each week can be stressful. When I am traveling is when it is the hardest to keep up. That has been true in the last week. I had hoped to have a new post ready for this week, but I don’t. So I decided that I would repost my first blog post. I have edited it with some new thoughts and photos. As always I would welcome your comments in the comment box below.

It seems that one of the common expectations of retirees is that they will travel. This expectation was evident when I was reading what my high school classmates from 50 years ago wrote in their current biographies. Traveling both past and future was a common theme. But why? What is the purpose or value of traveling?

People travel for many reasons. A common reason is what many people call bucket list travel. These travelers are out to see or experience those places they deem as important to experience. Often this is a list of sites. One has to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower or go to Rome to visit the Vatican. For some the places in Israel are important to see. For others it may be the desire to return to the land of their ancestors.

These types of travelers typically focus on places, cities or monuments. They take their picture or selfie to show they have been there and then move on to the next location. These travelers usually don’t engage much with the local people or culture other than when they are making some kind of financial transaction. They might take in a traditional show or performance to experience some culture, but it is not personal. While there is nothing wrong with this kind of travel, it often misses the opportunities that travel can provide. However, this type of travel feels safe, and I have admittedly traveled this way. I have the pictures to prove it.

Another type of traveler is the destination traveler. This type of traveler is often looking for a specific destination or location they enjoy. For those in the US it is often a beach area in Mexico or the Caribbean. They may even go so far as to buy a vacation home or time-share in the location. They aren’t looking for variety, but a place where they feel they can relax.

Destination travelers are often in a position to learn much about the location they have chosen. Returning year after year allows them to gain a grasp of the food, culture and concerns of the area. Unfortunately it is also easy to protect oneself from all that. In many places visitors can stay at a resort where all their needs are met. What the resort offers is more like American culture than the culture around it. One might venture beyond the resort to go shopping or for a meal. Unfortunately, it’s easy to stay wrapped up in the safety of the resort and return home with little understanding of the culture of the area.

A third type of traveler travels to learn. He or she might be a college student out to experience the world. Alternatively she might be older but interested in a certain aspect of a culture such as cooking or the language of the country. While there are plenty of specific educational opportunities one can pay for, it doesn’t have to be costly. Taking advantage of museums or a local guide can provide one the opportunity to learn about the culture and peoples of the place one is visiting. While I am not necessarily a fan of tours, they do have some advantages. They usually have an experienced and educated guide who teaches a lot about the area one is visiting.

Adventure drives the vacation plans of a number of tourists. They are looking for places that allow them to test their limits in some way. This may be climbing a mountain, hurling down a river, or hiking into the depths of the jungle. For others the adventure may be less extreme but no less important. They may be looking for that unique bird they can cross off their list. Others may be trying to catch the big wave they have dreamed of or hurdle themselves down a steep run on skis. For these travelers it’s not so much about the culture or the people, but the adventure and adrenaline rush that it provides.

A common reason to travel is to do some kind of volunteer work in a country. That was my first experience of traveling as a college student. We went out as a part of our church to share with the churches in the various countries we visited. Often churches will have groups that go out as teams. They may do constructions projects, maintenance work, share with children, provide medical help, do training or any number of other activities. These types of opportunities are not limited to churches or religious organizations, however. There are a number of NGO’s that provide similar opportunities to be involved in helping those around the world. My daughter spend three months in Peru with such a group.

By now you have probably determined my bias for travel. While I have traveled a number of times to see places and sites to check them off my bucket list, it has been when I have engaged with the local people that I have found the most reward. Teaching has provided my main opportunity for this. Getting to know my students and the challenges they face in their local situations has been a real joy. They have helped give me a global perspective so that I am not so focused on my own country and situation. In a world where there seems to be so many barriers and conflicts, gaining that world perspective can be one of the most important values of travel.