I get asked this question more than you would think. Some friends of mine don’t travel farther than the Jersey Shore for a week or two every summer. Some have never left our home state of Pennsylvania. Some expound excuses: too expensive, too far, too much hassle and my favorite “I don’t want to go anywhere else, I have everything I need right here.” My response to this last excuse is usually something like “Being content and being fulfilled are very different things.” But this usually falls on deaf ears. So let me make my case here.
Travel because the world is full of mystery, because the Earth has glorious secrets shrouded from the multitudes. Travel for the people you would never meet at home. Soak in their ideas, culture, and values. People from other cultures have passions about things we take for granted. I have learned the value of many things I thought were insubstantial in this world while I was traveling. Travel for the feeling of independence. It’s a great feeling when you’ve accomplished a great task, be that climbing in the Rockies or living for a week in a country where you don’t speak the language. Travel for the food. Taste the complexity of French wine, or the sweet nectar of Canadian maple syrup, or savor a three hour meal where each course is more delectable than the last. Travel for the sights. There is only one Grand Canyon, only one Niagara Falls, only one Tower Bridge, Statue of Liberty (well actually there are three, but not like the one in New York), Coliseum, Eiffel Tower, San Francisco Bridge, Blarney Stone, the list goes on and on. Travel for an event like the running of the bulls, or a rocket launch, the World Series, a formula one race, a Broadway play, or a breakfast with the Disney Princesses.
I agree some travel is very expensive, but sometimes it can be very economical. Plan something in advance, even if it’s that trip to the beach. Try a different beach that is supposed to be amazing. Try a beach in a different state, or even a different continent. Start small, and start local. I can say that because for me travel is more about the experience than the length of the plane ride. A half hour car ride to a festival can be very inspiring if you plan the journey, which is a lot of fun in itself.
Why travel? My best answer, because we’re only here once. Live life and soak up a world full of experiences, here, there and everywhere. Carpe Diem - Seize the day
Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 65mm f/7.1 ISO 100 1/500 sec