Travel is more than an adventure

There are so many myths that people believe about travel, I used to believe in some of them too before I embarked on my first journey. I remember as a teenager I  would admire people who would get opportunities to travel to other countries. By then the only journey that I had taken was to visit my grandparents in the other part of my country during holidays. As I grew older I got a deep desire to travel more and mostly outside the country, the dream of taking a big flight to a new country was more often my happy place.

Like many  I started believing in some of the myths that exist. Myths such as traveling is very expensive only the rich class can afford it; Traveling solo can be very dangerous and so only those in groups can do it, Only those who speak multiple languages can travel and enjoy; otherwise it’s not fun etc. But then a lot of questions would come through in my head: where can I get the money, how can I even plan my trip, where should I go? Do I really have that time for adventure fun? Perhaps I should use that time on my work and community. Then I got my first job in the crosscultural organization  and got to meet hundreds and thousands of volunteers coming from different parts of the world. Through my interaction with them I got inspired and exposed to the truth about travel, and that was then the end of me holding on to myths and starting my journey in travel.

I organized to get my first ever passport when I was 23 years of age then started a plan to conquer my fear. A year later I met a Kenyan friend and then used that friendship as an excuse to travel to the neighboring country, Kenya. I travel by a bus and it was super fun but what made it more fun was the fact that I learned that I could travel solo, meet new people, learn about the culture and open my eyes to new things. I spent 3 days in Kenya and I still remember that moment to this date. In the same year I took my first ever trip on  a flight. Ever since I have traveled to a total of 16 countries in the world and have been to some of the most iconic destinations and it’s been amazing thus far.

My best part of travel has been not only the adventure that comes with it which I love ofcourse but also the learnings and knowledge that I keep on gaining when  I travel. Travel has improved my career and now I am able to catch up with the world’s technological and cultural transitions. I have built very strong and meaningful networks and I have learned to be more grateful with what I have as there are others who don’t really have access to what I have. Nowadays, I have made it a goal to travel at least once every year to a new destination.

Here are some few fun facts about travel to stimulate your desire to travel as you prepare to go to your next destination:

• Italy has a free, public wine fountain
• 60% of the lakes on earth are located in Canada
• 600 people work at the Eiffel Tower daily
• Jet lag feels worse if you travel from west to east
• Great Wall of China’s strength comes from sticky rice
• The best part of your trip is actually in the planning and preparation phase
• Nearly 30% of Tanzania is National Parks.
• What makes Zanzibar different from other tropical island destinations is the eclectic mix of sun, sea, sand and spice.

Remember travel is more than adventure so now select your dream destination whether local or international, prepare your passport and start planning for your next trip and build lifelong memorable experiences.

Written by: Jessica P. Shayo