In addition to your school & university degree, your work experience, TRAVEL features up there on the list as one of the best contenders for being “a real teacher”. I learnt it and now I always say to others that, rather than learning about somebody or something from someone else, it is always better to experience it yourself, to the extent possible. There are myriad things travel taught me over the years & I am only giving below the most basic & sensible ones, to help some of you to get on & pick up your backpack. I will surely hope that someday we will share our travel lessons as well.
7 Most Basic & Sensible Things Travel Taught Me
1) Boosts Your Confidence
This is me after completing 83 hours in India's longest train !!
One of the first things travel taught me & made me realize is that it can really boost anybody’s confidence level. No matter whether you are travelling for the first time or you have travelled multiple times, it will indeed make you feel a bit better. There is going to be a feeling somewhere that you can do this, you can manage in an unknown territory on your own, that you know quite a few things how they work. Yes, initially it can be daunting when you haven't had an exposure but once you start getting to know things, it’s a wonderful feeling to have !
This is perhaps one of my best travel teachings !
2) We Are All Pretty Much Same
No matter where we live and what profession we are in, I have seen the basic requirements of living remain the same… To care for family & overall well-being, to be successful, to provide all the amenities possible for your children, to feel loved — they all remain same, whether you live in India or Australia. I am sure things won’t change one bit anywhere. We are not different from eachother.
We all live in pretty much in the same boat. People are the same !
3) It Helps When You Earn In USD or GBP
Some currencies have an edge (at present) !
I used to have an Indian Passport. While I am proud of India & it's culture, I realized that the Indian Rupee conversion wasn’t really worth boasting about. Ever since I moved to Australia about 7 years ago & now that I have an Australian passport, the dollars help !
Carrying AUD or USD or GBP, you suddenly feel visiting any of the Asian or South American countries is astonishingly affordable. In that way, there have been innumerable times when I felt I missed a large chunk of something that could have enabled me to visit a lot more countries sooner.
Do note that I am not taking inflation into account here. These days I also realize that even if I convert my Australian dollars in India, the actual price of a lot of products is the same. :)
4) Your Own Country is Uniquely Awesome
A fully-loaded truck in India !
One of the best things travel taught me. Exploring other countries is a feel good factor no doubt, to see the beauty that it has to offer — something which probably isn’t there in your own country. But that should never stop you from exploring your own place first. Isn’t the above picture unique ? I cannot imagine any other country allowing such truck loads of material being transported from point A to point B, irrespective of the distance.
So, come to think of it, how much of INDIA do I really know ? How much have I travelled within my own country ? Do I know the different cultures that exist here ? India, for example, is the 7 biggest land mass in the world and is the most populated. That is pretty big in size and with so many people of different race & religion, each having their own customs & practices, it makes it actually so wonderful to be getting to first-hand experience. For example, playing Holi in Vrindavan or the snow-clad mountains up north to the beautiful temples down south. What say guys ?
5) Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
At Amer Fort, Jaipur in May 2017
Shardul & I at Coombabah Lakeland Reserve, Gold Coast in April 2024
Every time I am somewhere away from my wife & son, I realized I grew fond of them. I started appreciating them more and their love for me, appreciate the fact that they never discourage me in achieving my bucket-list and for managing — for those many days that I am away — without me. Not all spouses can do that ! I am a witness to people in my close circle appreciating my wife, for being such a sport. While she hates travelling, she encourages me to pursue my hobby & wants me to make this travel blog very popular one day. I am so proud of her.
6) Excuses Are The Only Hindrances, Nothing Else
Take the first step !
I don’t travel even half of that of the frequent flyers. Considering my profession, there was never a chance for me to travel much on any of the official trips, paid for by the organizations I worked for. My job was not like that of a Pilot / Cabin Crew / Marketing Director etc where you get to see places for free (if time permits), courtesy your job role (credit to them for choosing the right profession). So I have had to travel on my own, with my own money all the time. I still do it. But whatever I do & wherever I go, you cannot believe how many people in my circle have called me up saying how much they like what I do & how they wish they could do it too ! There is a second category of people too, who do not understand why I do it and what is going to be the eventual outcome.
My response to the former is typically 3 words “WHAT STOPS YOU ?” I guess only because we are so engrossed in our domestic lives, other financial priority and the fact that most of us, especially us Indians, feel the need to save money for the future, we end up only thinking about making travel plans but also feel it's a bit exaggerated / not necessary / feel see in near future and eventually drop it.
However, when these people in my circle do come to talk to me on my travels, I feel nice about what I am doing. This for me is like a hobby outside of my full-time employment and in a way necessary to have something in my life, other than work & career.
"Our excuses are the only hindrances and nothing else" — is one of the most basic but critical things travel taught me.
7) Maintain Your Own Travel Style
Do you like to travel slow or are you agenda-driven ?
Different people have different travelling styles. Some go on vacation to see the places they have wanted to see since long, some go to relax & unwind and aren't really fussed about visiting a plethora of tourist attractions. I have also seen some who literally carry a pen & a paper, with all the attraction spots written on it. They reach, they start ticking boxes.
Now I get it that there could be a lot of factors involved on why people follow a certain style, including their budget, professional commitments & not really having that luxury of extended time off work, or some are not even interested in exploring but their trip is only for posting their pictures on social media. TO EACH HIS OWN !
Most often, my first day of arrival in any new city is spent in my hotel room. I venture out only in late evenings, stroll nearby area, see the market & shops, eat local food street-side. I NEVER KEEP ANY AGENDA ON MY DAY OF LANDING. Travel for me is not about ticking places off, to then tell the world that yeah, I visited the place (for name sake). Travel for me is all about exploring whatever I want to, my way… slowly… And I don’t mind leaving a few good places. After all, it gives me a chance to come back again.
There's no right or wrong answers here. Stick to what you like the best and enjoy whatever time you are away.
Do let me know if you have already learnt any other awesome things travel taught you, would be glad to hear !
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