“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”~ Saint Augustine. The moment one leaves the bubble of Peachtree City, the limitless world is open before them, waiting to be discovered. Travel is whatever a person makes it, but the opportunity to travel allows one to open up his or her eyes to how the world really is.
“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see”~ Gilbert K. Chesterton. There is a distinct difference between a traveler on a trip and a tourist on vacation. Tourists tend to be content to be conservative, simply enjoying themselves and visiting the main attractions. Travelers are more adventurous, straying away from the touristy areas and seeking more meaningful travel experiences. Probably the most rewarding type of travel is a combination of both.
When I had the chance to go to the Caribbean island of Aruba with my family this summer, I noticed that most tourists stayed by the main hotels, beaches and shops located close to the capital of Oranjestad. Of course, the picturesque, white sand beaches and clear turquoise water were heavenly, but what truly made the trip enriching was straying off the beaten path–literally.
I will never forget snorkeling off the coast at the Antilla, the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean. Staring down into the dark waters surrounding the German freighter held an air of historical mystery, making me wonder what occurred on the vessel when it was sailing the seas long ago. Also, driving off road in the desert-like national park let us see sights not found in our travel guide, such as wild goats and a well-hidden military practice station. If we had stayed on shore, on road and near hotel paradise, we would have missed so much.
“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled”~ Mohammed. One can learn a lot from books and studying, but actually immersing oneself in history and culture is far more enjoyable. World history teacher Mark Kienast, who went on a 2004 student trip to seven European countries said, “Actually going to where history was made, such as Alsace and Lorraine in France, is a surreal experience.”
Going to a foreign country if one ever has a chance is especially rewarding, as most times one gets to experience a wholly different part of the world, culturally and linguistically. Junior Monica Jamison, who went on a mission trip to Honduras’ capital, Tegucigalpa, said, “Playing with the children at the church was eye-opening and helped me practice my Spanish with young native speakers.” Sophomore Leah Slepian, who went to Israel several times, said, “It was surprising to see how much the Israelis’ lives are similar to our own and also how Israel is a blend of the very modern and extremely ancient.”
Traveling with family is great, but going with a group from church or school or athletics can be just as much or even more fun. Senior Ashley Young, who went to Italy and France last summer with a small group from McIntosh led by history teacher Wendy Weaver, said, “I learned so much and got to see amazing places like the Colosseum, the Vatican, Pompeii, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. I would definitely recommend traveling with EF Tours and Wendy on a school-sponsored trip because everything is planned for you; all you have to do is show up and enjoy the experience!”
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are”~ Samuel Johnson. We all have some sort of idea of what we think a place is like, but only by going there can we discover if reality matches our expectations. We all dream of going to spectacular destinations, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Sphinx in Egypt. We all want to seek out the stunning scenes we see in glossy travel magazines, but traveling also gives us the chance (or burden) to see the darker side of a region that is often hidden from common tourism.
Having lived in Brazil and traveling there often to visit family, I can say that the country is indeed as beautiful as many people believe it to be. The view from the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro is unforgettable, and so is the fiery red -orange sunrise on the muddy waters of the Amazon River. However, away from the popular tourist areas, there is a lot to be seen that is not so wonderful. Passing by the favelas (slums) by car and simply seeing how people build homes out of any material they can find, such as brick, cardboard, aluminum, plastic and wood, makes a person’s heart sink. One begins to understand a part of society that could never be fully realized just from hearing about it. Many things have to be seen to be truly understood.
“To travel is to live”~ Hans Christian Andersen. Every day we get out of bed and go through our daily routine. Travel gives us the glorious opportunity of escaping the monotony of our normal lives and leading a temporary adventure away from our far-too-familiar home. Travel gives us the freedom to combine the quest for world knowledge with unquestionable enjoyment and memories that will last a lifetime.
