Travel

Hello all you lovely people!

It's Monday! Yay! Haha. I know. As much as I love my weekends, I've realized I'm not as energetic and productive during those days. I just want to lay around and do nothing at all. Not very good for losing weight (hmm). I dread having to do anything at all on the weekend. I wonder why that is though. That's how Ankit should feel but I think I feel it way more than he does. 

It's Monday morning (and I'm so not a morning person) but there's something about waking up early and preparing breakfast and lunch for Ankit and sending him to work. I've noticed, I only clean the house, do the dishes, exercise, write my blog, go out for a walk, draw, etc etc on the weekdays. How weird is that? I don't even bother drawing on the weekend; and I love drawing! I feel better when I know I've managed to do a good day's work; that helps me sleep better. 

But there is something that I always look forward to. Travelling. I'm blessed to have a husband who feels the same way about travelling. I absolutely love discovering new places and learning new cultures. I'm looking forward to my upcoming trip to Hawaii for our first anniversary. I've been reading guide books, watching documentaries, planning what to pack, where to go, what to eat, etc etc. 

I think everyone should have one new place to visit every year. Ankit and I just got married so there are lots of things we still need to figure out. Buying a house, moving our parents here, planning a family, etc etc. We would have probably traveled way way more (and we already travel a lot!). But one day, when we are both free and retired, I'm going to put up a huge map of the world on the wall, throw darts at it and go wherever the darts hit. 

I want everyone who reads this post to know how important it is to travel; to go and have an adventure. It will fill you up, help you grow, help you see the world differently, help you see your own country differently, make you appreciate the little things in life that you don't generally notice. Meet new people, learn their language, learn their culture, and appreciate the diversity of the world. Different cultures have different beliefs and once you have exposed yourself to it all, your mind will grow and make you wiser. Some may be very different and some may just be like you. You will learn to love everyone and the world will suddenly not look so big and scary anymore. You will learn more, know more, and live much more.

I found this quote on the internet and felt that the person who wrote it was on the same page as me:

When you visit a new country or place, don't just look to stay in luxurious hotels that meet your needs. Go out of your comfort zone and stay closer to the locals. Learn their ways. Be careful but be adventurous. You'll never quite see the place and enjoy being in a "new" place if you don't go beyond the "touristy spots" or 5-star hotels. Nice hotels will give you what you are already used to and make you feel comfortable. But you will never quite learn the culture. There's no point going to a new country if you are going to spend your time in a fancy hotel. You might as well book a nice hotel room in your own state (wherever you are) and spend time there. It'll be the same anyway. Get out of your box. Go to the local markets, eat the local cuisine (even if you get sick). It'll be an experience you'll never forget. 

When life's monotony begins to get to you, just go somewhere. Grab your stuff, pick up your keys and just go somewhere. Everyone needs a break. Everyone needs to make new friends. Everyone needs to feel enriched. Everyone needs to make memories. Everyone needs to grow. Go somewhere.

To end this post, I found this quote online from Chris McCandless. I saw his movie with Ankit last year and just couldn't understand why he would throw his life away and travel. I think I understand now.

I hope you find your joy.
Best wishes.
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