Why Travel?

It's 3:30 am right now and I find myself thinking a lot of things - the decision I made a few weeks ago (which for some seems to be irrational and stupid), workload, and my upcoming travel which I think would be one of the most daring things that I will do (just thinking of it brings back the butterflies in my stomach). All those 3 things are brought about by my huge passion on this thing called traveling :)

So really, why do I travel?
I travel to satisfy curiosity.
I wanted to see, hear, feel, smell, and touch a place that I've never been to before, places that I've only read in books and seen on television. Just like a child who goes into the woods to find out what lies in it, I go out to explore firsthand what the rest of the world looks like.

I wanted to find out how other culture differs from mine and how similar we can be.
I wanted  to taste the exotic dishes of other countries, not from posh restaurants, but on places where locals usually flock to satisfy their gastronomic cravings.
I wanted to hear their language, their distinct accent, and as to how these qualities make them connect to one another.
I wanted to find out how the rain/sun/snow feels in that place.
I wanted to LEARN more than what books, TV shows, and internet can give.

I travel to learn more about myself.
Cliche.
But yes, I travel to learn more about myself because I believe there's more to learn.
I wanted to push my limits and see how I cope.
Traveling has become more than just seeing places, it has become a personal teacher.

I travel simply because it's my passion.
Other than helping other people, traveling is one of those things that I won't grow tired of doing. My love for it goes beyond words and grows as I explore more. And when you're passionate into something, you'll go out of your way to make it happen - no ifs, no buts.

You see, traveling is a conscious decision, same as chasing your dreams. You don't wake up one day and find yourself traveling without even doing anything. You have to make that conscious decision to really DO it.

I have my own fair share of sacrifices, both in work and personal aspects, to give way for this passion. In the past, I used to doubt these decisions but looking back, I think I made the right choices.

Becoming a full-time traveler may not be on my list yet (as I'm also pursuing a career) but I believe that in traveling, it doesn't matter where you go, how you do it, and for how long.

If your soles are itching to go somewhere else, DO IT. Today is the oldest and the youngest that you can be.