Week 3: My Two Cents on Traveling

We all have our passions and hobbies in life. For some, gardening is what gives them the relaxation they need to cope with a stressful life. For others, watching their favorite sports team gives them something to do on the weekends and something to talk about with friends and co-workers. I love sports and I hate gardening. If I had to name one of the many things I enjoy doing in life, aside from watching my favorite sports team, traveling would be at the top of my list.

Throughout the years I have done some traveling, not as much as I would like to have, and not nearly as much as some of my relatives have, but every new place I went to provided me with a new and rewarding experience.

In order to get the most out of my trips, I try to keep an open mind and I try to be prepared for any unexpected delays or cancellations. When things do not work the way I planned, I do get a little frustrated for a while, but then I just go with the flow and I try to come up with alternative solutions. It sure beats being at the office, even if some of your planned sightings or events fall through.

Aside from planes or train schedules, I do not believe in schedules when I am on vacation. While it is somewhat important to cover the main attractions, schedules kill spontaneity. I live on a schedule 24/7 for most of the year, and there is a lot planning already going into planning a trip. So, when I go to a new place, I know beforehand some of the sites I would like to see, but if something more interesting pops up, I have no problem in revising my plans. I know some folks who travel a lot, and they plan every step of the way, from the moment they step out of the house to when they fly back home. To each its own, as I always say, but that kind of trip leaves very little to the imagination. That sounds to me like a task that needs to be accomplished, rather than a trip that should be enjoyed. I also do not go to a new place just to add it to a list of places I have visited; I go to a new place to experience something new -- a new culture, a new cuisine, a new city, and a new country.