Things travelling has taught me

"Boredom can be a lethal thing on a small island." - Christopher Moore

The world is much bigger than we seem to think. With technology, the world appears just there, right within reach, everything at our fingertips - and in some ways, it is, but for the most part it really isn't.

Every time you step foot in someplace new you're still awed, still amazed at how it is possible that even though you've seen so much, there's still something new to see. That's pretty amazing.

Material things aren't always as great as they're made out to be. I say this because travelling makes you learn the importance of packing light, and packing things with multiple purposes. That means that you'll definitely need to cut some luxuries out of your packing, or you're gonna lug that 20-kilo trolley bag everywhere you go. And that's really not fun.

So you bring around only the bare essentials, each time learning more and more about what works best and what not to pack. Each time cutting more things out of your packing list, until you realise that there's only so many things you really need to carry with you.

It's a bit like life; as time goes on, we start learning that not everything is as hyped up as it seems at first to be. Eventually we realise the most important things are the ones we already carry within us, the things that are with us all the time, these bare essentials. A good, sound, positive attitude being the top of them all.

Sometimes you meet mean people, and that's alright. Not everyone you meet on the road is going to be friendly, but that's just how it is - they don't necessarily mean you any harm by it.

We really shouldn't over-think things. Thinking too much, planning too much - we spend more time worrying than making the actual journey. Quite literally, all this can make you miss the bus. You're stuck stranded in a place for longer than you wanted to be there for, and all you can do is wait for the next ride out - as long as you don't over think that one, too.

Sometimes, you've gotta just wing it.

Travelling helps you see the beauty in everything. I know that by now this is starting to sound a little bit Eat Pray Love, but I do believe this - if you are trapped forever on one tiny island and never get out, you'll never know and you'll never be able to appreciate just how much is out there.

If you don't get out, you'll never get to understand why different cultures do things the way they do, or to see pristine and unblemished pieces of nature. There is a difference between seeing something on TV and being there in front of it. It may not look as glamourous, but you will appreciate the rawness of being there in person.

When we travel and meet new people, we remark on things we find amazing that people who have grown up their entire lives around it dismiss. A girl from the light-polluted city marvels at the dark starry skies; the girl from the rural countryside never even notices the stars are there.

It makes you wonder what we're taking for granted in our everyday lives.

Above all, travelling has taught me about the generosity of the human spirit. Travelling has taught me that when you are a solo traveller, or even in a group, people will take care of you. There are mean people and there are good people - and the good people truly humble you with how much they will go out of their way for a stranger.

We are but individuals on a vast planet in a vast galaxy in an endless universe. If we don't take care of each other, who will?