5 Things Travel Has Taught Me
Published by Johnny on December 21, 2011
Traveling is a great lifestyle, everyday is an adventure but sometimes it can be frustrating, tiring and (at times) boring! That being said, I would never begin to truly moan because the more awesome opportunities that fine there way to me, the more I appreciate what this lifestyle has done for me – so let me self reflect on 5 things travel has really taught me:
1) How lucky I am: I’ve been to more than 50 countries around the globe, and I’ve come across the most abject poverty imaginable. I may not be rich in the western sense, but I’ve rarely not been able to afford my next meal, I’ve rarely had to worry about medical care and my education was predominantly affordable. More than that, I broke my leg a few years ago so I can’t play a 90 minute football match or run a marathon anymore and it used to make me feel so unlucky, I’d feel so sorry for myself, until a man in Bangladesh said to me “The man with no shoes feels lucky beside the man with no feet”. The says it all, if you’re privileged enough to be reading this, with your wifi and your laptop, you’re lucky, forget everything else.
2) How similar we are: Now I’m proud to say I’ve got lifelong friends from all walks of life, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and Christian, not to mention friends with every skin colour imaginable. Yet when I sit down and have dinner with everyone, and people share, joke, hug and cry over the same things – I truly realize that we all come from the same place, and we’re not so different after all.
3) How selfish western culture is: It pains me to admit this but I’ve seen a direct correlation between the wealth of the country I visit and the level of selfishness in their society. And although this is true across continents, I think it’s even more prominent in Western Europe and North America. Whether it’s through fear generated by the media, capitalism, advertising there’s no doubt in my mind that if I’m in need, I’m much more likely to be taken under someone’s wing in a poorer country than a wealthy one. And that’s a genuine shame.
4) How life’s about so much more than money: Watching kids play cricket with a stick and a stone in Sri Lanka with smiles beaming across their faces, or watching the joy in a families face when their husband returns from work, I think it’s arrogant of us (me) to suggest because we have aircon, shopping malls and iphones that we are one ounce happier than these people. Controversially, if anything, I’d suggest quite the opposite. We need to recalibrate what’s important in life, and genuine travel will do that for us.
5) “That happiness is only true when shared”: Alexander Supertramp got this one spot on. Solo travel is a great thing, it builds character and forces us to be open and warm but when push comes to shove I’d prefer to have my best mates/family/girlfriend standing beside me sharing that amazing sunset in the amazon, or the sight of the milky way in the Serengeti . It’s amazing on your own, it’s double amazing with a loved one.
This list could have easily been 10 times longer, and in time, I might well add to it. I wanted to talk about the skills I’ve been fortunate enough to pick up on the road. How speaking another language has allowed me to really integrate further into foreign cultures, working in different languages often require translation services, but when you can finally communicate freely – it’s a different world! I’ll try to add 6-10 in the coming weeks. Happy travels! =)
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quality post, love your #4! keep on being AWESOME!!!!
awwww thanks Tasia! =)
I’ve read somewhere that happiness comes in opposite proportion with the amount of money you have. Of course when you think of it, it makes sense, but we are too busy clinging to petty things, not to mention letting the opinions of others rule our lives. That is the biggest mistake anyone can make! And another word of wisdom
: happiness is the journey, not the destination 
hey joseph, nice to hear from u again mate =) i dunno where u read that quote, but i find it very difficult to disagree with. We get ‘taught’ whats important in life, but in reality we need to work it out for ourselves
Reading this post has brought back perspective again… I found myself complaining a few days ago… some stress, obviously.. Loving another post from u JW!
I had to admit I haven’t read anything on ur website lately, (catching up with family and friends made me so busy! lol) that’s why u’ll notice a couple or more comments from me! 
happy travels!!
catching up is no excuse tin!
no worries at all and thanks for reading and commenting =)
Thanks for sharing, Johnny! I think you make some great points. A lot of anthropological studies show how many 3rd world country tribes and village people are exponentially happier than those in industrialized countries.
Where are you off to next?
Brightest Blessings for the new year!
-HB
hey hilary, thanks for the comments – and agree totally =) off to korea tonight, just missed my flight! connecting again tomorrow lol
I love number 2 man! We are all from the same root. Nice that people like ourselves branch off and touch others.
hey fidel – thanks mate, it’s so true eh? I’m sure you can say exactly the same thing =)