It was a different Christmas this year — 2 weeks in Mauritius. Hot and sunny, with curry for lunch and dinner. Still lots of family and presents, but that’s the only similarity. We had contemplated the extravagance of taking a family of 5 on such a costly Christmas vacation. These thoughts quickly dissolved as we stepped off the airplane into the warm blanket of 28°C (82.5 F) heat, greeted by the smiling faces of our family for long overdue hugs and kisses. A week after returning, here are a few reminders about why travel is good for the soul.
Family time
People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the people they ignore at home. > Dagobert D. Runes As a family we’re so busy getting things done, with jobs, school, housework. And then there’s screens and social media. It’s amazing how little time we actually spend with — and talking to — each other. Leaving for another country encourages us to be more present and ‘in the moment’. We connected as a family and reminded ourselves of life’s priorities.
A life well lived
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sail. Explore. Dream. Discover. > Mark Twain There’s a transience associated with material things. Cars, clothes, and other toys. Shortly after buying them, we’re hunting around for the next ‘must have’ item. Not so with travel. This quote from Mark Twain reminds me of the permanence of travel, and how it fulfils us.
A different routine
I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted my routine. > Caskie Stinnett We create routines to make our lives easier and avoid the paradox of choice. But deciding what to do, or not do every day can be fun and rewarding. It engages the brain in creative ways. Simple things like a change of food was great for the children. Gateau Piment is their new favourite — with tomato salsa. Back at home we can’t get them to look at a tomato!
Time to reflect and be creative
Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind. > Seneca You get weekends away from work, but how often do we use the time to squeeze in other duties? Managing our energy reserves is often viewed as a luxury, but research shows us the opposite. Time off relaxing means we access the sub conscious, where much of the intellectual and creative heavy lifting is done.
Meet new people
A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles. > Tim Cahill For some, strangers are ‘friends they haven’t met yet’. Others view the experience with some understandable apprehension. Whichever way you see things, the benefits of meeting new people are the same. You’ll learn something new, improve your communications skills and increase your network. Plus, there’s a chance the next person you meet may turn out to be your best friend.
Broadens the mind
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. > Mark Twain Traveling removes us from our social echo chamber and encourages us to take a fresh look at the world. With politics, race, gender and other issues under the microscope, this must be a good thing. This holiday was a very welcome break from the shivering cold of the UK. But also a timely reminder of the benefits of travel, which reaffirmed our decision at 3Sixty to specialise in travel and tourism.