“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - Augustine of Hippo
I was on a plane with some friends, on my way to London. We hadn't left the country by then, so we were so excited. I had the chance to sit beside a man who had traveled a lot before.
- The first time?
- What? I asked a little bit surprised.
- When you leave the country.
- Is it that obvious?
- Not really...I mean yeah, a little bit. You seem so nervous.
- Well, the first time when I am on a plane.
- Oh, I remember that. Kind of scary, but you get used to it.
My friends were somewhere in the back, so it was god to find someone to have a conversation with. We started to talk about traveling and all that stuff and I was so surprised about what he said.
- So, you've been to all those places?
- Yeah, I will never forget the sunrise in Malta, the sunset in Peru, the atmosphere in India, the food in China, the people in Canada, the lights in New York, the weather in London...
- Oh my God, but you've seen almost the whole world.
- Well, not really. There are still a lot of places. This world has too many beautiful places. I just hope to see as much as I can.
- This is unbelievable. I have been to a few in my country and now to London. But I don't think I could do something like that.
- Why not?
- Well...it is just...it depends on a lot of things: money, time...
won't say it is easy, you need a lot of things, but why not to travel? I mean you learn, go to college, then get a job, have a family and go to that job everyday, why not to go somewhere else from time to time? If you try, you can save some money and every year to try something new. Don't be afraid to want to discover. There's nothing like learning from experience.
It felt so great to listen to a man like that. It made me want to change my opinion about life and how every experience is a new beginning. In that moment I just wanted to go to my friends and tell them how this trip together is gonna be the first of so many others.
- But first of all, you have to know which is your dream city. Where do you want the most to go.
That was simple.I know that maybe it was a cliche, but it was all I ever dreamt about.
-Los Angeles.
-Oh, the city of angels. That is a good choice and an amazing city.
- You've been there?
- Yes and I will never forget that city. The beach, the air, the mixture between people, the nights, the american dream and the angels...oh the agitated angels. Only God knows what is hidden in their drunk hearts: passion, lust, dreams, love, hate, I can't tell. I can say that once you get there, you feel like you missed that place forever.
So, you will do what you want, but I just have to give an advice: Discover what is like to be a part of something different. Try new things. Learn from experience. Give yourself a break once in a while. Leave behind the technology and welcome the nature. Respect the others' traditions and lifestyle and so they will respect yours. Make friends everywhere, you don't know when you will come back there. And most important travel as much as you can, as long as you are young and share those things with the ones you love. There's nothing greater than that.
- I have to say that nothing had such an impact on me than these words.
- I know. I knew from the moment I saw how nervous you were. See, that passed.
He was right. Now I was more peaceful than ever. And I was ready to have the best adventures in life because you know what it is said: Why not traveling the world!