If my mom’s English was good enough and she read this post, she would probably not talk to me for a long time. My mother-in-law lovingly called us “traveling fools.” And I get it. I am sure their generation in general grew up on different values. House, car, furniture, jewelry and savings were all of paramount importance and a natural way of showing your status in life, your progression, your achievements. Don’t get me wrong, all of this is still important (and I wish more people could afford all the material pleasures of this life without sacrifices and budget planning). However, my generation is starting to progressively shift towards a different mindset – where experiences matter more than things. The priorities are shifting from collecting things to collecting experiences.
My husband and I are just another couple with average income making most of our lives and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Given the choice and budget constraint, I’d rather drive a Honda, but vacation four times a year, than say no to travel and spend next 10 years paying off 100K Mercedes to show my status. We also agreed early on that we’d rather splurge on a date night at a 3 Michelin star restaurant than spend money on exchanging gifts.
You might call me an addict, and you might be right about that. Although, I prefer to call it passion. Either way, the symptoms are clear: I feel like I’m suffocating if I stay in one place for more than three months; I need regular weekend getaways (near or far); I plan my vacations one to two years out; I do meticulous research and prepare detailed itineraries for every trip; CondeNast Traveler, Culture Trip, National Geographic and Travel + Leisure have turned into my bibles; I also frequent websites like booking.com just to daydream of the wonderful destinations around the world.
So, why do I choose to invest in travel versus things? The reasons are simple:
BROADEN MY PERSPECTIVE
As Mr. Twain once rightly pointed out, travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Two years in Haiti opened my mind in a totally different level. You might see the hardship of developing countries on TV, but until you experience it first-hand you cannot truly appreciate the every-day struggles of people who live there. Thankfully, our living conditions in Haiti were nothing like those living in an absolute poverty. However, I started appreciating even the simplest things like paved roads, traffic lights, grocery stores, movie theatres and shopping malls – basically, everything I took for granted before.
MEET NEW PEOPLE
Seeing the main sights of the destination is not enough for me. It honestly blows my mind how some people live in a foreign country for years and don’t have any local friends. I don’t think you can really learn anything about the country or its culture without interacting with locals. I think I’m the richest person because I have friends all over the world, because multicultural engagement is key to understanding the beauty of this world. Besides meeting locals of the host country, travel also gives opportunity to interact with other nationalities and learn a little bit about their culture. Every person that you cross paths with during your travels has a story to tell.
EXPERIENCE NEW CULTURES
Whether it was a luau night in Hawaii, climbing The Great Wall of China, overnight in a Buddhist temple in Japan, diving in St. Kitts, sumo tournament in Tokyo, or dune-bashing in Dubai – the possibilities of immersing into local culture at your new destination are endless, and the thrill of experiencing how people of other nations live and experience the same things that make their hearts tick is incomparable. As you trot the globe in pursuit of new smells, sights and sounds, the extent of your understanding of the world around you and of new cultures that are different from yours broadens and enriches you.
TASTE NEW CUISINE
It’s no secret I love good food and I always make an effort to try local cuisine everywhere I travel. No matter how much people try to recreate food it never tastes as good as in its original country, simply because the local produce and spices cannot be replicated anywhere else. Thai food will never be as good as that in Thailand, or Indian as mouthwatering as in India. I still remember our mind-blowing food tour in San Juan, when we savored the local specialties while touring the beautiful cobble-stoned streets. Our latest favorite was sampling Sichuan cuisine in the most unassuming little eatery in a random Chinese village on our way to the Forbidden City. It was cheap, simple, yet so so good.
TO NOT LOOK BACK AND WONDER, WHAT IF?
Life’s too short, and at the end of the day, the only “thing” that will stay with me forever, are all the adventures and sweet memories I made with my loved ones. I don’t want to put off anything that I can do today, this month or this year. I don’t want to look back in regret and say I wish I went there, or done this. Honestly, I don’t think this travel bug will ever go away. I will always have that itch to pack my bags and book the next flight out. I don’t think there is right or wrong answer to living your life. Doing what feels right now is probably the best answer, because we don’t know what tomorrow holds.
What are your thoughts on travel vs. things?
Which one would you pick if you had to choose?
Linking up with Monthly Travel Link-up, Faraway Files & Wanderful Wednesday.
xoxo, nano
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totally agree and experience the same… often my family doesn’t understand why I would exchange Christmas presents with my boyfriend – we prefer to give each other experiences, not material gifts! experiences and travel are so much more meaningful (at least to me, and you!) than anything else…. great to read a like minded blog
I agree, travel is so important for our lives. Lovely post.
Love this blog. Only travelers can understand.
Check out my blog as well: Sethravels.com
Love this! I completely agree with it and would love to travel more!
Lovely post! So glad to have found ur blog :) We are an indian couple who loves and lives to travel the world..we often get stares from our elders who think we are wasting a lot of money on travels..but we know its the best investment :) do check out our blog http://josestraveltales.com/
Thanks for sharing, verry helpful blog…clever post I’ll follow your advice thanks.
https://www.bookotrip.com/vacations/bahamas-vacation-package
I would love to travel more when I’m older, and you just explained exactly why! :)
Couldn’t agree with you more! This post definitely describes every reason why I strive to travel! :D
street corner food is good choice though, what you think Nano?
hahh!! i agreed with you traveling investment is some thing most valuable and worthwhile then investing in home appliances or in investing shopping etc. I love traveling fools and want to meet a traveling fool like me but female version ;) like this content and pleased to read about your travel interests, best of luck to both of you.
I loved reading this post, it accentuates the very reason I began to travel
i love this post!! I am definitely agree. Still trying to find my way to four vacations a year!! its hard to be patient when you feel like you are wasting your youth on urban slavery. Not to be too personal but do you guys have flexible jobs or self employed?
Hello, everyone, hope you’re having a great day!
I’d really appreciate If you checked out my blog and gave me some feedback or even better some criticism.
https://waveboundblog.wordpress.com/
Blogs topics will be centered around travel, different facts and many more interesting stuff.
Thanks for support in advance!
I was so happy to read this post. I’ve just moved to Singapore to study for a year and have every intention of travelling to as many places as possible and experiencing as much as possible. The idea of “buy less, live more” is one that I am trying to teach myself, so it is great to hear how the fruits of my labours might pay off years down the line. Thank you!
Good article. Traveling is the best kind of Investment!
Reblogged this on Journal Edge and commented:
Article source: travelwithnanob.com
Great read. I only buy things that are a bargain. Travelling always a bargain so why not just travel. You get so much more from exploring! I’m currently in Nigeria and am due to go to Germany and Budapest before the year is out.
I really loved this post. You are so inspiring and I really love your images. Cheers to all the dreamers and dream achievers!
Experiences matter when your time comes, not things. Love this article! Great job!
I agree… great post
Thank you!
I couldn’t have said it better!
I’m fortunate enough to have parents that share my opinion on traveling and even encourage me to be more ‘out-there’, experience more and immerse myself in new, other cultures. Thanks to them I’ve already been to places like Kenya and Sri Lanka before finishing high school and it has broadened my horizons so much.
Loved your article!
( http://timnapichler.wordpress.com)
How wonderful, looks like you’ve had awesome experiences so far. Thank you for reading! xx
nice post
I so agree with this post. OMG you said it all. I’m cheap on other things, like gadgets and handbags, because I save most of my $$$ for travel. I also need to be somewhere every month. Totally on point!
I totally agree! Life is too short and travel experience and memories are priceless.
absolutely amazing, earning less matter than creating memories!
I absolutely love this. I am in my early 20s and myself and my boyfriend have the same mindset. I think that in this day and age there is a huge divide between people who love materialistic things and those who would rather spend their paycheck exploring the world.
well written.!
Hey there! I’m new to blogging, but not to travel. I’ve had many similar conversations with friends and family. Strangers have asked me if I’m wealthy, since I travel so much. I simply have a different priority set. Keep living life! Best of luck!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I love traveling and cannot wait for the experiences I have planned ahead!
I love your perspective on traveling! I love to travel as well, but I am lucky enough to not have to go too far. I live in the beautiful state of North Carolina where the beach is 2 hours east and the mountains are 3 hours west.
Keep up the good work! :)
You ate so lucky! :)
Hi there!
You have beautifully summed up why travel is like oxygen to our self absorbed and sedentary lifestyles. Really liked the perspectives on this post. Cheers from India! Keep enligthening us! :)
Reblogged this on AiA.
Same here! We spend our money on vacation rather than gifts and such. Travel has been a huge part of our lives together and we wouldn’t trade that for anything else.
That is so wonderful!
😜👍🏼
You have perfectly summed up why I love travel, and why it is good for us. For me, traveling makes me grow and learn new things, meet new people and experience cultures I always dreamed about. I think traveling is so important. Great post! Loved it.
So many people always say, “I wish I had the money to travel like that,” when really it’s all about priorities! If you truly want to travel so badly, you will make it happen, it will be you’re investment! Like you said, it gives you so much of a broader perspective on life and gives you far better happiness than any THING can.
I love this piece :) Keep up the good vibes and good work!
Couldn’t agree more! Experiences matter most – I spend my time saving up for travel not ‘things’ :)
Inspiring post!
xx
https://colourpotblog.wordpress.com/
Woow so good ,soo true
Travelling enlightens your soul 😊
I feel I can’t travel anywhere without Avi my husbnd;in fact I have never thought of solo trip because I fell it’s better when I am with him.
Travelling as a couple is an Amusement 😎
http://thefootloosecouple.com/2017/07/travelling-with-partner/
Thanks !
Travelling! The best cure for all pain and struggles :D. I really like your post!
Totally agree with this! I used to be so caught up with material things that I became really self conscious and always wondering where my money went. Spending money and time on traveling and experiences can give you so things that money can’t buy.
Hi Nano! Nice to meet you through blog walking. I have similar opinion too. I wonder, do you have kid(s)? One of my reasons choose not to have children is because I want to spend lots of time traveling, without worrying about kids back home. Do you think the same?
Hi there! Nope, no kids yet. But definitely want to have children, I don’t think it will be a problem to travel with them. :)
I think this article raises a really good point on how the perspective we take on what constitutes success and fulfilment is so directly linked to ow happy we are. If we see our aims in life as a wealth of material things its going to be much harder and more boring to achieve than if we place the value on experiences. Experiences can be free, its as simple as taking in the beauty of where you are right now and experiencing what others may see as ordinary as a privilege.
really cool post.
my thought exactly. There is so much more out therethan meets the eye. Personally believe that is really health and needed at least to a certain extent to grow as a individual and and truly get a grasp on the world that surrounds you. Phenominal post!
Hi, Nano! I completely LOVE your writing style, and LOVE your writing style even more! I completely agree, if not now, then when? My parents have always been against my love for traveling. I was wondering if you would be interested in participating in a travel blogging challenge with me? I would love to hear more of your stories from there! :)
Good stuff 👌🏽
I couldn’t agree more! Traveling has taught me so many lessons that are invaluable. I’ve had to make sacrafices to travel, but it has always been worth it.
YES! It is always so much worth it, isn’t it?! Thank you for reading ☺️
yes, i am working on article that says – what i comprise for travelling, Totally get ur point
That would be interesting to read!
I hear you ! I would trade anything for travel !
I’m glad I’m not alone :)