Exploring the globe is invigorating, offering countless novel experiences and broadening our understanding of diverse cultures, people, and places, which ultimately enriches our lives.
Upon completing my education and embarking on my university journey, accompanied by a part-time job, I realized two important things: first, I could prepare my own meals, and second, I could afford occasional trips to new and intriguing destinations. Immediately, this spurred me to explore various flight options and destinations…
During my university tenure, I had the opportunity to explore various European nations, including Florence, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Brussels. However, financial constraints combined with a desire for further exploration resulted in my reluctance to revisit locations.
Ultimately, this mindset posed a significant challenge.
Throughout my university years, I indulged in numerous glossy publications discussing “bucket lists,” leading me to undervalue the significance of revisiting a destination. Gaining new experiences became a point of pride for me, and I often determined not to return to places I had previously explored. While this impulse is not entirely negative — it encourages exploration and the discovery of new destinations — dismissing a location based solely on a previous visit can be limiting.
It’s entirely understandable to refrain from revisiting a destination you did not find enjoyable, yet that was never the case for me.
Fast forward a few years, and I was eventually convinced by a diverse group of friends to return to a location for a second time. That location was Amsterdam.
“Ugh, not again?” I recall thinking. I found myself grappling with the notion that returning was a waste of time, as I envisioned my time could be spent better in Barcelona, a destination I’d always wished to experience.
Fortunately, life experiences often impart more wisdom than preconceived notions. The habit of treating travel as a checklist resulted in missing out on the beauty of familiar places. The essence of travel is its ever-changing nature — locations evolve, populations shift, and new experiences continually emerge.
Travel is fundamentally about the memories we forge and the experiences we cherish. My recent sojourn to Amsterdam marked my ninth visit to this vibrant city, and I eagerly anticipate the prospect of my tenth visit. I have learned to appreciate the value of experiencing rather than simply going through a transient checklist of destinations without genuinely absorbing their essence.
Travel is inherently enjoyable, consistently thrilling, occasionally challenging, and forever evolving.
