The Best Way to Travel: First Be Self-Aware
When you travel abroad, consider the inward journey first.
Who are you, and why are you traveling? What benefit do you hope to receive? And, more significantly, what impact do you wish to have through your travel experience? And why?
Some travel is for practical purposes. Case in point: My husband and I have just spent five days in Costa Rica. This is our first time here. We came to Costa Rica for me to undergo stem cell therapy for my knees. (So far, so good!)
Sometimes the WHY of travel abroad is practical, yes. But sometimes it is for visiting friends or family, sight-seeing, education, or business. In the midst of any and all travel abroad, I believe there are three vital questions we should consider each and every time we travel.
(1) Who am I?
Okay, this sounds basic and not so travel-specific. But, this is the place from which we should take off before we actually lift off for any journey. If we are traveling simply to “find ourselves,” we may end up quite disappointed. The answers are not always “out there” but, rather, at the center of our beings.
Yes, travel experiences can inform and enlighten. But if you rely on exotic travel to bring purpose and meaning to your life, you will most surely run into a dead end.
Travel can be thrilling, for sure. But it also can be stressful and empty, especially if you are bringing your stressful and empty self to it.
Travel as escape often leads nowhere.
If you travel with a ruthless self-awareness of both your positive and negative characteristics — both personal and cultural — you will gain so much more from the experience. This is because it will produce a humility within, a learner’s heart and mind.
And when you have that? Well, it is priceless — both for travel, and for life.
(2) What does my attitude & behavior communicate (ABC)?
Too often, we fail to ask ourselves this question when traveling abroad. We tend to swim in the waters of our own culture even as we move through another. We view what’s happening around us in the new culture through our own set of lenses. Our own set of what’s right and what’s wrong. Our own likes and dislikes.
Getting outside ourselves is really, really hard! I confess, I’m not an expert at this — just some sojourner attempting to do it better each time.
Still, as an American at this point in time, I am acutely aware of the oversized influence — sometimes good, sometimes bad — my nation has on this world. I desperately want to be a moderating element.
I know the stereotypes: America is BIG, LOUD and PROUD. I don’t like that, and I don’t want my presence and behavior to communicate or reinforce that stereotype, whether at home or abroad.
But another stereotype is this: Americans are friendly, kind and generous. Those are characteristics I do want to communicate in an appropriate manner in the context of whatever culture I’m in.
Ultimately, I seek to be a bridge-builder between and among cultures. This is true at home and abroad. This matters to me.
(3) How can I better understand the people around me?
When we travel abroad, our minds seem to be running a million miles (or kilometers!) a minute, attempting to sort through the behavior all around us to find order, structure and understanding.
Of course, we need that. But we should not stop there. Going deeper — trying to understand why people around us behave as they do — is vital for the self-aware and savvy traveller.
While stereotypes may inform us and act as guideposts for our journey, we should be wary of relying upon them. They often impede our real sight.
Instead, read and learn what you can about the history, language and culture of the country. This helps you become a more informed and sensitive traveller. Having a learning posture also helps us to be humble; we realize how much we really don’t know and have to learn.
A Personal Example
Por ejemplo, on this trip we encountered the Costa Rican national holiday of Juan Santamaría Day on April 11th. Santamaría is officially recognized as the hero of his country. The international airport bears his name. I realized I should learn something about him.
Santamaría played a key role in preventing American William Walker’s attempt to take over several nations of Central America to feed the U.S. slave trade around the time of the U.S. Civil War (1850’s).
Does it matter for me to know this? Since all Costa Ricans have Santamaría in their heritage, knowing about him serves as a valuable connecting point with everyone I meet.
In that way, it’s immensely valuable.
Don’t Forget the Three Questions Next Time You Travel Abroad:
- Who am I?
- What does my attitude & behavior communicate (ABC)?
- How can I better understand the people around me?
Try asking yourself these three questions next time you travel abroad. Answer them well. And see how they impact your experience.
Copyright 2018 © by Caroline DePalatis. All rights reserved.
This is Day 13 of my 333 Writing Challenge (30-days, 300+ words, 3-points), inspired by fellow writer Dene Ward. (863 words today.)
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