"He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.”

How wonderful would it be if that were true of all travelers? How comforting would it be if we all returned from a holiday knowing  that we have been changed  by and have (in a positive way) changed our destination and its people instead of coming home saying “ I saw what the tourist is meant to see, learn little, love the people little and complained much….”

Traveling is a romantic notion but unfortunately there are two ways to travel; as a tourist or as a traveler.  The tourist see’s much through the lense of a camera but experiences little of the wonders around him.  The tourist compares destination, hotels and people to past experiences and their own way of life.  Tourists take from destinations’ what he feels entitled to and enriched not the community or himself.  The tourist spends money but wastes some of life’s greatest opportunities.

The Traveler (the true romantic) unburdens himself of guide books, set itineraries and restrictions.  The traveler explores, communicates, learns and befriends.  The traveler experiences destinations as a member of the community.  The locals become his guides, his friends, his teachers - he learns from their experiences, he accepts their hospitality and generosity, and repays them by allowing them to recount tales no guide book possesses and paint pictures no camera lense can capture.  The traveler pays back the community by caring as if he were one of them. 

The traveler forgets what time it is, what day it is and completely emurses himself in the destination, the culture, the wonders around him.  The traveler leaves a destination and a part of his heart remains; but he returns home more enriched, more alive, more aware and content…..