Why do we travel?
Posted Sunday, October 21, 2007, 6:47 PM by Lonely Planet
So many travellers, so many different reasons for travelling. Mirjam Wouters' alter-ego, cyclingdutchgirl, cites curiosity amongst hers. She has hiked, hitchhiked and cycled over much of Europe and is broadening her horizons, currently making her way through Central Asia:
"Like everybody in the Netherlands I started cycling at an early age, my Parents cycled with 4 little girls (age 4, 7, 8 and 9) to Germany and a year later to Pieterburen, camping on the way at farms. A few years later we all went to Zeeland, the south of the country on inline skates... while 2 would cycle with the luggage...
My first big solo bike trip was from Holland to Morocco when I was 23. I figured I better get some exercise after spending months in a backpackers hostel in Northern Ireland. I left my parents home in Apeldoorn in April and arrived in Morocco in July. Had such an amazing time. I loved the euphoric feeling of freedom and happiness I got on my bicycle."
Mirjam's traversed the Pamirs and has just crossed the border into Kyrgystan. The plan is to make it to Australia. She has a great website where she reports regularly on her travels, with interesting quips and stunning photos.
So, why do you travel?
Labels: Asia and Pacific, cycling, Europe
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14 Comments:
I travel because I want to see how my perception is different to others. And why people have opinions about things they never saw, and only heard about.
In Dutch:
Puur om het feit dat reizen leuk is en dat je door die ervaringen leert te relativeren. Daarnaast krijg je een beter beeld van de gevolgen die verschillende politici teweeg hebben gebracht.
Daarmee bedoel ik absoluut niet alleen rechtse politici als Bush. Wat dacht je van mensen zoals Che Guevera, wiens geweld voor shellshock heeft gezorgd bij veel Zuid-Afrikaanse soldaten tijdens de oorlog tegen Angola in Namibië.
Zijn ideeën gingen namelijk 'communistisch' de zee over.
En als hoofdreden de lol.
I love to travel because there are so many places and people to meet and explore! How can we understand ourselves if we don't understand others? I love that I never have to worry about where I am going because I get all my information from my Travel agent before I even leave. Thank goodness for Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit!
traveling is so exiting. When we travel where I've never been,we will be able to feel something new and different from our sight.
i travel to get to know other places, people, but mostly myself. I travel because it is always an exciting challenge and stability bores me. I travel because i love the world and want to know it intimately.
I travel to learn, to OPEN my eyes to the world, from soaking in the beauty of the AMAZING Landscapes, to absorbing the diverse Cultures the world has to offer!
I went to the Netherlands this summer with Contiki Holidays and got the chance to ride "Granny Bikes" around the streets and Canals in small city of Edam! This was such a unique experience, trying hard not to fall in the Canals, which DOES happen, and stopping to take in Netherland's famous Dams and Windmills! Also while on My Contiki Holiday through Europe, we had loads of free time to roam the streets of Amsterdam. It was unreal to see thousands of bikes packed into many parking levels! Going on a Contiki Holiday gave me that extra chance to learn more about Netherlands' Culture!
I travel to see. I travel to hear. I travel to get shocked. When I'm in a different foreign place, I feel like my senses are so much more attuned to everything. Anyone ever feel that after alull at home your almost dull to day to day occurences. Travel alleviates that.
I travel because life is short, and I want to see everything that this world has to offer.
because it's there...
I really loved what Sarah said on this blog.Lots of people would love to travel if they could afford it. In my case I live in a beautiful tropical paradise called the Seychelles. Lots of prospective travellers have only heard of five-star resorts in the Seychelles. But this is a wrong impression because my islands offer simple island comforts and family-style accommodation. I can offer this style of accommodation. So what are your views? Do you think I will get that sort of budget-conscious visitors?
As a few people have already mentioned, I travel to discover myself. Sure, I love to see new places, experience different cutlures, but at the end of the day, you know a little bit more about yourself, your values, etc.
It seems strange to me that the world is so vast and diverse and still some people are content with their annual beach holiday. These kind of holidays are essential in order to re-charge your batteries e.t.c. However, I know that when I am old it would feel great to say that I had seen some of the world and experienced other cultures.
Curiosity. Adventure.
The moment I get off the bus, I look around and I see myself in unfamiliar surroundings. I then realise I have an open-mouthed smile that extends from ear-to-ear. That is why I travel.
I travel to broaden my perspective. I want to explore that things that life can offer. I want to see the world, meet people, and experience different cultures. I travel because I'm a citizen of the world! :-)
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