What Travel Has Taught Me

Travel. One of the world's greatest gifts. You get so much out of it - learning about different cultures, people, foods, traditions - it's never ending. Traveling to different parts of the world not only has you learning new things about those countries, but you also get to learn more about yourself. Many see traveling as an escape, trying to leave their past behind them. I see it more as an opportunity. An opportunity to soak in as much as I can in my life. I don't believe it's possible to fully live life if you don't venture out from what you already know. How is one able to grow if they choose to stay where they are? 

I've been lucky enough to travel to different countries, and there are many more I'd like to get to in the future. Some of my favorite places that I've been to are Italy, Switzerland, France, and my most favorite place of all... Israel, my homeland. Each place has taught me different things that I have decided to implement in my life back home. 

Italy has always been a dream for me. Everything about their country is enticing for many people to get their hands on and experience it in real life. The aspect of Italian life that probably stands out the most for people is the food. 

The. Food. Holy moly. 

I don't think I've ever experienced such amazing food in my life. Other than my mom's cooking, of course. If you're reading this mom, you're the best chef in the world. But let's get back to Italy. 

I got to enjoy different types of pastas, from the creaminess of carbonara to the flavorful pesto. Let's not forget about their pizza. That has to be one of my favorite foods. And then to top it all off, the gelato. From sour, fruity flavors to sweet chocolates and caramels. I definitely left Italy with a few extra pounds. Italy taught me the importance of really enjoying my meals.

Another favorite of mine was Switzerland. Here I definitely found a new version of myself, the adventurous one. While the views in Switzerland are immaculate, what they really focus on there are the adventurous activities. From skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, and many more. I got to experience something that I have never even heard of before landing in this country, canyoning. My friends and I jumped down an 80-foot mountain while tied to a rope and into the freezing cold water that has melted from the ice on the Swiss mountains. We then jumped from rocks into mini waterfalls through the canyons. Once we got to the end of the river, we were rewarded with an ice cold beer and some sandwiches. Never in my life would I agree to do that if I were here, but I was a whole different person when I was in Switzerland. I chose to continue that adventurous outlook on life, because it gave me such a thrill that I never knew I was seeking. 

Moving on to another favorite of mine, France. Here I learned the true meaning of what it is to love doing nothing. While yes, I walked around and saw all the touristy things there are to this country such as Versailles and the Louvre, what I really enjoyed was eating bread and cheese and sipping wine all while sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower. I got to enjoy people watching and the twinkling lights of the tower from sundown until midnight. While relaxing, I realized how important it is to have these moments of relaxation. You give yourself time to think about the aspects of your life and where you want to get to in the future. 

Lastly, we have my most favorite place of all, Israel. Here I learned the fun of staying up late, out in the city with my friends with no plan to end the activities. I learned how to be independent with the countless bus and train trips alone from a young age to go visit friends and family from different areas of the country. I learned what it means to stand up for myself with the no BS, Israeli attitude. From the culture, to the people, to the food, Israel will always hold a special place in my heart. 

All of these countries have made a significant impact in my life, and I can't wait to enjoy more places in the future. Some of the countries that are on my bucket list of countries I would love to travel to are Bali, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and many, many more. 

What are some of the countries you have traveled to and where would you like to go?