My wife and I have never been world travelers nor have we traveled frequently either. However, when we have had an opportunity to see new places and meet new people we have always enjoyed ourselves. We especially love people, for wherever we go we enjoy exchanging small talk with the local’s. Humor, is an international language, and a light exchange of a little humor has always brought smiles and a happy face to those we meet. It is what I might say, a way to instant friendship. With books and electronic devices of today a person can actually be anywhere they want to be in the world at anytime that they want to be there. The famous saying is; “Where would you like to travel? The answer, “Wherever a book will take me!” Today we can say; Where would you like to travel? And the answer could be wherever my smartphone will take me.
In reality, there is no substitute for being at a new place, in person, where you can not only see but you can experience the unique architectural structures, the plants that only grow in that place or grow much larger and faster than they do at home. To see how different people dress and talk, to be able to exchange thoughts and ideas with the people, to actually see the things you may have only read about, is a treat that remains with you forever. An actual trip, that takes you to places in the world you may have only read about, is an experience that for years after you recall, in a conversation, “Do you remember when we went…?”Do you remember the food we ate at that restaurant in…?” Traveling to and from is always exciting in itself: getting to the gate on time, rushing here and there and seeing people from all walks of life then trying to figure out a way to strike up a conversation. Then to hear their story, for we all have stories to tell, and maybe some that we may never have heard the likes of before. We might have worried whether the plane could actually get off the ground with all those people and luggage on it. Then the relief that comes when the plane levels off, high above our beautiful planet earth.
As we draw near the destination, we wonder if the pilot can land the plane safely.
My oldest living son flies frequently, and I tell him in jest. “If the pilot gets on the plane with dark glasses and a white cane, get off the plane.” In reality, the planes flying all over the world today are much safer than I am in my favorite car, a Jaguar—an older model, of course. Even though my eternal companion and I are in our advanced years, we still look forward, with excitement at the prospects of getting to travel somewhere new. A son recently gave me a large world map to put up in my den and I catch myself wondering where that place is, or how big is that place in comparison to other places. With the Olympics going on, and I hear of a person winning a medal from a place I have never been to, I want to know how big it is and how many people live there, those that are going to be so proud of their athlete. I love my new map but it can hardly give the kind of perspective that being there does. We are fortunate to have loving adult children, some of whom are able to take us places every so often. Once in awhile is just right, it gives us time to digest the previous experiences. Seeing new places is enjoyable but it is often very nice and even exciting to return home. We are grateful for all of life’s experiences for they add to us in so many ways.