thoserunwaylightsThese are the coordinates of my favorite place on Earth.
The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France.
Maybe it was because I felt like I truly became an adult here. I just graduated college 2 days prior to coming to France. I completed immersed myself here. Learned a new culture and language. I learned to ride Subways and Trains, I traveled around the country learning new things, speaking to new people, and experiencing new things–such as escargot–which is not my thing. I learned to keep cool during strange situations, such as a gal losing her cool in public, a man tracing lines on the back of my friends legs, pick pockets and theft, homelessness as a career. Thankfully I was pro at reading maps–which REALLY helps.
I was all over France prior to just spending 3 days in Paris. Yet it was here where I realized that I don’t ever want to give up traveling. Give up being wide-eyed at the world. No matter what horrible things are happening. I gave myself permission to still be a kid and love new places and new people, and to try everything (that will not kill me). Who am I kidding, I almost died in Provence twice. The first time I literally got hit by a car that was driving on the sidewalk, and I had an allergic reaction to shrimp while sharing a very alcoholic beverage with my friend and roommate who was having a heavenly shrimp cocktail.
Regardless, this was the first time I traveled with absolutely no member of my family. I was completly independent. I had friends which I was very thankful for.
Without my experience in France, I would never have forced myself to see the rest of the world. It opened up so many doors for me. It changed what I wanted to do with my life. It changed everything that I had previously worked towards. I felt completely free. I felt invincible. I felt alive. It changed everything.
Where was the place that completely changed you?
Interesting article but I think every traveling experience changes you one way or another. I couldn’t say that just one country changed me or made me more mature but it was a bit of all the places I’ve been to; with every country I see I feel like I become more knowledgeable and yet there’s so much more to learn from all the different cultures in the world
Did you find some men with a dark complexion out there?
I travel to expand my perspective. Experiencing new places, people, cultures, and to deepen my understanding of the world, while reminding me how much there is to learn. Travel fuels my curiosity, offers moments of beauty and discomfort, and helps me grow both personally and emotionally. It’s a way to disconnect from routine, reconnect with myself, and return home changed—more open-minded, more grateful, and more inspired.