Travel

Travel is one of my favorite words in the entire English language. And the French word for travel, voyager, is even better. "Travel" for me conjures images of passports, foreign lands, the monuments, post cards, good food and wine, and meeting cool people. But Im sure travel means a little something different to everyone: perhaps to someone in business, travel is another word for work, or for a family constantly on the move, it could mean uprooting yet again. Point being, we can all attach our own meaning to the word.
But back to my meaning of travel. To me, stepping on an airplane is like stepping into a magical space ship that can transplant me to a whole new world. This may sound a little dramatic, and even outright cheesy, but it is the truth for me. I am not well traveled, I am only in my third ever visited country. However, I am slowly but surely changing that fact of my life. Each of my three experiences have been extremely different: everything from the purpose of the trip all the way up to how I passed my time. My first international expedition was to the Bahamas on a day cruise with my two best friends from high school. We were in Florida to celebrate high school graduation, and more importantly- celebrating our upcoming lives as college students. The day at the Bahamas was passed being a total tropics tourist and spending some quality time with mother nature's aqua blue Caribeean. The day was a blast- and I certainly made great memories!
My second international excursion was a mission trip to Jamaica. I went with my home church, First Baptist of Morganton. This trip was right before I departed for college, and it was a wonderful way to align my priorites before heading out on my own. We were not allowed to bring cell phones, ipods, electronics, etc. That week was truly one of the best in my life. There was no air conditioning, I took cold showers, drank syrupy juice, and was under the hot sun all day. Yet these circumstances came together to give me one of the most gratifying experiences I have yet to experience in my short 20 years. It was euphoric to take a week out of my mundane life, and really see and live among another culutre. Looking back on the journal entries from that trip is one of my favorite pass times.
Finally, I am here on my third international trip, studying abroad in France. Which is basically one of my top life dreams. Its really surreal to finally be living one of my life dreams, which I thought would never come true because of money. Travel is not cheap,but it does not have to be catastrophically expensive either. Like anything in life- its a matter of priority. Would I rather go shopping and have stuff, eat good food, have a cafe everyday, or have weekend trips? I would like to check yes to all of the above, but thats an option. I do a little of all, but my emphasis is to be able to travel to other cities and countries. I want to make the most of my time here in Europe, because who knows when I will return? The reality is that if I am fortunate enough to return, it will probably be a. for work or b. with a troop of my own, complaining about their nerd of a mom needing to make every stop. The point of a and b is to point out that I intend to travel during a time in my life where I can be selfish, and indulge in what I want to. If I want to pass the day sitting in a plaza, eating a baguette or gealto, I can do that. If I want to spend the day exploring castles or museums at my own pace, I can do that.
Further, Im not sure how this experience will shape me. It will affect me, because both my other trips have affected me in some form. Next week I am planning on a trip to switzerland, and later in the semster, Greece! I really look forward to seeing these places, smelling the food, and meeting the people. It is my promise to myself to keep traveling and exploring after this semester. I may be a dreamer, but I know that I have to continue my travels. I would really like to go to South America, particularly Brazil, sooner than later :).
But, for right now, I have a fresh salad, glass of wine, trench of bread, and hot dinner to enjoy in Grenoble.