Travel More: How Traveling Makes Us More Grateful

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is no the same as never leaving.
Terry Pratchett

On the bus in Vienna, one old man with a huge smile asked me: “What time is it?” We exchanged a few words as he noticed my heavy backpack. I shared with him that I had just arrived from Portugal and was on my way to my home town to visit my grandma.

He said: “Travelling is the best investment. It teaches us way more than school will ever do.” I nodded in agreement. He left to catch his train, and so did I.

After leaving warm sunny Faro and landing in the cold and cloudy city of Vienna, this was a lovely interaction. 🙂

The more we travel, the more people cross our way.

Be Interested in Other People, Learn From Them

I love to observe people. It makes me always wonder why we do what we do. I also approach every single interaction as an opportunity to learn.

For instance, why were the Czech ladies on the aeroplane bus selfishly pushing everyone to ensure they would get their spot? All the Spanish people were staring at their behaviour. (There was another empty bus behind).

Why the young girl at the train station shop was so cold and impolite to me when I politely asked her for the free coffee they were offering to each customer? (She didn’t speak English well, her colleague told me afterwards.) I just gave up and refused to waste my energy. I went back to my table. One minute later, one young Austrian boy came to my table, gave me his coffee, kindly smiled and left without words.

When I walked around the city centre, I saw so many stressed people with no smiles or joy, who barely looked into someone’s eyes, stuck in their heads, rushing who knows where.

The train from Vienna to my hometown takes over three hours. I always bump into fun conversations. This one was no exception, heh.

I met one Austrian man, a professor at a university, who forgets how to enjoy the present moments.
On the same train, I spoke to an older Czech lady who was returning from Switzerland, where she helped her daughter with kids because her daughter worked crazy hours.
I will also add one young Czech girl who moved to London but still didn’t feel like it was her final destination.

The energy we send to others we attract back. I love this!

So why have I shared all of this with you?

I intended to show you that when you are open and interested in others, you can have some beautiful exchanges and enriching conversations.

What’s the point of travelling?

Maybe these conversations will remind you of all these great things you already have in your life. Or probably they will open your eyes and show you a better way that you could see yourself. You might be surprised how much you can learn.

Maybe they will show you your way …

Grateful Heart

The more people I talk to and each trip I make reminds me of how my life in Portugal is a “luxury”. Not in the way of owning a massive house, the newest clothes, having a highly paid job or the latest car… But in the high level of happiness I experience daily.

Why?

Because I feel I belong here! I’m part of a beautiful multicultural beach community. I know my neighbours by their names. We respect and care for each other; we are kind, polite, and smile a little more … (Something that large cities can’t offer)

Yes, I also love what I do. My work doesn’t cause me stress. I’m not bored and isolated in the office.