Why traveling is a necessity, not a luxury

 I travel. I travel a lot.  As a matter of fact, people often wonder if I work at all.

The truth is, I work to travel.

Sure, I pay my bills and put money aside for my kids’ education before I hop on a plane to visit far away lands, but every penny thereafter is spent visiting the world, and more often than not, North America.

I do not put money aside for retirement, which may be unwise, but I chose to live here, now, while my health is top-notch and my mind is all there. I chose to invest my money into planning wonderful escapades with the people I love rather than piling it up to take it to my grave.  I chose to take my kids on numerous exciting adventures where prehistoric men meet mad scientists and where History meets Science-Fiction.  Extravagant adventures where they get to conquer their fears by jumping on the tallest roller coaster in the world,  speak a different language by interacting with people from another country or dig out ancient fossils from the man-made replica of a dinosaur grave.

My children have seen more of this great big blue planet in their first 10 years of life than most elderly people have in a lifetime.  From infancy, their minds were actively developed by taking in all the stimuli of road trips, even before they learned to talk or to walk.  Their knowledge of the world have shaped them into who they are, into who they have become. Their awareness of other cultures have molded them into unbiased, fair and just little human beings who show tolerance towards their peers.

Traveling has formed their minds beyond what any school could have taught them. It has opened them to new horizons.  From Jacques Cartier to the Boston Tea Party, from Salem’s witches to the battle of the Alamo, from the Voodoo Dolls in New Orleans to the majestic views from the CN Tower, my children have seen it all.

I am thankful to live in a day and age where mobility is affordable and technology allows for me to check in to work from anywhere, at anytime. It’s a brave new world! Sure, it costs a lot of money, but getting to see the smiles on my little ones precious faces is truly priceless.

If I look back at my own childhood, the most vivid memories I have are those of my very few travels. Disney world, Vancouver… I loved the time spent with my parents traveling the world.  I can only imagine all the joy that will surround my children when they look back at their time growing up.   Throughout the years, our family has made countless memories that they will forever cherish. 

See why I can’t afford not to travel?

The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them.” — Amelia E. Barr