In less than two weeks, I’ll be off on another travel vacation. Its something I always try doing for myself each year.
Every other year, I’ll do a big international trip. The years in-between? Usually a place or three in the USA. 2005 it was Greece. 2007, Puerto Rico. 2009, Peru (w/ some Mexico as a day-trip). This year in 2011, England (with some Spain on the side)
Why is travelling so important to me? A couple reasons. First off, living long-term in a city like LA can…warp one’s perspective on reality. So the way I see it, its imperatively healthy come get out at least once a year (preferably more) and get a whiff of what the rest of the world is like.
In short, traveling gives me perspective on how there are whole other cities, communities and countries that are doing things an entirely different way that I could never have even imagined. Traveling expands our world and thinking outside of what we know or think we know about the place we’re visiting. Even if the place is a small town like Alamosa, Colorado, there is something unique to see there.
Secondly, traveling is where a good portion of my writing ideas come from. Because of travel, I’ve gotten ideas for the cultural backgrounds of alien species, or the landscape of a futuristic city or even whole story plots. For a writer of any kind, traveling is invaluable. One can only write what they know for so long before it becomes redundant and uninspired. For at most two weeks or at least a few days I get to step out of my daily live and the daily stimuli that I’m constantly exposed to and see something new. This is the best gift a witer can give one’s self.
And finally, vacationing just fun. Why not travel? Sepcially if one has the means to do so? There is so much beauty in this world, so many amazing places and people to see. Why relegate yourself to just one measly area in this 6 billion+ salad bowl?
I will finally be getting my first personal laptop prior to my upcoming trip (Yes, I’m a late, late adopter. BOO), so the plan is to try blog posting throughout my vacation. Maybe every other day if I can get the wireless access. Can’t wait!
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