Flipping Through the Pages

Not the most flattering picture of myself - but set against the gorgeous backdrop of Lisbon, Portugal  

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page..."

This quote, attributed to Saint Augustine, was spoken by a tour guide in Amsterdam, the last stop of my 6-city 'Eurotrip.' While I sometimes roll my eyes at these cliched sayings romanticizing travel, this is very much in line with what I've been thinking lately (since I actually started traveling). It is a simple yet poetic way to verbalize the thoughts racing through my head about how large, diverse, and rich in culture and history (and climates!) the world is. 

Like many people, before I started traveling internationally, I had all these ideas about what it would be. I think it is a bit like being starstruck, to finally see these places you have only heard about or seen pictures of - places with historical significance or renowned for their beauty. In my experience, sometimes these places live up to expectations and sometimes - 'that's it?'

I have come to find that as it is with anything in life, travel is what you make it - and it is pretty easy to make it wonderful. It can be tailored to each individuals interests - each location hosts it's own outdoor activities, cuisines, drinks, museums, etc.  
I understand that some people just don't have the drive to travel, it is just not something on their lists when there is just so much to do in the moment, at home. It is also expensive, but I think in the whole scheme of things, this is what people should be spending leisure/entertainment money on (and I swear each day on my Facebook I feel like I see another 20-year-old throwing a big wedding or even popping out a kid like its nothing - surely travel could have been budgeted in?)

Opening up your mind and looking at the bigger picture can do wonders. Everyone gets one life. When you think of all the world has to offer, living 80 years and staying mostly in the same place, while in no way a waste and at the end of the day all that matters is living in whatever situation we are in to the best of our ability, seems a bit unfortunate. No one will be able to do it all in their lifetimes, but to see as much as we can and enjoy it is really the least we can do. You may really enjoy the page (or two or three) you have read, but wouldn't the reward for the time spent be so much greater if you finish the book?