When I travel, I travel for the experiences, and for the love of seeing new places. Iyer claims that people travel to "lose themselves, and find themselves." I agree with what Iyer has to say. I like to travel so I can just go out and learn whats out there in the world, and to learn about our people's cultures and ideas. That is what traveling means to me.
2. Iyer says, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new places, but in seeing with new eyes." What does this mean? How might this relate to you?
In traveling, seeing new places doesn't make it a discovery, but instead learning about the environment and culture in which you are traveling. That is what makes a true experience, and that is what the quote above is saying. This relates to me because, when I travel to a new place, wherever it may be, I like to learn about the culture in that area and how it may differ from my own, or how it is similar. In any way, I take what I learn, and try to put it to good use in my everyday life as a new learning experience.
3. Iyer says, "What gives value to travel is fear." What does this mean? How might this relate to our journey?
Fear gives value to travel. It means that fear is all part of the experience while traveling. For example, if you keep going to the same places, it gets boring after a while, and you start to lose the value of the trip. So, by exploring new places in the world, you don't know what to expect. You have no idea if you're going to love it or if you're going to hate it. And that is what adds the concept of "fear" while traveling, and what adds value to your trip. This could relate to our journey in many ways. Some people who haven't traveled to another country or ever flown in a plane may be fearful of what awaits them. Others may be afraid to try new foods or things like that.But, its all part of the experience of the journey- learning to conquer your fears. As for myself, I'm ready to embrace every new experience that Australia and New Zealand have to offer!
4. Iyer talks about a traveler being a human "carrier pigeon", transporting ideas and culture form one society to another. Do you believe that travelers have a responsibility to share their knowledge and experience with all they visit and those they return to?
I believe it is the job of the traveler to transfer their experiences and newfound knowledge everybody else. Its all part of the learning experience of traveling. So, even if one of your friends back home were not able to go on a trip, the traveler can share any and all of their experiences with them when they return home. Also, the traveler can share their knowledge of their own culture and ideas with anybody they may meet on their journey. In a way, they sort of are like carrier pigeon...
5. "We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world."
This is my favorite quote from this essay. Its my favorite, because it states exactly how i feel about traveling. I got traveling to learn, and open my eyes and actually see the world in a totally new perspective than before. Not judging the world, but seeing it for yourself, and sharing your knowledge with others. Learning about others' cultures and ideas, and in doing so, learning more about your own. This quote really runs deep, and relates exactly to how I feel towards traveling.
Great job Steven! The quote you picked at the end is the exact same one I would pick. You said, "Not judging the world, but seeing it for yourself, and sharing your knowledge with others." Comments like this really let me know that you are ready to use this trip to really open you mind and learn. I can't wait to read more of your posts!
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