Girl on the Go

Acropolis - Athens, Greece

They say that traveling is the only thing you can spend money on that truly makes you richer.

I haven't traveled nearly as much as I'd like to have. But the places I have been? They've left footprints on my heart. And I've fallen in love in every place I've been. As a result, I get to carry little pieces of the world around with me.

I always travel with a buddy, but solo travel is more and more popular. Especially for women. I have a good friend who covered the vast geological landscapes of fifteen countries by herself. That's girl power, right there. And yes, as a female traveler, there are always things we need to be aware of. A simple Google search will yield option after option of safe places for a solo female traveler, along with tips to not only keep you safe, but to have the time of your life! More and more, it is recommended that women solo travel, at least once, in their lives. It's a liberating and eye-opening experience that can mold you into a fearless, stronger, and more independent woman.   

But whether you travel solo, with your partner, or a whole group, the benefits of travel are absolutely endless. From cultural awareness, to independence, to global perspective... there is something to be yielded from every spot on the globe. Whether you go near or far, the point is to go. Anywhere.

Top 10 Reasons to Travel                                                                         

1) Open Your Eyes
           A change of perspective, the chance to see how another culture lives and thrives, makes us more well-rounded in life. Spending time in places away from home challenges our norms and the lenses through which we view our world. Our problems have a way of seeming much smaller when we get out into the world and try new things.

Chania Harbor - Chania, Crete

2) Self-discovery
          Nothing establishes independence more than being put in the middle of a crowded city, in a country not your own, surrounded by a language you do not speak, and are expected to find your way. Travel forces us to step outside our comfort zones, and that's when we grow. Often, while discovering the treasures of the world, we end up discovering ourselves along the way. Experiencing the world, unfiltered by our senses, expands our vision of the world, and ourselves.

If a world journey encourages the more uncertain or reserved among us to come out of their shell, then that alone is worth the price of airfare, accommodation, and sights. - David Jedeikin

Roman Colosseum - Rome, Italy 

3) Develop New Skills
         Going back to the idea of being dropped into the middle of a place where, literally, everything is foreign, and are expected to navigate, well, that requires skill. Skills that you build and strengthen the more you do it. Sometimes, simply ordering a meal can be the equivalent to scaling Everest. Developing new skills, or realizing ones you didn't know you have, builds confidence. And confidence will take anyone far in life.

I've always been a natural-born compass, understanding directions easily and using NEWS (north, east, west, south) to get myself around. But there have been few places that have challenged my sense of direction more than Venice, Italy. It is literally a labyrinth of narrow walkways and water canals. Everything looks exactly the same, but let me tell you, navigating myself through the city was a victory, and by the time I moved onto another city, I thought to myself, I've got this!

4) Different Kind of Education
          There is no classroom that can compete with the one on the road. Travel teaches language, history, geography, sociology, and politics. It teaches new cuisines, etiquette, art, music, and lifestyles in a way we can only experience by doing it hands-on. Even to travel within the borders of our own country can teach us new things. Experiencing new cultures can highlight our differences, and what we share in common.

A mind stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions. -unknown

5) It's So Much Fun
          Who wouldn't have fun riding elephants in Thailand? Scaling Mount Fuji? Wading in the water of Victoria Falls? Crossing the Samaria Gorge on Crete? Dancing the night away in Madrid? Bartering in the Sunday marketplace in Athens? The stories you can tell of journeys you have taken can be endless. Accomplishing even the most mundane of tasks can be so much fun when we do it in another place. Figuring out how to do laundry in New Delhi? Taking a shower in Rome? It's all an adventure.

Cape Cod National Sea Shore - Provincetown, MA

Akaka Falls, Big Island, Hawaii

6) Making Friends

          Meeting the locals can not only teach you about other ways of life, but it can help maximize our travel experience... what do the locals know? What's a must-see? Where is the best food? Making local friends can also help you adjust to cultural differences. It can be something as simple as learning to never hold out your pinkie finger while in Beijing. A crucial bit of information if you want to avoid a possible fight. 

When I studied abroad to Greece when I was a wee college student, I met a shop owner named George. He was very taken to my blonde hair and blue eyes and had generously given me sale prices on everything in his store. I bought plenty there. And he told me if I ever came back that I should visit him. Fast-forward four years when I was back in Athens, I found my way back to that shop and guess who was still there? George. And he even remembered me! He was the sweetest man, and once again, gave me a generous discount. But despite my savings in that shop, it was an awesome feeling to connect with someone on the other side of the world. Our lives would never have crossed in any other place. But in those moments, we were friends.

Plaka marketplace - Athens, Greece

7) Food! Food! And More Food!
         One thing you are forced to do when traveling is trying new cuisine. There is no way around it. Whether it be clam chowder in New England, fish and chips in (actual) England, pakora in India, or pupusas in El Salvador, we all have to eat. And the more local you get, the better. It's one of the best ways to get to know a culture other than our own.

My first time in Greece, I was terrified of the new foods. It was my first time abroad (excluding a weekend excursion to Winnipeg, Canada or Tijuana, Mexico). And within the first 48 hours I chose a hamburger from a local chain called Goody's Burger House. I was relieved to be getting a good old burger. Ha! The joke was on me. Turns out a person doesn't go to Greece for hamburgers. It was awful. I couldn't even eat it. Imagine my surprise, and relief, to find that I love things like grilled feta, dolma, and papoutskaia. I'm way more than just gyros!

8) Health Benefits
          Research shows that interaction with novel stimuli can often delay the onset of degenerative diseases. There is also a proven connection between travel and heart health. It is a known fact that travel reduces stress. Don't get me wrong, losing your luggage or having your hotel reservations for the wrong nights can be stressful. But overall, studies show a drastic decrease in stress resulting from travel. People often report less anxiety, more restful sleep, and an general boost in mood. The Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin reported that women who vacation twice a year are less likely to suffer depression and chronic stress, compared to women who vacation once every two years.

Monastery of Meteora,Greece

Grand canal - Venice, Italy

9) Builds Character
          The more you see, the better understanding you have of how things work. Authentic cultural experiences open doors to endless possibility. Travel turns us into problem solvers, and expands our thinking and knowledge-base. We strengthen our social skills, develop adaptability, and even teach ourselves to have a greater sense of humor. 

10) Making Memories
          This one is pretty obvious, but couldn't go amiss on the list. When we travel we make endless memories. Some good, some funny, some bad. All worth it. There are moments you will experience that you will carry with your for the rest of your life.

Delicate Arch - Moab, UT

You don't have to go far to travel. Your destination can be a car ride or a plane ride away. The point is to go. It's not about where you go, but what you do when you're there. Last summer, my family and I went to southern Utah and explored the national parks. We didn't go far- about 4 hours. There were no language barriers and the food was all the same. But we did things we don't get to do when we stay home. We hiked and we explored all new terrain and saw some of the most magnificent sights. Not all travel has to break the bank. This summer we did Moab, on a budget.  There are always ways to have fun and go somewhere for any budget.

Say yes to adventure... get out there and be a girl on the go!