5 Reasons Why I Love To Travel

Unlike many of my friends, I do not travel for the sake of just moving and going. I also am not making any claims that I am suffering from a "travel bug". I look forward to traveling and try to travel as often as I can. I have gone on elegant vacations as well as rustic vacations. Each experience has provided its varying degrees of enjoyment.

I have made new friends during my travels. I have tasted new foods. I have mingled among creative creatures of culture. I have had fun dancing and drinking in places others have only seen on post-cards. Traveling lets me escape my daily routines. I love to travel.

Traveling has provided me with the opportunity to make new friends. My regular traveling companion was unable to join me for vacation. Rather than stay home, during my last trip I decided to book a "guaranteed share "to keep costs down. I was assigned a roommate. We did not meet until the first day of the trip. Some may say that this was daring, but I made a new friend.

We got along and respected each other's space as roommates. Occasionally we participated in our travel group's activities. At other times, I wandered happily on my own and made new acquaintances in the places we visited.

I am always interested in tasting the local food offerings when I travel. I will never patronize a fast-food franchise establishment while on vacation. I find it very disturbing when one of my fellow traveling companions foolishly whines about not being able to find "American food" or "food like we have at home".

Recently, I traveled to New Orleans for the first time. I discovered that I prefer jambalaya to grits. I had the best gourmet meal at a restaurant founded by two siblings. Eating part of a special creation only found at the famous Italian deli that probably everyone has visited, makes me want to return, just for that experience. I also wandered into some of the independent local storefront places near Canal Street that server some of the most delicious and reasonably priced food I have ever tasted.

Visiting new art exhibits has been a usual part of my travel plans. Meeting personally with the artists, when available, has provided me with inspiration for my own work. In the past, as a visitor, I had the opportunity to participate in a symposium in Sicily which was composed of writers, poets, painters, and sculptors. The program was organized by a person who chairs a department of an east coast university.

Unique entertainment venues have enhanced the amount of fun I have had during my travel experiences. I enjoy visiting theme centered amusement parks. Various night clubs have also provided interesting entertainment with local music and local libations, and dancing in the street. Last year I specifically decided to visit Memphis and surrounding areas. To my surprise, I had a very good time visiting that famous singer's mansion.

Sometimes, I am focusing too much on the tasks of work and everyday chores. The opportunity to travel provides me with an attitude adjustment. It allows me to exhale and temporarily escape. I have planned a short train trip with a friend to Milwaukee. I have never been there before. This won't be a very complicated trip, but instead a chance to just step away from the day-today.

I will continue to travel whenever I can, for as long as I can.