Travel is a privilege – that is something I realized very quickly. Whether it is for a short or long time, nearby or in another continent, going to another place is special for many.

If you were to ask me how much I’ve thought about travelling to another place, I would respond by saying “all the time”. Like many others however, I am usually at home, at work, or just dealing with life. The amount of time I spend thinking about travel compared to actually being away is heavily outweighed. This is why whenever a trip comes along, I cherish every moment of it.

I used to think of travelling as just going to a different place. I’ve learned that while this is the definition of travel, it isn’t the meaning of it.

The idea of travel is different for everyone – and that is the beauty of it. It has the capability to teach and the experience is unique for everyone. Even if I were to go to the same place as someone else, my perspectives and takeaways would be entirely different from that person.

I have now learned that travel is not just the trip, but it is the entire process. From dreaming about going to a place, to buying plane tickets and planning an itinerary, to finally living what you’ve dreamt. Each stage is special and comes with its own challenges. Despite this, it is best to appreciate the good and bad in every step of the process.