The Travel Bug

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”

- Anais Nin

I have long thought of traveling not as something one does, but almost as an identity. I first came to appreciate this idea after my first experience abroad in Sevilla, Spain. I was fifteen years old, I had never left the country before, let alone been away from my family and friends for an extended period of time, and I had only a fundamental grasp on the Spanish language. I found myself suddenly thrown into what felt like an entirely new planet. Despite my initial culture shock, Spain became my trusted home for the following three months and I fell hopelessly in love with it: the intricate mosaic yellow tiles that created sweet little pathways in my host family’s backyard, the amazing tapas, the vibrancy of the Sevillan streets at night, the incredible style, the beautiful people. Upon my return to the States, I resolved that I would forever be a traveler. I had caught the travel bug. It was now a part of me and I would never, ever let it go. There is something so amazing and inexplicable about immersing youself in another town, another state, another country. To feel so different and foreign, yet oddly connected and comforted, is such a special feeling and one that I cherish each time I visit a new place. Traveling is a way to link ourselves to others, but most importantly, it is a way to link us to something deep within ourselves. It’s often only when we step outside of our comfort zone, into the unknown, that true growth really happens. It can be scary and daunting and intimidating, but it is the most enjoyable and worthwhile gift we can give ourselves. How has travel shaped your life? Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, share your stories and photos, and let us know what Living Worldly means to you!

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