Travel Virgin
On August 28, 2011 by wanderstoriesYou always remember your first time.
Although I traveled to Spain in my teens, I don’t consider that my first shot at world travel. Maybe I was too young to truly experience it – maybe it was because I was with classmates – but either way, we’ll skip over it for now. The two hot Spanish brothers I lived with are owed a blog post for themselves anyways.
My first overseas trip. I was 23 and in grad school. Since the College of Osteopathic Medicine didn’t offer study abroad options, I created my own. I signed up for all online classes and bought myself a netbook with satellite internet so I could study anywhere in the world.
Although I tried to convince friends & family to join me on at least part of the trip, no one had the time or resources so I ventured off alone.
I’ve since traveled frequently on my own and honestly, have begun to prefer it as I find I learn and integrate with the culture much more than if I have the buffer of a traveling partner, however on my first go, it was terrifying.
I had planned to travel Europe for just under 2 months, some with a travel group of other 20-year-olds and some totally alone.
My flight overseas had all the makings of a disastrous start. I flew the jumpseat for part of the trip and my bag was nearly lost, however at least I had a familiar face! It turned out a friend from college was flying back to Madrid to teach. I’m still not sure he knows just how much his presence helped reassure me.
From there, the trip only got better. My travel group ended up being a bunch of rowdy Australians, many of whom I’m still very close with today. In between sightseeing, I powered through my classwork. I’ll never forget writing a paper on neuromuscular drugs on a beach in Majorca.
I had some incredible memories traveling the Mediterranean (which I will detail in separate blog posts), but ultimately, I learned the world is a beautiful place. Along my journey I met so many kind and genuine people. People who wanted to share their culture and learn about mine. People who went beyond themselves to help a stranger in need. People who were friendly and welcoming in ways I never saw back home.
I’ll never forget that first trip. The first time I stepped out of the comfort of my friends, my family, and my home to venture out on my own. I still chase that feeling of setting off on my own – the feeling of ultimate freedom – there’s nothing else like it.
To anyone on the precipice of this – JUST GO. Don’t wait for the “right time” – it will never come. Don’t wait until you have thousands saved – you can travel cheaply. Don’t wait for someone to join you – you’ll meet friends along the way. JUST GO.
“Don’t ever accept anyone else’s perceived limitations. If there’s something you want to do, there isn’t any reason you can’t do it.”
// Onward & Upward //
~ K
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