WE NEED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MOTHER EARTH
This one is crucial. The sad reality is many of us who live in and travel to the best places in the world often fail to appreciate and take care of them. It breaks my heart going back to a place only to find it worse than I remember it. If we don’t take care of our natural resources, years from now, there won’t be a reason to travel anymore. There is so much beauty around us, beauty that we MUST preserve so that the future generation can also enjoy it.
WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO
Traveling and living abroad as an expat has taught me to be humble toward people and situations. The secret is to learn, respect, and embrace other people’s culture and their ways of living. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But please, whatever you do, don’t take off your bra and get comfortable just because your host said, “Mi casa es su casa.”
TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
I haven’t been everywhere, but this piece of wisdom is definitely on my to-do list. Most of the time, travelers, including myself, tend to concentrate on tried-and-tested destinations that receive more attention on social media. But I have learned that sometimes taking the path less traveled leads to hidden gems.
CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
Just like airport stamps and airline miles, I have gained friends along the way. I’ve bonded with fellow passengers seated next to me, and have enjoyed many meaningful conversations with total strangers. Some of these connections have lasted for minutes while in queue to board a flight, or hours during a long flight. Others have gone beyond encounters to become friendships. I am grateful for all these random connections that started with a simple, “Hi!”
EAST OR WEST, HOME IS BEST
No matter how far or near I have traveled, no matter how many destinations have made me gasp at their beauty, no matter how many amazing people I have met and keep meeting along the way, nothing beats home! Yes, it feels good to leave. But it feels so much better to come back.
