This is my reality:
I plan a trip and enjoy every minute of it; then come home and start saving for the next one. This endless countdown to the ‘next trip’ is how I keep my sanity throughout my work days and everyday life. Hell, I even moved abroad so I could live a never-ending holiday for awhile.
There is a normalcy of living a nomad style life where dreaming of nothing more than jetting off to far off places, where you can relax on a beach, explore a big city or even zipline through forests becomes ‘the usual’. The love to travel and seeing the world will never bore you, and you know that you will never run out of places to see and return to.
There is always a risk involved of course. Nothing worth having comes easy. But you put your faith in the knowledge that everything will be ok. You expect to arrive at your destinations, because the thought of not getting there is not something you can comprehend.
Travel Has Risks: Disasters & Death
In light of the disasters that every so often seem to strike, you count yourself lucky that it didn’t happen to you.
It is the risk all travelers take, but they never dream it will kill them. Death is not supposed to strike on holiday. You are stress-free and happy. The adrenaline is pumping and the adventure awaits you once you land. Or maybe home is calling and you will finally be reunited after months or years apart.
Since 9/11 traveling has taken a sinister turn. No one can board a plane without thinking about it, as we have our bags screened, our liquids limited to 100ml and our shoes off as we walk into yet another scanning machine just to make sure we aren’t carrying a weapon…or worse. I hate flying purely because of the lack of control I have – forget the other elements. Planes can fail and can have accidents on their own – but I don’t stop getting in them even though I know all of this.
The world is already a scary place, and nowhere is truly safe. But planning a trip is the most joy one can have – a relief from the pressures of life. It brings a smile to our face as we pack and re-pack, plan an itinerary and ensure we have enough underwear to last a week or two (who has time for washing?). An escape from life for a few weeks is just what you need, because you deserve it. You work hard to pay for these experiences and are rewarded by drinking cocktails, spotting celebrities, stocking up on our favourite overseas things and ticking off your bucket list as you live the trip you sacrificed so much in your life just to have.
What no one expects is for this trip to be your end. But in a world of wars being fought and possible terrorist activities happening so often, it is hard not to think about the possibility of it. The idea that you could be on a doomed path is incomprehensible but it’s happening more and more often these days. While it isn’t good to think about – we have to. It could happen to us. It isn’t even just related to terrorism either – car accidents, road accidents, mechanical failures, falls, drownings, the wrong place at the wrong time events happen every day.
The sickening part about it all is that you don’t know it is happening until it does. What I think about when these things happen are those innocent people who were on a holiday, heading back home, going to a wedding, traveling to see their team play, or beginning an adventure- and realising in that one moment that they weren’t going to make it there – if they even had the time to understand it. People who are just like me and you and millions of others who plan these trips every single day, yet nothing happens to us…
Travel Has Risks…But It Won’t Stop Me Doing It
Travel has risks. You cannot control what happens when you participate in it.
But what I do know is this: I will never stop planning, experiencing and living in the chance that something may go wrong. Because then fear wins. It is the chance we all take, but it is worth it because no matter what happens at least we were out there, seeing the world, stepping out of our comfort zones and doing what makes us happy.
Traveling is a gift. You are not entitled to see anything in this world. But the more places I tick off and get to return to, the luckier I feel just to have been able to do it.
I am a traveler. I want to explore the world and visit places I enjoy. And no matter how many bad things happen in the world, or accidents that occur – I will never stop doing this. Travel is my happiness, and I will use every second of my time to explore the world as much as I possibly can.
Traveling is a risk. But it is a risk worth taking every single time.
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“But what I do know is this: I will never stop planning, experiencing and LIVING in the chance that something may go wrong. Because then they win. It is the chance we all take, but it is worth it because no matter what happens at least we were out there; seeing the world, stepping out of our comfort zone and doing what makes us happy.”
– Totally agree on that!! Loved this post
Thanks so much Eva! Glad you liked it! Living is seeing the world. It’s that simple! ?
This is such a great post and addresses something that usually isn’t talked about; part of the darker side of travelling. Although it is (hopefully!) mostly fun and adventure, with each trip or journey comes the risk that so often gets negated no matter how real it is. Yes, wherever you are in the world, whatever you’re doing there’s a risk and we can’t let it stop us from doing what we are passionate about. However travellers frequently choose to put themselves in what could be risky situations, because the thought of not doing so is not something we can comprehend.
Thanks so much Lottie! It is true. It is a hard reality, but one we need to remember. If only holidays were always fun and happiness for everyone. But we can’t let it stop us.
This is a great read! Sharing! I love your outlook. NEVER STOP LIVING. ♡♡♡
Thanks Alicia! It’s the best outlook to have. Worth every risk and the whole reason I am getting out there and living my life.
I always say I’d rather die skydiving in Australia than in my sleep in Virginia. It’s kind of a dark thought but I absolutely mean it, if I have to die anyway I’d rather do it doing what I truly truly love and not wasting my life! I could get hit by a car tomorrow! Life IS a risk; travel is just more worth it 🙂
I so agree with this Gabby! Nothing in life is guaranteed but what you do with your time is so more important than being comfortable and too scared to get outta there. Travel is so worth it!
Travel has its risk for sure, just like everything else in life 🙂 For me the whole point of travelling is conquering fears and doing things I would never otherwise do, and not letting the dangers of travel win is one such thing.
So right Orli! We can’t have anyone not doing things in their life they want because of fear. Then they win.
This is a good read. The world is filled with scary people and events, but the truth is that it could happen anywhere. You shouldn’t give up your dreams or doing what you love due to fear of the unknown. Awesome job and I’m glad you haven’t let fear stop you from exploring the world <3
Thanks! Yes, we can’t let fear stop any of it. It is worth the risk, at least for me.
Very true!! Honestly, we’re all going to to die someday, why not do a bunch of awesome stuff in the meantime, right? People tell me to be careful every time they hear I am traveling (by myself as well which is another story) and I just remind them that terrible things can happen anywhere. And if this next trip is my last, well I’m glad I died doing what I love! 😀 Might be morbid, but that’s life!
Exactly Eva! If it ends when you are traveling somewhere, then it does. But at least you were out there living and not afraid to get out of your comfort zone. It’s morbid but so true!
Exactly, it won’t stop me either. Traveling is the only way I feel like I’m actually living!
Exactly! I love it! Living is exploring. So I always will!
This is so true – I was in Paris the weekend before the attacks last year, and back again shortly afterwards. You can’t let the fear overcome, but I do think it’s important to be cautious and keep safe too!
Wow, that’s scary! I was in Boston 3 months to the day of the bombing and no doubt would have been at the finishing line as my hotel was right where the bomb went off. It is scary to think about what can happen. But yes, you can’t let it all stop you.
I love this. All the reasons at the top were the things stopping me from travelling the first time but I soon came to realise this happens everywhere and your just unlucky if it happens to you. Now I will never let it stop me travelling! Great post!
Thanks so much Sarah! It isn’t easy, but we need to ensure we never let the fear stop us! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Great post. It won’t stop me travelling either. That would be giving in to it all. My end of 2015 post considers some of these issues too. You might find it interesting.
Thanks Amanda! I will definitely check it out! We can’t give in or get scared, we just have to keep on traveling!
I love this!
Thanks worldlittlelights! It’s the negative and positives of travel, but things we just never forget. Thanks for reading!