When I think about the top elements that have defined my life, travel has to be in the mix. You’d think writing about such a key part of my life would be easy, right? Not quite! How do you distil experiences from visiting 25+ countries over 65 years into one short blog? It’s an impossible task, but let me highlight some of those memories.
Early Adventures: From Annalong to Disney World
Imagine weekends in Annalong, that quaint fishing village in Ireland where my dad grew up. Fancy dress parades in lush English gardens of a grand old boarding house in the South of Ireland. Snacking on fish and chips at pebble beaches in Portsmouth and Bournemouth, England, while battling off hungry seagulls. As a young girl, I was thrilled when we “spotted” the Loch Ness Monster through the foggy waters in the Scottish Highlands.
After immigrating to Canada, despite tight finances, our family still managed to squeeze in vacations. My favourite memories are from beach front cabins where storms lit up the sky. We would huddle under blankets with umbrellas to guard against the leaky roof, giggling at the adventure of it all. And let’s not forget the epic trips to Disney World. Four days of mind-numbing drives were instantly forgotten as soon as we entered the magical realm of Disney, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Lessons from the Road: Life is Best Shared with Others
Travel taught me that life’s best moments are shared. For example, several years ago, I had a free afternoon during a business trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and I decided to visit Peggy’s Cove. I sat there, mesmerised by the vast Atlantic Ocean. But something was missing—I needed to share it. Thank goodness for cell phones! For an hour, I used texting and FaceTime to share the experience with my family, magnifying the moment a hundredfold. Every country I’ve visited—25 in total—I’ve shared those moments with loved ones. And that’s taught me one thing…
Strength in Relationships: Bonding Over Shared Experiences
Travel strengthens relationships like nothing else. Picture this: climbing 462 steps to the dome of the Duomo in Florence, getting scolded for touching the beautiful frescoes, and then laughing about it for years with friends. That one moment, amid the grandeur and awe-inspiring architecture, turned into a hilarious, bonding story.
Travel isn’t always about joyful moments; sometimes, it’s deeply emotional. On a trip to Ireland, Google Maps accidentally led us down Shankill Road in Belfast, a place marred by the bloody history of The Troubles. The murals commemorating atrocities triggered tears and a panic attack. But it gave my shocked son and grandkids a firsthand account of what life was like for me growing up. Conversations that followed were deep and transformative.
Talking Travel: Bridging Cultural Divides
One of the best ways to connect with people is through travel stories. For seventeen years I taught culturally diverse classes in Post Secondary Institutes. Domestic students who have travelled abroad tend to be more inclusive. When we discuss where we’re all from and share travel experiences, barriers come down.
I fondly remember a conversation with a German student about my Berlin trip in June 2018. My son and I travelled for research on remote workers, experiencing everything from Berlin Cathedral’s grandeur to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. That common ground opened many doors for deeper connections with other students as well.
Embracing New Perspectives: The Finnish “Why Not?” Attitude
Travel opens your mind to new ways of thinking. My first visit to Finland for a Global Colloquium was a revelation. The Finnish “why not?” attitude permeated their approach to life. Why not have a picnic in The Esplanadi Park with a glass of wine? Why not jump into a frigid sea in February? These attitudes transformed my perspective, encouraging me to embrace life more fully.
The Indelible Marks of Travel
From childhood through adulthood, my travel adventures have left an indelible mark on my psyche, values, and life choices. My husband of 45+ years eagerly adopted my tradition of yearly holidays, and our children grew up expecting family adventures. No matter the budget, we always found a way to explore new places, laying a foundation for an even healthier worldview.
We’ve even introduced friends to the joys of travel. For our 25th wedding anniversary, we planned a Mediterranean cruise and ended up immersing eight people in this adventure. That couple we first introduced to cruising? They’ve repeated the experience more times than I can count!
Looking Forward: The Future of Travel
But what if access to travel changes? The COVID-19 pandemic brought this possibility into sharp focus. In recent times, travel certainly has become more expensive, and due to World events certain locations are no longer desirable or even safe destinations. However, this new reality makes travel a more treasured experience than ever before.
So, why not take advantage of every travel opportunity that comes your way? With a more intentional and purposeful mindset, I plan to share life adventures with family and friends any chance I can!
This blog is an exerpt from my book “What if…? Finding new adventures through life’s obstacles”
Probe and Ponder…learning from life & travels with Roberta Sawatzky 