Thoughts on Travel

Some of my most vivid memories from childhood are of me sitting on the big world map rugs they have in classrooms. While my teacher rattled on about weather or whatever it was, we were discussing, I would examine all the different countries, captivated by the corresponding photos that represented them, fantasizing about the possibility of visiting each and every one of them. I mean, if they could get around the world in 80 days in that movie, couldn't I do the same throughout my life? Even then, this idea was absurd to my snot-nosed peers (and they couldn’t have predicted how expensive and hellish it would be to travel in this day and age). But that didn't discourage me. If anything, it convinced me I had to make it happen.

My first solo trip wasn't until high school. Technically, it wasn't a solo trip at all. In fact, it was me, the entire cast of Seussical the Musical, a few teachers, and a couple parents — but my parents weren't there so in my mind, I was basically alone. I was a budding young actress from upstate New York and couldn't imagine a better debut than performing on the Royal Mile during one of the largest acting festivals in the world. I begged and begged my parents to let me go and then spent the rest of the year working, rehearsing, and fundraising to make the trip a reality. I remember waving goodbye to my mom at the airport and feeling a palpable shift. I was REALLY living now. Out on my own exploring the world. Sitting in the airport cafe with my peers in Detroit while waiting to board our flight to London, I think I felt more like an adult than I have in most of my 25 years of life. I was about 15 crossing another country off the list, feeling invincible.

In Scotland, we promoted our show, saw theater productions that made me think differently about what art was, explored the catacombs, and performed for people from all over the world. The idea that New York City was the epitome of a “melting pot” quickly burst for me while we were promoting the show. The city had NEVER felt even half as diverse as the Royal Mile did during Fringe. I was so inspired and empowered. Going home, it felt like how you feel after a really good movie — my mind was racing with new ideas. I felt like anything and everything was a possibility for me and my dreams were unfolding in real time.

My next solo trip would, again, not really be solo. I was moving to Guatemala for part of the summer to live and work in the rural mountains of Tecpan. Service had become a huge part of my life, and I was so excited to make an impact globally. I later learned about the negative consequences of voluntourism when I moved to Costa Rica to work for this organization a few years later, but my trip to Guatemala was transformative. I had never been on a trip to someplace that remote before. We were so high up in the mountains that everything we did winded us. If the sun was not visible, it was absolutely freezing, and once it was visible, you were melting. During the majority of the trip, I didn't have access to the internet at all, so it was just me and the other volunteers far up in the mountains. During the week, we taught an English class at a local school. We would be there from about 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and spent most of the day refurbishing tables and chairs for the classrooms. There's no way it was impactful work, but it made me think of travel as a means of connection instead of just being a desire to see everything for myself.

I am incredibly lucky to have had the opportunities I've had, especially at such a young age, and that's never lost on me. I think it's one of the reasons I speak so passionately about travel. The perspective and confidence I've gained from my solo adventures have shaped me into the curious and courageous woman I am today. Follow along to learn more about me, my journey, and my unique perspective on the world.