Travelling(to read) 10th form

Travelling

Whenever we think of travel, we get images of spending our leisure time at a place, which is far from the hustle and bustle of our normal life, a place which is unique in its own way. We are fortunate to live in a world today where travelling is open to more of us, to a far greater extent, than

ever before. It is possible for us to travel virtually from anywhere on the planet to anywhere else within, at most, a twenty-four-hour time period.

This means that we have opportunities which even our own parents or grandparents could literally only have dreamt of and it is therefore important that we avail ourselves of these opportunities whenever we possibly can, for a number of very good reasons.

The most important benefit of travelling is that it is very much an educational experience. It opens our eyes to not only a wide variety of different places but to a variety of different cultures. It allows us to see the way in which other ethnic groups live their lives and to better understand the reasons why they do so. This can be an excellent way of eliminating misunderstandings and prejudices, and this teaches us to be more tolerant of other customs and religious beliefs. The experienced traveller thus learns to keep an open mind and cultivates a heart of tolerance for differences, as his frame of reference is wider. He recognises that his perspective depends on the angle from which the issue is faced, and so there is never only one truth, but the possibility of many truths not only exists but is

actually more likely. Travel allows 'living' opportunities to discover different cultures and communicate with people whose habits and histories offer fresh perspectives and experiences.

Second, travelling can be a wonderful way to actually see and therefore fully appreciate the magnificence of some of the world's greatest sites, of which we have previously only read or seen pictures. Whether we refer to the Grand Canyon, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef, or

any one of thousands of others, actually seeing these places with our own eyes is very different to seeing them even on TV Shows, books. TV and the Internet can never portray the reality of having experienced something first hand. It can open our minds to the natural wonders of the world around us and lead us to having a greater understanding of our world and the forces which act upon it. Leafing through a coffee table book on fine art or history simply doesn't compare to standing in front of the Venus de Milo statue or looking across the Grand Canyon. Add the dimensions of

sight and sound, the tastes of regional cuisine, the unique customs of other cultures, and you add genuine colour to black and white knowledge.

Travelling can be a fantastic way to refresh both our bodies and our spirits. It is frequently argued that a change is as good as a rest and this is particularly true when it comes to our immediate surroundings. Travelling gives us a chance to escape the daily routine to 'recharge the batteries' by

relaxing with family and friends, When we are travelling, we may spend even less time resting than usual but the distraction which it provides as well as the pleasant experiences can help us return home fully refreshed and ready to get on with the business of going about our daily lives with

new- found vigour.

Travelling can be a magnificent source of inspiration to such as the writer or artist. As all their senses are stimulated in new and exciting ways, the creative juices can really start flowing and allow them to come up with fresh ideas. Whether it is the smell of the spices in a Middle Eastern

marketplace, the awesome majesty of one of the world's largest mountain ranges, or the sandy beaches of a remote tropical island, sources of inspiration  will greet the creative traveller at every turn and twist of their journey.

All in all, travel is an experience not to be missed or taken for granted. Our homes are wonderful and safe havens in which we feel most comfortable, but there is definitely something to be said for stepping out of our comfort zones to travel to other places. It is not a requirement to travel far and wide at the great expense of time and money. There can often be an equal amount of adventure and discovery waiting in another part of our country as there is on the other side of the world. TheThe essential element is not where you travel to, but simply that you do.