The Typical Tourist
I've been the typical tourist plenty of times. Sometimes this means being herded like a cow among cattle from one place to the next. Other times it means being somewhere that is carefully created to pamper to my every need.
This can be great if the goal is to be as brain-dead as possible and just go with the flow. Hey, sometimes we need that. It’s a “you take the wheel on this one” kind of vacation.
The downside is you miss out on real adventure; one you truly will never forget – one that changes you - expands your horizons - gives you the chance to really connect with others and learn about differing ways of life.
I’m 44 years old as I write this. I don’t remember that one great massage (ok, maybe I do), the really comfortable lobby of the hotel, or the 5 days of entertainment I had while I sat in a chair and watched.
No way! I remember the crazy stuff I kind of fell into by having a sense of adventure! The night dive where it was pitch black everywhere except the little round spot my underwater flashlight lit up. The insanely beautiful beach we discovered on accident just Jeeping down a random coastal road. The live band that was jamming on a cobblestone road with other locals – no other tourists in sight. The blood sausage we tried that was given to us by a blind lady we chatted up as she was eating dinner on her front porch. The moon dancing across the ocean’s waves during a midnight chill session on a beach across from an apartment we air bnb’d.
It’s this stuff you can’t just buy… You need to get outside the typical tourist stuff where everything is lined out for you – like you’re some kid going on a day camp – and go for adventure (without being stupid).
The Benefits of Adventure
I’ve tried to argue for adventure with stories. Now here’s the list, for the part of you that wants reasons.
Improve Your Physical Health. Getting dirty is good for your immune system. Walking, hiking, swimming and other physical exercise is good for your body.
You'll be More Resilient. Get more comfortable with the possibility things won't go as planned. Exercise your mind in planning, executing, and adjusting on the fly as you enjoy your adventure.
Stories Last Forever. Lots of things in life come and go. One of the things that can endure are the stories you have to tell. What makes a better story? The typical tourist story or an adventure that was full of surprises.
You'll be Less Stressed. Research shows that those who regularly take vacations that include vigorous activities have lower stress levels than those who don't.
It Will Make You Smarter. Immersing yourself in a different culture by getting off the beaten path will undoubtedly challenge your mind, give you new insights, and make you smarter.
Strengthen Bonds. Want to feel closer to friends or family? Doing group activities while traveling can do it. I'd recommend allowing time alone to recharge and then make the time together something you'll never forget.
Feeds Your Dreams. Sometimes we just need to get out of our lives to start dreaming again.
Builds Your Confidence. Pulling off an adventure successfully will give you more confidence!
Increases Your Drive. Many people report working harder after setting a date for an adventure but before going - all in anticipation of the trip. Then, with batteries recharged, people report working harder afterwards.
You'll be Happier. Stepping outside of your comfort zones in order to try new things can give you a rush in the moment. However, even after the moment is over they are more likely to retain positive emotions and minimize negative ones than those who just stuck to routine.
You'll Live Longer. Getting out and exercising while on your adventure can help you live longer. If you're like me, it's hell working out at the gym, but hiking some exotic mountain somewhere is FUN!
Safely try on an alternative Lifestyle. Want to tweak your life? Wondering where the time is going and feel a yearning for something else? Before you uproot everything and throw what you have away, try living differently for just awhile and call it a vacation; even an extended vacation.
Fosters reflectiveness. Just as a fish can't see water because it's all they know, we often can't see our own culture, norms, and thought patterns while we sit in them. Getting out of our lives and experiencing full immersion in something else can help us see ourselves. This brings a beautiful opportunity for self-reflection and growth.
Reignites wanderlust. We're born with wanderlust. Over time, the adults in our lives try their best to get us to stay put. Still, deep down, most of us have this innate desire to get out and explore the world. It's a beautiful one! Let's explore it while we still have days in our lives to explore it.
Convinced yet? I hope so.
I know it isn’t for everyone. Some, perhaps, have had more adventure in life than they’ve signed up for and just want to stay safe and comfortable. Others might be dead inside – just waiting for their bodies to catch up. Maybe their curiosity for life has withered up and they just want to keep doing what they do – until they can’t. Some folks are just happy in a bubble.
I hope none of that describes you. If it does – please wake up and have an adventure while you still have life in you! Come on! Let’s live a little.