This article was written by a well-known comedian who wishes to remain anonymous because she puts on about 150,000 miles a year and spends over 200 nights in hotels and fears the wrath of an angry Flight Attendant who’ll deny her a half a cup of Diet Coke, or an irate Housekeeper using the toilet brush to clean the glasses in her room. Hey it’s happened before.
Ah, the joy of traveling. That is, if you consider shelling out a small fortune to sit in a cramped airplane seat for several hours, only to arrive at your overpriced hotel, with the added bonus of dealing with the stress of getting lost in a foreign country. But hey, it’s all worth it because you get to experience new cultures, right?
Let’s face it, traveling can be a pain in the neck. Literally, if you’re stuck in a middle seat on a long-haul flight. But why do we keep doing it? Why do we keep subjecting ourselves to the stress and hassle of travel when we could just stay home and watch Netflix?
The answer is simple: because we’re gluttons for punishment. Just kidding (kind of). In reality, the reason we keep traveling is because of the thrill of exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and escaping the monotony of our daily lives.
Sure, flights may be crowded and hotels may be expensive, but the excitement of waking up in a new city, going to a local market and trying new foods, and exploring the streets and landmarks that make a place unique is unbeatable.
And let’s not forget the people. Meeting new people from different backgrounds and learning about their lives and experiences is one of the most rewarding aspects of travel. Plus, you never know when you might make a lifelong friend or even fall in love (cue the rom-com music).
But let’s not sugarcoat it, travel can be a real pain. From lost luggage to language barriers, there are plenty of frustrating moments. But even the most annoying mishaps make for great stories later on. Who doesn’t love regaling their friends with tales of getting lost in a foreign city or ordering the wrong thing at a restaurant?
In the end, it’s the memories that make it all worth it. The memories of sitting on a beach in Thailand, hiking through the Swiss Alps, or exploring ancient ruins in Peru. The memories of the people we meet, the food we try, and the moments that take our breath away.
So yes, travel can be stressful, expensive, and downright annoying at times. But the joy of seeing somewhere new, learning about a different culture, and getting away from it all is worth every penny and every moment of frustration. So pack your bags, book that flight, and get ready for an adventure. Because in the end, the memories will last a lifetime.
