The incredible beauty of traveling as a family
Enjoy yourself: the world is the right place for you to understand, be enchanted and to learn something
By Ronny Hein
Think about the world that exists around you. That which goes beyond your street, your city and your country. Think about the earth – which is a small planet in the solar system that is 150 million square kilometers in area, not counting any of the oceans.
You don’t need to have the deed or the ownership of any of this.
Every piece of it is an extension of your own backyard. It’s your right to get to know it, piece by piece. Yes, the task is arduous, but it is also one of the best things you can do in this life. It is a machine of knowledge. Only those who travel more, learn more: about geography, history, habits, customs and gastronomy… just to mention a few subjects that will enrich your existence and, from an early age, awaken this desire in your children.
However, there is a fundamental prerequisite. You must travel with an empty soul. Lose all your prejudices and, with an open heart, understand why people, for example, dress in different clothes, eat different foods, and have other ideas and dreams. They are no worse than yours: they are different – and it is with this difference that we can learn true tolerance.
The traveler, in general, is avidly curious. Nevertheless, he doesn’t go anywhere without prior information. Without reading guides and books and making careful preparations. In fact, the real journey begins in this way, together with the dreams and the expectations.
However, it cannot be expected for all those who seek to learn about the world to behave in this manner. There are those who prefer to relax on a beach, go to a resort with their family, party on a lively cruise or visit an amusement park.
All this is experimenting, getting out of the house and exposing yourself to new sensations, expanding horizons and meeting new people makes your own life a more complete experience.
Traveling with your family is another type of learning. There is nothing better. It is the special moment, when parents and children come together for a single purpose. The best type of approach, generally speaking, is when you are in unfamiliar territory, and families can see the value of their togetherness, the importance of safety and, of course, there are always new stories and information to share.
Learning while traveling is also an act of humility. If you spend three days in Paris, you can never claim to “know” France. In fact, wherever your destination, there will always be more to see and learn. Places change with the seasons of the year; their scents, their colors and their breezes. If you fall in love with any one of them – or if you didn’t even like them at all – always return. Give a new chance, always, to that city where it rained all the time and you found depressing.
Following the already mentioned thesis of knowledge, it’s great to know that you learn something new with every trip, even when things go wrong or get “stolen.” Trips with your family (or on your own) are permanent memories and, almost always, unique. Years go by and they will always be with you in the stories you share with friends and family, just like traveling again.
Other tips that frequent travelers often pass on (based on their own experiences): immerse yourself in the spirit of the place where you are. In the northeast of Brazil, eat northeastern dishes; in Europe, do not go in search of Brazilian restaurants and spoil the flavor of your journey. Whenever possible, be in the company of a person (professional or amateur) who can facilitate your trip.
The contradiction is that in some places, such as Venice, the best thing is to lose oneself. Between the alleys, bridges and canals, you should escape the intense flow of tourists and discover your own little corners of the city. Afraid of not being able to find your way back? No: Venice is a small sunken city and all the roads lead to the Grand Canal or the San Marco Basin – which, if they are strange names for you now, will always be remembered after your trip.
I need to tell you that I have already been to 82 countries (been to, not suggesting that I know them) producing books and magazines about tourist destinations.
I’m what some would call a professional traveler, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t stick pins into world maps. I believe traveling isn’t about math or statistics; it’s pure poetry. The more I know, the greater is my need to discover other things. Why do those women wear burqas? Of course, there is a reason. Are they happy like this? Why not?
This simple question and hundreds of millions of others arise when you are walking along a road, looking at a volcano, a glacier, a canyon or any of the wonders that are waiting for your visit, in your backyard – this planet of immense geographical, geological and ethnic diversity.
The answers to these questions will enrich your entire family, as they have been enriching mine for years, creating people who are more tolerant, open, and interested in the world that surrounds them.
