Comments on: Do You Push Your Personal Limits When You Travel?

By: Stephanie Spitler

Stephanie Spitler — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:17:50 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Olivia! I’m so glad that your experience in Paris fueled your desire to travel, instead of diminishing it.

By: Olivia B.

Olivia B. — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:54:22 +0000

I had an experience very emotionally similar to the bridge-across-the-peaks described above. I was in Paris with a friend, at the end of an Euro – trip gone sour. I realized too late that I had picked someone manipulative and inconsiderate as my travel partner. My friend was bailing on me in Paris, 4 days early. I remember calling my mother from a payphone on the Champs Elysees, crying and asking her what I should do. She was understanding, but encouraged me to stay the 4 days by myself and try and enjoy the rest of my time there. I agonized over the decision all night, but by the morning, I was too haggard and too upset; I changed my flight to come home early. When I finally got home, I was so mad at myself; I felt stupid, shortsighted, and I really regretted not sticking it out in Paris. I felt weak. That was 4 years ago. Since then, I’ve been to a few other European countries, some by myself, plus Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, with a trip to Qatar coming up soon. I’ve walked through refugee camps in south Beirut and ridden a horse through Cairo traffic. And I’ve since been back to Paris and fallen in love with it. I think a lot about my decision to come home early from that first trip, and in hindsight, I think it made me a better traveler. I’ve pushed myself so far since then, precisely because I was able to recognize my limits early on. If I had stayed, I might have had a wonderful, relaxing time. But I might have kept on feeling upset and hurt, but I would have been alone in a strange city. All I know is that trip made me want to get back on the horse, and travel again and again, and do it better every time.

By: Stephanie Spitler

Stephanie Spitler — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:16:00 +0000

Awesome, Ali!

By: Ali Sifton

Ali Sifton — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:55:41 +0000

When traveling around the world by myself in 2009, I set a goal for each continent. In Europe, I challenged myself to be more outgoing, walking up to groups of people to meet new people. In Asia the goal was to try scuba diving (something that terrifies me to this day), and while I didn’t like it, I can say I tried. In Australia, it was all about taking advantage of the beautiful scenery, skydiving and learning to surf. All-in-all, each experience pushed me mentally to go outside my comfort box, something which has served me well since returning to Canada and starting my career.