Truths Collected While Traveling: 6 Lessons (08:17)
It Was Too Late to Turn Back Now
The pilot announced that boarding was complete, and a wave of panic set in. I wanted to stand and leave but at this point it was too late. In true me fashion, I had committed to an idea and was determined to see it through. My feet moved swiftly through the steps I needed to take but now I was faced with what I was about to do.
I was 18, heading abroad alone for several months. My destination: Cuba. I wasn’t fluent in Spanish but I was going to learn. Life had felt stifling lately and with too many frustrations weighing me down, I decided to leave for a while and try something new. Subconsciously, I guess I wanted to get away as far as possible.
The Start of Something Bigger
My first solo trip was definitely an escape, but it turned into something far greater. Little did I know, that decision would become one of the most defining moments of my life. Travel became a core part of life but in later years I’ve come to deeply appreciate how much it enriches me as a person.
Here are six lessons I’ve learned so far on my journey.
1. Travel as a Leveller
In my earliest years, travel opened doors to conversations with people of all ages. Being well-travelled helped me bridge gaps and connect with others over shared experiences and global perspectives. It seemed to transcend both class and age.
I still remember sitting at a dinner table with a family friend who was retiring in his late fifties. His ears perked up when I mentioned some of the places I’d visited, as he was trying to decide on a second location for his family. He wanted my fresh perspective to help consider different elements for his children.
2. Choices, Values and Perspectives
I learned that values differ from one region to another. Traveling reinforced what I’d always felt – that material things don’t equal a rich life. I saw vibrant, close-knit communities with more warmth, connection and joy, despite having less. It made me question the social norms I’d grown up with and realise: I have a choice in how I want to live and I don’t need to mindlessly follow what’s around me.
I have countless stories witnessing different values at play. One example is from Ubud, Bali (Indonesia). I noticed a shopkeeper napping peacefully on a mat in her store, along a row of open-air bustling roadside shops. Despite no doors, she seemed unafraid about theft, trusting her fellow shopkeepers (and competition) to look out for her.
Later, a local woman explained to me that on the island of Bali, karma plays a significant role in shaping people’s beliefs and behaviour. Most strive to act kindly toward others, not wanting bad karma to follow them, which in turn fosters a sense of safety and community. She mentioned other parts of Indonesia were different however; in the busy capital city of Jakarta people mostly focused on money and business, so the people there have less time for each other and tend to be harsher – a reality I know all too well! I often say the West is dominated by stress, pressure and time.
I’m naturally a non-conformist, but I guess exposure to these things has helped me develop a more independent way of thinking over time. I’ve learned to question everything, to stay true to what resonates with me, and to keep a long-term plan or vision in mind, rather than simply conforming to whatever society promotes.
3. Global Disparity
Travel opened my eyes to global inequalities. Cuba was my first real encounter; I was struck by the contrast between talent and expertise of its people – especially in fields like medicine – and such low wages. Cuba was (and still is) known for its exceptional medical training, yet the doctors earned frustratingly little. Over time, I came to understand the broader forces at play, from economic sanctions to global power dynamics.
Ultimately, I realised that the global economy didn’t fairly represent expertise or worth. Regardless of news outlets and stereotypical media programming, my outlook soon became people are people… we are literally just born in different places and therefore have varying levels of access to resources and opportunities, due to power plays on the world stage.
As a young adult, I began to realise that the currency I earned in (GBP) could do much more elsewhere; I started to ask myself ‘what can I do with what I have?’ Further to my own career in the public sector at the time, I began supporting organisations in different parts of the world. Since the age of 23, I’ve sponsored children in different countries, providing support for their education and healthcare. From El Salvador to Ghana to Gambia, I’ve seen first-hand how it can make a big difference to those living in rural parts of their countries. In my eyes, we have multiple means of doing something about that which frustrates us and no act of love is ever too small.
4. Inspiration
Travel has inspired me in countless ways – not just through people, but also through the different ways that countries operate.
Take Thailand, for example. Did you know Bangkok is consistently ranked the world’s most visited city? Yet, despite the influx of tourism, they have a firm approach to maintaining their traditions. I remember trying to visit some of the biggest temples, not knowing it was an annual Buddhist ceremonial day and temples were closed to tourists. There was no apology or exception – it was their day and culture came first. And yet I imagine other places may consider bending the rules for just a little more money, or out of fear of turning away tourists.
Thailand has even closed entire islands to restore natural habitats damaged by over-tourism. Maya Bay Beach, featured in The Beach, was closed for over two years to rehabilitate its ecosystem. It reopened with new rules to protect the area, a testament to prioritizing sustainability. Even more islands have recently been closed for restoration.
Lastly, restaurants frequently display signs informing tourists that food will not be rushed, as everything is freshly prepared on-site each day. This serves as a clear reminder of their own standards, regardless of external international expectations; a signal that fresh, made-to-order meals take time, unlike fast food or preservative-packed conveniences.
These choices demonstrate that preserving culture and nature is as important than just simply welcoming visitors. After all, keeping your culture intact is part of what makes a country so attractive to visit. The true essence of a nation, and its people, is what makes it unique.
5. Cultural Appreciation (Not Appropriation!)
There are beautiful perspectives of life that I’ve learned and adopted from other cultures. I believe we could gain a lot from each other if we didn’t always centre ourselves and our way of doing things. A little humility makes the world a much bigger place. Traveling has taught me to approach other traditions with respect, without trying to claim or alter them.
Understanding other cultures has also enriched my career. Living in London, a diverse metropolitan city, I have found that being culturally competent helps me connect with people and combat societal challenges with a broader perspective. For example, in 2021 I wrote an article for EniGma magazine, ‘a leading international Arab lifestyle magazine for sophisticated readers in the Middle East and around the world’.
The article was based on my years of community work with families and young people on the topic of how to support teenagers, through the technological revolution. As I gathered my thoughts, I reflected on the Arab families I had worked with in London, as well as the parents of friends, reminding myself of their values, concerns and witty comebacks. My goal was to write an article that addressed the demands of the technological era while also honouring community and traditional values.
As a businessman recently said to me, many people travel – often for holidays – but few are worldly, possessing knowledge and understanding about the world.
6. Health Matters
‘It’s my 3rd week back home and I’m ill, of course.’ – Journal entry, 2022
Travel has highlighted the impact of climate, diet and lifestyle on my health. Sunshine, fresh food and a slower pace always does wonders for my physical and mental health. Especially as someone with melanin in their skin, vitamin D quite literally improves my wellbeing.
I’ve observed that solo travel keeps me particularly active – often choosing to walk rather than take taxi, and embracing local meals void of ultra-processed options. Back in my hometown London, I try to maintain these habits, staying mindful of what I eat and how much I move.
It can be easy to fall into the habit of convenience and poor dietary choices when they are the norm, as they are in the West. The United States, for example, has the most ultra-processed food in the world – up to 70% of their food supply[1]. In European countries, British children have the highest levels of ultra- processed food intake[2].
Despite this, I make my own commitments to maintain healthier habits. After all, our health is worth the conscious effort to improve.
[1] https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/26/health/ultraprocessed-hyperpalatable-foods-wellness/index.html
[2] https://www.soilassociation.org/media/25470/taking-the-biscuit-2023-report.pdf
In Closing
“Imagine if social media had been around when you first started traveling,” my dad said as he manoeuvred the car, mid-conversation about my past adventures. “Your page would have been crazy!”
I laughed – he was right! But cheers to living the life you want, whether or not anyone else is watching.
The world is vast and beautiful, waiting for those brave and curious enough to explore it. I hope you decide to venture out there too.
❤️ D xox