Madame Travels

Robert Louis Stevenson traveled for “travels sake,” to be on the move: destination was an afterthought. As Stevenson wrote, “The great affair is to move …”

And that is how and why I travel. I may have a country or two in mind, do some research into history, culture and language, but other than the first stop, I dislike booking accommodation ahead of time: what if I decide to stay longer, depart early or totally change my plans? Those decisions are based, in part, upon what I learn locally. Flexible best describes my travel style.

I also travel to meet people, to become less of a stranger to the world, which isn’t easy because I’m shy - but I go anyway. Being less of a stranger means that preconceived notions about what people believe and how they live can be replaced by insight and friendship. I don’t want to paint a rosy picture because travel isn’t always fun: lost luggage, personality clashes, and cultural differences are travel pains, but they are worth it. I can’t imagine living without travel.

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