I love to travel. A lot. Nothing materialistic will ever bring me as much joy, accomplishment, growth, or exhilaration as when I’m having adventures while traveling at home or abroad. Most of my spare time is focused around travel, going on adventures, and encouraging others to embark upon their own.
And by saying this, I realize that I put myself into a corner when it comes to talking with other people.
When we converse with others, topics flow better when there is a mutual interest, sincere curiosity, or a shared train of thought.
Not everyone likes to travel. And as such, not everyone knows how to talk to a serial traveler…beyond the “so where are you off to next” question. They’re stumped as to what questions they should ask a traveler.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question (or something like it), provided an answer, and then watched the conversation die because the person didn’t know what to say to me.
I get it. And it’s okay!
Travelers love to talk about all things travel-related: places they’ve been, weird and unusual experiences, ethical and sustainable travel practices.
So if you’re stumped on what to ask a traveler, here are some questions that you can ask to learn more about them, their philosophy regarding travel, and what they think about being educated by the world.
Oh, and I will answer them as well…because they’re fun and I love to talk about traveling!
When you travel to the far corners of the earth, do you feel like the world shrinks or grows?
I feel like the world grows. The more I see of it, the more I realize that I’ve only seen a little bit. And while it sounds crazy, I get excited thinking about it. Even people who have been to every country in the world haven’t see it all…and I’m nowhere near even thinking about that!
If you could pick up one superpower to have while traveling, what would it be?
I would want the ability to fly! Island-hopping would become a lot less motion-sick-ridden. Hiking would no longer be required to reach amazing summits. And I always travel carryon-only, so I’d be set! Plus, flights are expensive…so if I could be my own airplane in a sense, I’d have more money to spend on experiences.
Does traveling make you a better person?
I would take it a step further and define what “better” really means. Does traveling educate me? Surely. Do I feel superior to others? No. That’s silly. Traveling allows me to break down my preconceived notions of the world. It allows me to test myself.
I also feel like traveling allows me grow. In a weird way it gives me permission to be myself. Discover a deeper level within.
Can you really check places off of a list?
I don’t believe so. There’s always something new to explore and discover. It really bothers me when people say that they’ve “done” a place. Really? There are over 1,000 restaurants in that city…have you been to them all?
I believe it is possible to check experiences off of a list. Snorkeling in the Molokini Crater. Bungee jumping in New Zealand. Seeing the Grand Canyon. But saying that you’ve done everything in Paris? Not even lifelong residents can honestly say that.
Is it possible to travel in your hometown?
YES! I’ve written about this in the past and am a firm believer that you can travel in your hometown. You can have adventures everywhere – you don’t have to travel around the world to explore something new, taste something different, or make a new friend. Check out this post for more!
How did you fall in love with the world?
It was a love affair that I didn’t realize had begun. I was knee-deep before I knew what was happening. Was it my first real adventure in the Black Hills of South Dakota? My first girls trip to New Orleans? My first solo road trip? I fell in love when I realized that there was so much more to see than what I already thought I knew.
How do you know when you’re in the right place at the right time?
Yeah, there’s no real way to tell. But if you find yourself somewhere, no matter where it is, and you feel nervous, excited, curious, and at peace all at the same time, there’s a good chance that’s where you’re supposed to be at that moment.
If you were offered a one-way ticket to go on your dream adventure tomorrow, what would you say?
“Peace out, yo! I’m heading towards my next adventure!”
Like I would seriously say anything else. It’s like when we’re little and we dream about some long-lost relative seeking us out, only to tell us that we had a super-rich relation that listed us as next-of-kin and we were going to inherit millions of dollars.
Except now, I dream about someone buying me a ticket to an exotic location, telling me that I could leave and everything would be taken care of.
How do you reduce your impact on the world?
There are so many ways to do this, and I was taught a lot of them when I was younger: recycle, reduce, reuse. Walk when possible. Here’s an awesome article that I love and think it answers this question beautifully.
What does travel feel like to you?
Freedom. Elation. Discovery.
When I feel like a little kid again – unable to read most of the signs, scared to cross the street without triple-checking both ways, small – yet full of energy.
That moment of pride when in my favorite bakery in Germany, I ordered my breakfast in German…AND THE LADY RESPONDED TO ME IN GERMAN!
That sense of comfort when I step onto the subway/U-bahn/Tube and am finally able to relax and read, listen to music, or just people-watch…instead of straining to read the map and understand the stop announcements.
Is it better to plan out a trip or just leave everything open-ended?
SUCH a loaded question, and it comes with a complex answer. I believe in a healthy mix of both planning and winging it. Right now, I have a limited time to visit new places and try to make the most of that time.
When I’m going to a new place and have a short time-frame, I prefer to plan out some of the bigger things that I want to do, especially if I need to purchase tickets ahead of time…like I did in Boston.
When I return to places that I’ve been before, or if I have a considerable amount of time, I like to be more flexible and not plan out as much. Honestly, I haven’t been able to do this as much as I’d like to. I work full-time and since I travel a lot, I usually don’t have as much paid time off acquired before my trips.
When I get to a point in my life where I don’t have to count my vacation days and can travel for longer periods of time, I would love to be able to not plan things out. But for now, planning works best for me and my travel style.
How do you leave a piece of your soul behind in each place you’ve visited?
I remember when my 2nd niece was born. I wondered how I was going to be able to love her as much as her older sister. Once I saw her picture, I fell in love. I didn’t understand how I was able to have so much love towards her, but I didn’t care. I knew it was real.
I feel like traveling and leaving a piece of my heart and soul behind at each destination is kind of the same thing. I have no idea how it works. I fell in love in Germany. Poland changed my perceptions on the world. California will always have a soft spot in my heart. New Orleans was my first. You leave a piece of your soul behind when a place you visit impacts your life in some way, good or bad.
What is your travel style?
Carry-on only. Road trips. Yes to adventures, no to compromising who I am and what I believe in. Solo traveler. Stay-cationer. Sleep-in-my-car-on-the-side-of-the-road-to-save-time-and-money expert.
But most importantly – I believe that you don’t have to travel far to have an adventure!
Do you have to leave your own country/state in order to truly know it?
Not necessarily. I believe leaving helps put things into perspective and make you appreciate places/people/things in a different light. But sometimes leaving for long periods of time and then returning can give you a fresh set of eyes.
What questions would ask a traveler that might need to be added to this list? What are your answers to the questions? Have you ever asked any of these questions before?
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