Dubai.

I just returned home from my trip to Dubai! I spent most of December visiting my dad’s side of the family. The last time I went to Dubai I was around 11 years old (and of course I didn’t appreciate it.) This time, however, I really enjoyed getting to see my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It is so nice to be out of your element for an extended period of time. I learned so much about the culture in the gulf and even more on the history of my family. Dubai is such a wild place in the sense that there are so many different people from all over the world interacting and coexisting. There is this huge paradox between the conservative local culture and the more liberal visitors and residents. I’d be happy to share more if you’re interested in hearing about it! Comment below! Also, I’m working on editing some of the photos I took while there and plan to upload them here as well as on Flickr, so stay tuned!

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Why Do You Travel?

Why do you travel? 

To understand yourself outside of yourself. To know your place in the world. To realize what you can do, who you can be, and how you can help. To break through the bubble you’ve lived in–whether good or bad–know that there is more out there, there is more to life. To see the injustices, the beauty, the creativity, the sunrises and sunsets. To hear the accents, the music, the rumble of the city, the roar of the jungle, the silence of the woods, or the calm of the ocean. To feel the pain, the joy, the suffering, the kindness of loved ones and strangers. To step outside, around the corner, buy a one-way, ride your bike, take the train, or just take a walk. To rediscover your home, or adventure to a new one. Open yourself up and don’t be afraid to be afraid. To absorb as much as you can. From the architecture that surrounds you, from the artwork in museums, from the foods you taste, and from the friends you make. To look up. At the clouds, the stars, the ceiling. At the beauty of exploring a place you’ve never been. To look down. At the grass, the cobblestone, the sand, the snow, the dance floor. To revel in each unique experience. 

That is why I travel.