MikeW and The FeelGoodGuy (David) cycling the French countryside! (source - author)
One of my favourite reasons for travelling are the positive experiences I have that essentially make me feel good. For me, there are many great things that travel offers. Firstly, I look forward and feel good about going on my trip...the packing, the preparation and excitement that comes with the journey to the airport and flight to the destination are something I really enjoy. I love the journey itself, particularly when the sights out of the plane, train or bus window are new and interesting. I also love to return, so I can look back at the great times that I have had and how much better I feel for it. I see travel as a kind of pick me up...a chance (especially after a busy term or year of school) to relax and revive myself, ready for the 'onslaught' of the new school term! Travel just makes me FEEL GOOD!
I believe one of the best things about travel has to be how it provides you with wonderful opportunities to meet people. And, it is these friendships that create such a brilliant feel good factor for any traveller. I have written before about the friends I have made through travel and all the fantastic experiences I have had following these trips in these peoples' home countries. In mid-August, I visited a good friend of mine, Kate, in Paris. Like any good visitor to the French capital, I made sure I indulged in the usual Parisian treats such as crepes, a wander through the Jardin du Luxembourg and an obligatory photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower! Despite all of these fantastic Francophile treats, the best part of the whole weekend (apart from catching up with a great friend) involved meeting Kate's friends. The friends comprised mostly of Kate's work colleagues who had meticulously organised a cycling trip, in the countryside, around the beautiful French town of Troyes. The group had an excellent dynamic meaning that the day was filled with laughter, jokes, some energetic cycling and top notch food and wine.
One of the group, David, and I got talking about a number of different things and we discovered a shared interest...in feeling good! I spoke of my love for travel and how much it makes me feel good. David talked about how he has begun a blogging journey where he aims to document experiences (and not just those related to travel) that make him feel good. The blog aims to inspire readers to take up new activities and get involved in experiences that will hopefully make you feel good too. And, in David you have a very willing and humorous companion on this journey to feeling good! You can find his blog at...
Such an interesting post! As a "friend living abroad" (actually THE friend in this very post) I often feel conflicted when I have a dear friend coming to visit from back home. The anticipation of having a precious visit from a cherished friend with so much to catch up on and the selfishness of wanting to keep them all to yourself, mixed with the wish for them to have an authentic un-touristy experience and also the chance to meet other wonderful people you have found in your new life... This little day trip turned out to be a blessed experience because everyone involved was just open to meeting fascinating new people and letting down any barriers, with an open mind and adventurous spirit. Great qualities for any solo explorer, which you bring in spades Mr TRGTALP!
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