Minimal Travels

Ah, sweet summertime.  Here on the ranch, we sent one of the kids off to Europe for study abroad.  We haven't heard from him much, but have proof of life thanks to Snapchat and Instagram.  It looks like the time of his life is being had.

He's also learning about minimalism.  He had to pack his worldly goods into one backpack and suitcase, leaving him nimble enough to lug his life on planes, trains, and through teeny living spaces.  He found that the Europeans do not live in 3000 sf places, nor do they thrive in the excess we do here.  And guess what, they and he are doing just fine. 

I'm about to do the same. Can't send the kid off to see the world without seeing a bit of it yourself.  Traveling with less is a challenge for me, despite my minimalistic tendencies.  I tend to plan for the worst.  Travel guru Rick Steves said most Americans do that, but he reminds that they DO sell umbrellas and bandaids in Europe.  You don't have to plan for every eventuality.  Just go live.

I plan to do that. I figure, armed with my laptop, good walking shoes, and my Visa card, I should be just fine.  I don't buy souvenirs on trips.  I used to be all about the shot glasses and t-shirts, but now I only want to carry around my memories on my hard drive and in my brain.  NOT to my retirement home.  Souvenir, as you may know, is French for "to remember", and I don't want to remember my travels with tchotchkes.   I'll stick with pictures. 

I think travel is the best gift you can give yourself.  Seeing the world's largest ball of string or the statue of the David or Mount Rushmore are all magic moments.  I'm not a fan of travel "bucket lists" (see my blog on Kicking Your Bucket List ) because I don't try to focus on checking off what I want to see so much that I am not focusing on the beauty of the visit.  But to be clear, my children will see the Mona Lisa if they have to stand behind 50 Asian tourists holding iPads up to take her picture and prove her presence.  We aren't going to Paris and missing that opportunity.  It's a must.

Travel light and travel often.  Your brain will be so much more awakened than if you spent your money on something you can touch, like a TV or a newer car.  You'll meet people you can't understand (even if you only travel domestically!) and eat things you can't identify (again, just go to Louisiana) and your life will be better.  In the words of Boy Wonder's professor who is supervising the study abroad trip: "If your life isn't changed by this trip, it's your own fault".

Happy Trails, minimalist friends... the world is out there.