Travel far enough, you meet yourself. --David Mitchell

There is beauty to be found all over, you simply need to seek it out. For most, we are afraid to come out of our shells, thinking of the worst when we leave our comfort zones. But what a sad life it is if we are too afraid of new experiences!

When we travel, we must not confine ourselves to our hotel rooms. Go outside and don’t fall for the tourist traps. Try to find what the locals enjoy and where they unwind. Be adventurous and try new things, enjoy new flavors, and lose yourself in an entirely different culture. 

Now that’s not to say to let your guard down and say yes to every proposal thrown your way. There’s always some level of caution one must observe when venturing into new places. But the best way to never fall victim to potential scams or danger is to feel at home wherever you are. Don’t let anyone think you’re lost. Instead, take in the sights and put yourselves in the shoes of the locals. This will also give you a better appreciation of the place as you learn through your surroundings. 

When in doubt, remember this passage from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, “Not all those who wander are lost.”