Ever since I stopped going home for Thanksgiving in lieu of spending more time with my family at Christmas, Thanksgiving has become a day with a different kind of family. My friends and I have an orphan Thanksgiving dinner and any one and every one is invited. We make all the traditional foods- turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and some personal favorites of mine- pigs in a blanket and pumpkin pie. After we eat, we all go around the table and tell everyone what we are thankful for. We laugh, reminiscing about the good times and perhaps the bad that lead us down different roads, and always feel so happy and loved when we are done.
We first started Vagabond3 to share our RTW trip with friends and family so that not only would they have a constant contact but also they, too, would be able to travel the world- if only just through their computer. Over the last 10 months however, we’ve developed friendships and joined a community that is sharing and supportive beyond any expectations I could have had. I am so thankful for those moments with all these new friends, all around the world.
We’ve met some inspiring people who we’d love to have over for an orphan Thanksgiving, but until I can get all these people in one room, I asked some of my favorite travel bloggers to answer the question: Why are you thankful for travel? Below are their answers and please add why you’re thankful,too!
Heather, @noplacelikeoz:
“I love traveling for a variety of reasons, but what I’m most thankful for at the moment are the life-long friendships that have developed on the road. In London, I have a tight-knit group of friends I couldn’t help but visit four times over the span of two years. Several of them traveled to the US to spend a Thanksgiving with my family, and the whole gang met me in Ireland to celebrate my 30th birthday earlier this year. They’ll always be a part of my life, and I hope the future brings many more reunions!”
Suzy, @suzyguese
“Travel lends the ability for a perspective and change in attitude that no other area of life can give. I love travel for its power to not only change me, but also bring the world a little closer. In the end, we are all so similar, no matter where we live and travel highlights that fact. I am thankful for the independence, excitement and challenge travelgives. Without it, my feet would forever be itchy for travel sized products, luggage, conversations with strangers and seeing sights I had only imagined.”
Shannon, @SEASunDodger:
“I’m thankful for travel because it reminds me that my comfortable bubble exists only in my head, and that theworld is bigger, brighter, louder and more remarkable than I could ever imagine. It reminds me how small and insignificant I can be, but somehow makes me feel larger than life. It’s both what centers me, and my driving force; and without it I would be more than just lost, I’d be anchor-less.”
Matt, @LandLopers:
“Travel has given me memories and experiences that not only will last a lifetime, but will define it. It brings me closer to those I love while at the same time giving me a better look at myself. That is why I am thankful for thetravel opportunities I have had.”
Greg, @Culverlake:
“I’m thankful for travel for the obvious, oft-cited reasons that circle around the ideas of experiencing new cultures, broadening my horizons and seeing new things. More importantly though, I think what matters to me most is thattravel keeps me young. Ponce de Leon had the right idea, namely traveling the globe searching for the fountain of youth, but he missed the mark in thinking that it could be found in one place. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Traveling the globe, to destinations near and far, is the true fountain of youth. The wide variety of experiences, new friends and my constantly growing worldview are better than any “wrinkle-reducing” face cream or exfoliating mask.”
Caroline, @Cairinthecity
“I’m thankful for travel because it allows us to be whoever we want to be. Back home, you may be a quiet, mousy librarian type, but when you travel, you can be that loud, outgoing girl you never thought you could be. It’s like starting over everywhere you go. You can sing karaoke badly in front of dozens of strangers or kiss that cute Italian guy or be as bold as you want to be.”
Rebecca, @purplekat99
“I am thankful for all the experiences that travel has opened my eyes too, from learning how to budget (if I just eat a can of pasta today, then I can hold a koala tomorrow!) to meeting and communicating with all sorts of different people (and realizing we aren’t all that different). I am thankful for all my travel memories and the ones to come!”
Cathy, @travelingwithS
“For me, travel isn’t just about a destination, but the anticipation of going somewhere and the excitement of the journey itself. I love exploring new places, learning about people and history, seeing beautiful and unique sites, and enjoying different cultures. I’m very thankful for the travel experiences I’ve had and those to come.”
Spence, @spencerspellman
“I’m thankful for travel because I get to have conversations and experiences that some words just can’t do justice. What a world that we live in that travel has allowed us today to experience a sunrise from snowy slopes, and in the same day be able to be sitting on a sandy beach watching the sunset.”
Brooke, @WhyGoAustralia
“I’m thankful for travel on so many levels. I’ve been able to experience a number of cultures firsthand, make some of the greatest friends ever and even meet the love of my life. Travel has given me confidence to attempt things I would have never imagined, like immigrating to Australia!”
