“The World is a book; those who do not travel, read only one page”~ Saint Augustine
I came across the above quote the other day and it got me thinking and I do believe that Saint Augustine got the idea right and we shouldn’t forget who the author is either. However I think that in a modern context it is probably more accurate to say that the world is a library and that those who do not travel only read one book.
The world today is for one thing a lot more accessible and travelling to far off places is almost as easy as checking a book out of the public library in your neighborhood. Easy doesn’t however mean cheap and rising oil prices have put a heavy burden on the modern day traveler.
Not even in today’s context does anyone ever cover the entire world; it is as close to impossible as reading every book in a sizable library is. There are bound to be books that you do not find interesting and ones whose content you will not agree with. Similarly the world is so diverse that there will be places that you will love visiting and others that you won’t enjoy as much. Two readers could read the same book and not agree on the message; likewise two travelers could visit the same place and come out with two completely different experiences.
However, the truth that the words of St Augustine hold is apparent to anyone who has turned the page. There are those who will spend the entirety of their lives not travelling and be content, not knowing what they are missing out on. It is when you venture out of your comfort zone that good things happen and travel is no different. For most people like me travel is as addictive as any drug that’s out there. If you are still wondering whether you should flip that page over or not all I can say is go for it! I promise you that it will quite literally change your world.
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