Travelling abroad can be a challenging, yet life-changing experience. It forces us to open our minds to different cultures and personalities. As we jump on the plane and wave a goodbye to our friends and lifelong friends, we venture into a whole new world; a community of travellers that stem from different countries, speak different languages and hold different beliefs. Many of the people we meet throughout our journey will pop into our backpacking adventure for a reason: to show us a new city, to provide company in a new hostel and give us a boost of confidence during a complicated train journey. We learn to appreciate these people for the time we shared together, say goodbye and move onto the next place and the next group of people. Some of those we meet however, stick with us forever. The friends you make whilst travelling are the best kind...
“friends that travel together stay together”
5 Reasons The friends You Meet Travelling Are For Life
1. They appreciate and know you for who you are in the present
When we travel we free ourselves, to an extent, of the past. Our 9 to 5 job, our habits, those embarrassing high school moments and the expectations of what we are to become are left with our friends and family at home. As we embark in the unfamiliar, we begin to re build ourselves and reset our minds. We find confidence in who we are and begin to realise what is of most value to our lives. The people we meet in this present state get to know the REAL YOU. They have no pre conceived ideas of your personality and there's a humbling feeling that comes with the knowledge that these new friends actually like everything about your present self (including all of your strange and weird traits).
“There are no strangers in this world, only friends I haven’t met yet.”
2. You help each other conquer the unconquerable
Despite what some people may assume, travel is not easy. We are forced to navigate through unknown lands and say yes to things we may have never had the confidence to do. Human beings naturally bond with those that share a similar goal and with those that share the same special moment - whether it be hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, Skydiving over New Zealand's Lake Taupo, stumbling upon a hidden beach or finding your way back to the hostel with no google maps and a forgotten address. Together these moments will resonate with the both of you forever.
“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” – Winnie The Pooh
3. They encourage your to be your best
Those that travel tend to share a mutual lust for life, eagerness to try new things, an open mind and an addiction to learning the unknown. It's likely that the friends we meet on our travels share that same curiosity and itch. Throughout our lives 'catch ups' with these friends are always the best kind - planning another adventurous holiday that your friends at home would never dream of booking, having yet another crazy and impulsive night out, exploring your local city with a mindset of a traveller and in simple turns - making the very most out of life!
“Everyone needs a friend that will call and say, ‘Get dressed, we’re going on an adventure.”
4. Distance and time will never set you apart
As free spirited as you both are, your travelling friends don't need constant updates and Skype calls. You share a mutual love and respect for each other and there's no need to constantly validate that. You both know that you have each other's backs and will always be there for each other in times of need.
“There is an unspoken bond you create with the friends you travel with.” – Kristen Sarah
5. The best moments in your life include each other
There's nothing more exhilarating than breaking free from society's shackles and ticking off the bucket list! These moments will go down in the memory bank or the diary as the best times of your life. They will forever be implanted in your memory and will never fail to cast a big cheesy smile upon your face. These moments are tied to those people you shared them with, and they will be with your for a lifetime. As the saying goes... happiness is only real when shared.
“Sharing adventures means enjoying them 100% more.”
You should also read: why you should date a backpacker
