wanderlust

 

I've always loved traveling and going on holidays, but ever since first year I've had an even more intense desire to leave Toronto and travel the world. By definition, I'd say I have an extreme case of wanderlust. Originally I wanted to backpack and couch surf my way around Europe, but I'm glad I held out on doing that (at least for the time being). Europe is still top of my list in terms of places I'd like to venture to, but my mind is now much more open to exploring the rest of the world than it was back then. Back home we used to have a globe in our living room and I used to always think about how neat it would be to close my eyes, spin the globe and travel to the place where my finger ended up. Years ago that seemed like a far fetched dream to me, but as I grow older and more independent it seems like something that I could actually do in a few years time. After I finish my journalism course next year, my plan still remains the same as it was three years ago--work, work, work and save, save, save until I have enough money to head out on my first solo adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you travel and throw yourself into the unknown you have unlimited opportunities to learn not only about other communities and people, but also about yourself. Becoming aware of your surroundings opens you up to so many little things that normally go unnoticed. You can practice this before even leaving your own town too! Take a day off to wander around a neighborhood you've never spent time in before. Living in a big city like I do makes this task very easy and even more interesting too. There's still so much I haven't seen in Toronto, but I have definitely made a lot of progress compared to when I arrived here three years ago. It can be hard when you're a student, which is why the summer is the perfect time to go out and explore. Before last year I had never been to St. Lawrence Market, shopping neighborhoods further north, or the Beaches. For anyone who grew up in Toronto, those might seem like simple sights, but irregardless they were new territories for me. Even something as simple as eating at a new restaurant, or venturing out a little further west or east than you would normally travel can help open your eyes and pull your mind out of the unfamiliar. Although I do have my favorite spots, I've still kept an open mind in terms of going out to new restaurants, bars and concerts with friends, and have already experienced more new things this summer than ever before. In a few weeks I'll be heading out to Montreal for another first--a weekend long music festival (Osheaga). I love taking road trips with friends, listening to music and meeting new people, and this upcoming trip I'll have the opportunity to experience all three at once.

 

 

 

 

There are wonderful things to be seen no matter where you are in the world. Whether you travel ten minutes or ten thousand miles away, you have the opportunity to experience new things at any point in your life. No matter how busy you might say you are, allow yourself to make time to go on an adventure this summer, I promise you won't regret it :).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With love,

Ciara ♥