Travel is such an individual experience and I’m reluctant to dole out too many “should”s about it, but I have another important “tongue-in-cheeky” travel tip I’d like to share. Well, it’s more a recommendation:
Have a moment with a monument.
The capitol building, Washington, DC
It took more than a few moments for them to be carved by nature, or Michelangelo, or world events. The duomo and David or the Grand Canyon or Uluru rock and other such masterpieces of man and nature deserve more than a fleeting glance and self-held snapshots taken to document you in front of greatness. Soak it in. Absorb it. Resist the practice of just ticking another iconic site off your bucket list as you stroll around it, on it, before it or through it with your friend, spouse or tour group debating where to procure your next gelato. I’ve caught myself doing this very thing! In Italy it’s gelato, in Paris; crepes: In Thailand, I crave and seek street-food Roti, a delicious pancake filled with savory delights or smothered in nutella and sweetended condensed milk and see..? I just veered off track. I do it when I travel, too. 😉
“The Creator made Italy from designs by Michaelangelo.” ~ Mark Twain
There are benefits and drawbacks of solo travel, but one I am coming to appreciate more and more is the ponderful time I have with masterpieces of nature and man. So, if you’re traveling with a companion or two, I suggest the practice of separating for 15-30 minutes or more to have your moment. To reflect on the greatness and significance of Brunelleschi’s brilliance in creating the largest non-supported dome, or Michelangelo’s boldness in expressing vulnerability in his David. Take in the meaning of rituals at incense-infused temples where you’ve dutifully doffed your sandals. Share a drink or tapas with the locals in Barcelona. Observe a thoughtful moment of silence in the sand on the beaches of Normandy or the attic of the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam.
“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
Peaceful prayer at Wat Po, Bangkok
Divide and Ponder
It’s especially useful to divide and ponder in cathedrals where silence is requisite. When you rejoin your traveling companion/s, you’ll both be refreshed, enriched and enjoy sharing your perspectives. Maybe, if you’re a blogger, you’ll share your impressions with us.
Vintage Grand Canyon. Yes, that's me up on the wall - starting early. (I believe they have guardrails now!)
“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.” ~ Aristotle
You traveled far and long (lugging luggage, mind you!) and so I implore you to sit serenely by those seasides, gawk at soaring feats of architecture and art, allow the voluminous gush of spectacular waterfalls to spray your smile, and yes, put away your iPhone for a disconnected moment…that’s really a connected one.
Yosemite is certainly worth a moment (or twelve) of reverence.
All photos by Gina Stark
You may also like: The Serendipity of Traveling Solo – Or, Why There is No “of course!” in the Italian Language
and Tongue-In-Cheeky Travel Tip: The Key to Pleasing Parisians
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
And that's me sitting on the wall next to you – what a different time it was, indeed (I can't show these photos to my kids!). Good advice about moments with monuments – beautifully put 🙂
Thank you dahlink! We did have an adventurous childhood. Thank you for being a fan of Gitana! 🙂 xoxo
loved this !!
Thanks Ana! I'm so happy you've been traveling more…it stays with you, enriches you…and incites yet more travel dreams. xo Gina
Agree 100%!
Thanks Nat and Tim! Hoping you're both having many such moments in your travels and your home time. 🙂 Gina
Ahhhhh, such Wonderful advice! I think that much as in day-to-day life, when people are traveling; they adhere to an agenda that often detracts from the enjoyment of the moment! And, as We all know; each of those moments should be so precious. Life is made up of such special spaces of time, and without them; life must surely pass You by without really experiencing the Wonder of ALL of it! Too much of it is already consumed with the race to get ahead, to own, to conquer, and really…..Life is made for Living, experiencing, Loving, absorbing, enjoying…..for too soon it is over; and what will it all have been for? Thank You Dear Gina, for reminding Us how Amazing life and the Love of it can really be; when We disconnect and just ENJOY the quenching of that thirst!! XOXO
Ellie Dahlink! I agree…it does apply to life in general as well. I sat on the sand yesterday after my hike. Cross-legged and barefoot. I forget to stop and really gaze at the view, feel the earth under me, be present – especially when I'm in movement. I have a goal to move and move fast. I stop to snap photos and sometimes I share them. But too often I forget to stop and breathe and feel. And soak it up and in. Thank YOU for the re-reminder, my friend! 😉 Happy moments xoxoxo Gina
Love the vintage Grand Canyon shot. Yes, there are more safety precautions today, but tons of kids still sit on the ledge! It gave me butterflies in my stomach when I was there – I was way too chicken to go so close! But a bit of fear aside, I can highly recommend the parks of the American Southwest – really incredible scenery and amazing presentations by the park rangers
Thanks Turnipseed, for visiting and reading 🙂 You offer a great reminder to me and my readers to remember to tap into the awesome resource of park rangers who share their enthusiasm and insights to make our own visits more rich and rewarding! And trust me, I get more butterflies from heights than I did at that age. Happy travels and exploring! Gina
I love that phrase "Have a moment with a monument", it could catch on 🙂
Too many people arrive, take a picture and move on. It is good to sit and absorb. No picture ever quite catches the essence of the atmosphere you have at a special place.
Well written and very thought provoking, thanks Gina.
I love the title! thats exactly what i've learned doing lately.
Good to hear it, Melvin! Happy travels. G