Hidden Cafes and Alleyways

Traveling isn’t something I just like to do… it’s how I want to live.

When I think about my life goals, travel is at the top of the list. It’s something I’m always reaching towards, a forever unfinished book that I love to read. I want to be a successful attorney, maybe open my own firm, write a book, join the Peace Corps, have a child, and see every country. Yes, EVERY country!

Right now I’m a full-time law student and working part-time. I share an apartment in the Boston area, have a cozy room to myself, and I’m so happy. I’ve gone to Israel recently for Birthright, and have plans for the summer that I don’t even want to say because I’m afraid to jinx it (yes it is that awesome of an opportunity).

The point is: my whole life revolves around travel. I don’t mind living in a small apartment, and I completely cut the concept consumerism out of my life, because I’m always saving up for my next trip. And I don’t see this ever changing.

Long weekend coming up? I’m looking up plane tickets. Bored, happy, stressed? I’m looking up plane tickets. Down time? I’m writing about traveling… and looking up plane tickets! Thank goodness for the snow day today, so I can finally write again.

When I think about the location of my home, I think it’s perfect because I’m a short Lyft ride from Logan Airport. All I need is my backpack and my passport, a possible visa, and I’m off.

When I listen to music, I’m daydream about traveling. I think about skydiving in Dubai, snorkeling in The Great Barrier Reef , and photographing ice caves in Iceland. I sleep best when I’m on an overnight train or in a hostel, because there’s the calm reassurance of adventure when I wake up.

I just never want to stop, and I get so excited when I meet other people who feel the same way. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work from abroad while accessing my work network through my laptop. Being able to participate in an international social work program revolving around the refugee crisis was such a rewarding experience. I want to do the Peace Corps some day, and I want to live in a different country. I may even make aliyah and return to Israel.

I feel so in motion all the time, and this has also allowed me to reflect on my own privilege, my ability to go where my heart desires, because I am “American”. I put that in quotes, because I don’t even know what that word means anymore. But everyone should feel this free to migrate, to move, to see the world, to live safely.

And for that reason, the #RefugeesWelcome movement means so much to me. My ancestors fled the anti-Jewish violence of Russia to come to America, so now I have the privilege of being a citizen and having a powerful passport that allows me to travel anywhere. Because of my passion to travel, I want others to be able to feel safe and secure in their movements throughout life, through migration, and through living in this global community.

Travel is more than a hobby because it’s turned into a lifestyle. My ambitions, beliefs, and reflections now revolve around the experience of travel. It’s helped me grow as a person and helped me feel centered in this constantly pirouetting world. I believe the education and experience that people can get from traveling is invaluable and priceless. When we turn our world into the classroom, we gain countless perspectives across time and places.

Feel free to comment below on what traveling means to you.

Hope my fellow New Englanders are enjoying their snow day and Dunks. 🙂