Travel: The Ultimate Love Affair with the World

A JOURNEY OF LETTING GO

It was 2013, and I had just had an incredible year filled with unforgettable experiences. But in November, I found myself at a crossroads. I had just spent two amazing weeks in Istanbul and was on my way to Brazil. I had a two-hour flight from IST to Frankfurt (FRA), where I’d connect to a flight to Guarulhos (GRU) in Brazil. Everything was set in stone. The two weeks in Istanbul were incredible, and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had to move on. When I arrived at Frankfurt Airport, I couldn’t help but wonder why I had to leave. I started questioning whether I should go to Brazil as planned or if I should instead go back to Istanbul and spend a bit more time there.

We Brazilians often find ourselves surrounded by messages like, "You're not supposed to enjoy life," "We don't have enough money," and "What will others think?" It was easy to push aside our big dreams and just stick to what we are "supposed to do." But deep down, something felt off. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to life than just following the rules. So, I reached out to a dear friend for some advice. I poured my heart out, sharing my doubts and frustrations. She listened patiently and then asked, "Is there anything in Brazil that you absolutely can't miss?" I chuckled and replied, "Nope, nothing like that!" Then she hit me with the big question: "So, what do you really want to do?" That simple question opened the door to a world of possibilities!

THE TRAVELER'S SPIRIT EMBEDDED IN OUR DNA

I’m not a historian, but I’d say humans have always been wanderlusters, even before they could walk upright. Throughout history, we’ve heard tales of epic pilgrimages and long-distance journeys across oceans. Many of these were done on foot, from Africa to Asia, the Americas, and beyond. People moved for various reasons, like seeking better living conditions, but curiosity also played a big part. This urge to explore never faded, and now, we travel more than ever. So, what does this tell us about our nature?

I believe we travel for many of the same reasons as ever! For some, it’s about seeking a better life, escaping tough living conditions, or finding safety. For others, it’s the thrill of curiosity—exploring the wonders of nature, marveling at human achievements, and immersing ourselves in diverse cultures. Ultimately, we’re all on a quest for new stories, whether we’re living them ourselves or sharing them as eager "readers" of the world. Every journey is an opportunity to discover something extraordinary, and that’s what makes travel so enriching and inspiring!

We don't need to walk across continents any more

MY JOURNEY BEGINS

Growing up, I definitely had some push to become a traveler. Born in Brazil, soon my family went to live in Paraguay, on the border with Foz do Iguaçu (IGU). That was temporary until my father got a company's house in Foz do Iguaçu. My first experience with another language and another culture. Due to the nature of my father's work, we moved a lot and that gave me a sense of ease when arriving at a new place. It wasn't hard to meet new people, make friends and establish a life.

At just 15 years old, I embarked on my very first solo adventure, and it was a journey that would leave a lasting impression on me. Working as an electronic technician for a company in Curitiba (CWB), I was given the opportunity to attend training in Belo Horizonte (CNF). I remember boarding my flight with the now-defunct airline VASP, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Those two weeks turned out to be some of the most unforgettable of my life, filled with new experiences, challenges, and a sense of independence that I had never felt before. It was a pivotal moment that ignited my passion for travel and exploration!

A little later in my life, when I was 28, I took a job with a German company. I was going to work remotely and I had to visit the office a few times per year. That's when I really became a traveler. Since it was a travel company (and I was in the IT department), it was easy to get great promos to travel for leisure as well. I could travel, work from anywhere in the world and just enjoy all those new experiences. By then, I was also in love with photography. Perfect combination. In 2006 I traveled to Europe for the first time (during the World Cup) and had a blast. I knew that was what my life was supposed to be. The world is too beautiful to be left alone. I had to go to every "corner" and make friends everywhere. And I did made friends for life.

Ready to fly

OUR RIGHT TO EXPLORE

Although more and more people have been traveling these days, I still see a lot of people who aren't. People have different dreams, and that's alright, but I do feel that getting out of our cocoon every once in a while does wonders for our mental health and our view of life. If you don't travel because you really don't care much, that's alright, to each their own and you have the right to be happy as you wish. Now, if you don't travel because you feel "it's not for you" or "you'll never have the money", then do yourself a favor and go travel, even if it's to a nearby place where you've never been. Photograph, talk to people, try their food and try to understand their way of life.

There are ways to travel on a budget (maybe I'll write about it some day). You'll not regret, I can guarantee. You do have the right to explore. There might be language barriers, visa barriers, but the world is just so big that you'll find places you can go without much hassle. Give it a try and come back to let me know.

Rothenburg ob dem Tauber, Germany

THE ONE TRIP THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

After my divorce in 2012, I found comfort in travel. With each journey, I met incredible people, made lasting friendships, and savored delicious new cuisines. But one trip, in particular, would change the course of my life. It wasn’t to an exotic or unknown destination; it was a visit to my cousin in Curitiba (CWB). On a whim, I decided to try a popular dating app, thinking, “Why not?” Little did I know that I would match with a stunning girl who lived just a few meters away in the neighboring building.

After weeks of chatting online and countless phone calls from my home in Canada, we finally arranged to meet in person. She confessed that she wasn’t much of a traveler and had no interest in visiting Canada. I smiled and replied, “No worries, we can still be friends.” Fast forward to today, and that friendship blossomed into something beautiful. We’ve been happily married for over five years now, and she’s even become a Canadian citizen! In the years since, she has embraced travel like never before, and together, we eagerly anticipate our next adventure, ready to explore the world hand in hand.

She "didn't like" traveling...

TRAVELING CHANGED MY LIFE

Absolutely, traveling has transformed my life in the most positive ways. I can confidently say that I’ve become a better person because of it. Each journey has taught me the importance of respecting and embracing our differences, and I’ve come to truly appreciate the rich mix of cultures that exist around the world. There’s so much we can learn from one another—whether it’s through observing social interactions in different countries or savoring the diverse flavors of local cuisines.

My heart is set on exploring every corner of the globe, as long as it’s safe. I know that with the conflicts we see today, we must be cautious, but I remain hopeful. It’s important to remember that the local people often have little to do with the decisions made by their governments. I genuinely believe that, at our core, most people are good-hearted and welcoming.

Appreciating life - Montreal, Canada by zagnolphotos.com

WHAT ABOUT ISTANBUL?

After the call with my friend, I knew what I had to do: I had to go back to Istanbul, since that's what I wanted and I had no reason not to do it. So after 1h of landing in Frankfurt from Istanbul, I bought a new ticket and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight back to the historical city of Constantinopla. Before I knew it, I was back and ended up spending several months in Istanbul, didn't regret a bit.

I wanted to tell this little tale because, while it might seem a small thing to some, it was a big deal to me back then. It was liberating. Such experience taught me that many times we don't live our lives to the full extent of it due to many limiting beliefs that are set when we're growing up, be it due to our culture or the place we come from. This is not anybody's fault, it's just how things work. We humans are complex beings, psychologists will figure us out, but for me it's about self-discovery, being respectful to our essence, but also to our past, family and friends. That's the great thing about life and the world we live in, we can always learn and be a better person tomorrow.

That's me in Istanbul

Now It's Your Turn

If you’ve made it this far, I’m so glad! I’d love to hear all about your travel stories and why you love (or not) exploring the world. Click the button below and don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family!