During Week 1, We discussed in class both Why We Travel by Pico Iyer, and The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton. Along the way we also jumped into A Sense of Place by Michael Shapiro.

I feel as if I can particularly relate to Why We Travel. Iyer brings to our attention the different reasons people use to travel. Whether it be a search for ourselves, or a search for someone else, we all travel with an incentive. I relate to Iyer in the aspect that he travels to "leave all his beliefs and certainties" at home. I think you should completely experience the culture of a country, and leave all your prejudices aside. When I travel, I feel I leave behind all my stresses and even forget about home. I guess in some weird way I lose touch with reality. With that, I'm always disappointed when it's time to go back. It's nice getting away, being placed into a totally different environment with new exciting cultures, rather than having the same schedule day after day.

In A Sense of Place, we learn about a man named Tim Cahill and his motive for travel. We find out he travels for adventure. This, also, is something I can relate to. When I travel, I like to take risks and do something I haven't done before. Whether it being kayaking, or zip-lining over the ocean, I love it all. It gives me such an adrenaline rush. Now, though I would participate in these activities, doesn't mean I wouldn't take my life into consideration! It by no reason means I'm climbing up Mt. Everest anytime soon. I'd like to think I take the sane route.