The other day I was in my bed I could not fall asleep… Something I heard that day got into my head: Be grateful for the people who have helped you and do not seek for gratitude from people you have helped!
That sentence was stocked in my head! My mind kept going back to the moments and people I met in my past three years traveling the world. During that insomnia night, I started counting, and in three years, I was hosted for free by more than 30 people – from friends, friends of friends, couchsurfers and also strangers.
And why am I saying this? Because I have came to realized traveling is little about places and much about people. Andrea has an amazing perspective about people we meet on the road – Go check her interview.
So if you wonder How can I travel so much?
The answer is: PEOPLE… Of course, having money, a job and savings are important but people are the key. I could never ever have traveled so much and for so long if I did not have people hosting me so many times.
And if you are wondering how do I meet people to host for free…
The answer is: I don’t look for it!
However, when you care about people, people are willing to help you.
I dedicate a lot of time to my friends and I love meeting new people, it is something that comes naturally to me. So you have an idea: Going to a party or visiting a new city and not meeting a new person is something that usually does not happen to me. When you are open to people, I guess people also open themselves to you and I believe that is the reason why I was hosted so many times for free during my travels.
But that’s not natural for everyone, you might say…
YES, I know! And I am not saying you choose change your personality. I am just saying, the more you share, the more people want to share with you. And never forget: ANYONE can ALWAYS teach YOU something.
After three intense years, always moving around and meeting new people, I feel blessed for all the love I got but especially for the The strangers, who opened me their doors and invited me to feel at home; who made me feel part of their lives and their countries. To those who have welcomed me, THANK YOU for everything… You really made my journey a wonderful period of my life.
I really hope I can help others in the futures as “strangers” once helped me.
Life is beautiful, my friends
Beijinho,
Daniela