I’ve traveled a lot over the years, and with that comes plenty of stories. Some fun, some real bummers. But the ones that really stuck with me are the ones that taught me something, lessons that were both unexpected and meaningful.
Travel isn’t just about seeing beautiful places or ticking things off a bucket list. Of course, the landscapes can be breathtaking, and the food can blow your mind. But what stays with you the longest are the people you meet and the moments you share. It’s those interactions, big or small, that leave the deepest mark. In the end, it’s not just about the destination; it’s the journey, and the people along the way, that make it truly unforgettable.
Some of my travel experiences have somewhat changed the way I see the world and myself. Here’s a few that left a lasting impression.
A Lesson in Gratitude from the Heart of Nepal
In 2017, I traveled to Nepal for a volunteer teaching trip at a local public school, where I taught basic economics, geography, and art. For art classes, I brought along some scratch art paper, the kind that reveals bright, colorful patterns when you scratch away the black surface. I handed them out to the students and asked them to draw whatever they liked. I expected the usual subjects you’d see from kids like animals, nature, maybe their families.
But what they drew caught me completely off guard.
Most of their drawings were New Year wishes—for me. I had forgotten that my visit happened to fall during Chinese New Year, and here they were, creating vibrant little messages wishing me happiness for the holiday. It was one of the most touching moments I’ve ever experienced.
I went there thinking I’d be giving them something, a bit of art, maybe a break from the usual lessons. But what I got in return was far more valuable: their kindness, their joy, and their genuine appreciation. I still have those colorful scratch art pieces on my bookshelf back home. Every time I look at them, I’m reminded to stay grateful, and to carry a little of their positivity with me, wherever I go.
A Reminder of How Small the World Can Be
A few years ago, while I was in Tennessee, I had an unexpected encounter that really made me realize how small the world can be. When I parked in front of an Airbnb, I ran into a fellow traveler. What made it even more surprising was when I learned she lived only about a 30-minute drive from where I live in Chicago. We had both arrived in Tennessee on the same day and had booked the same Airbnb. It felt like such a small world.
Later, we decided to grab dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I was really impressed when she ordered fluently in Spanish. It caught my attention not just because I had studied some Spanish in high school (and still struggle with it), but because it’s rare for me to meet someone in the U.S. who speaks a foreign language so fluently by personal choice, rather than through family or cultural ties. It’s always refreshing to meet someone who has learned a language purely out of curiosity and interest.
The surprises didn’t end there. We realized that our schedules for the next day were pretty similar, so we decided to check out a few places together. We joined a tour group of about 20 people. The guide shared details about the scenery and the cave, often pausing to ask the group questions. It was always my new travel companion who was the first to answer. As someone who is into geology, I was impressed by how much she knew about the topics. To be honest, I knew most of the answers too, but I don’t know the terms in English!
What stuck with me from that day was just how cool it is to meet people on the road and discover unexpected connections. It’s those little moments that make traveling so memorable.
Guess these two for this time… probably I’ll share more in the future.
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