Your Life is a Story – Each Path You Choose – A Chapter
I’ve come to realize that no two people interpret the world the exact same way. We all view the world around us through a unique lens that is shaped by our experiences. Each day we have the power to choose these experiences. We choose what we read, watch, listen to, and who we interact with. The story of our lives is written by the choices we make.
One of the most powerful ways to change our perceptions is through travel. Travel changes how we view humanity. Travel changes how we see ourselves. Travel shows us truth and love. The best way to find this is to take the road less traveled.
After our first two trips together, we realized that our best experiences came from the moments when we got lost, found deserted beaches, and befriended the locals. Each time we traveled we went further off the beaten path.
Choosing the road less traveled isn’t for everyone. It’s scary to think about all of the things that could go wrong in a country you’ve never visited and where you don’t speak the language. But the rewards for stepping out of your comfort zone are priceless.
Today we’re going to travel 5,500 miles to the country of Greece. Jer and I were blessed to have the opportunity to take the road less traveled and visit places like Methana, Sifnos, Milos, and Meteora. Through these off the beaten path experiences, we got to know the true Greece, which changed our hearts and minds forever.
Five Ways Taking the Road Less Traveled Ignites Change
Language
When you go off the beaten path, you can’t help but pick up the language. The further you get from the tourist attractions the less you see and hear English.
On a road trip to Northern Greece, we were frustrated to find that the road signs were only in Greek. It was even more frustrating when we realized neither of us could read the Greek alphabet. So there I am, in a World War II Memorial parking lot, trying to learn the alphabet as quickly as possible so we can get to our planned destination.
While a bit unnerving at the time, the benefits of this type of language immersion are priceless. Each time that we are forced to communicate in another language it gets easier. Each time, I learn new patterns and words that help me communicate better in English. Language is a powerful lens that changes how we interact and communicate. Each new experience is priceless.
Food
Since the beginning of time, food has been more than nourishment. It’s a labor of love. It’s social, spiritual, and symbolic. We have encountered some of the most amazing food going off the beaten path while traveling. Foods we bring home with us and change the lens with which we view the world.
On our last night in Athens, we wandered down a dark alley near our hotel and discovered Vassilis. They had the most amazing souvlaki in all of Greece. It was so good that on occasion I had the urge to fly back to Athens just for this dish.
Realizing that was a bit expensive for a plate of lamb, I learned to make it at home. About four times a year, we are transported back to that warm summer night in a quiet neighborhood café. A café we would never have found had we not taken the road (alley) less traveled.
Budget
The further you get from the other tourists, the further you can stretch your budget. While the hotels in Athens make you feel at home with American amenities, they come with a price. During our visit, we used hotel rewards, but the going rate at the hotel we chose was close to $200 per night. Compare this to less than $60 per night that we spent in Meteora and you’re talking about $2000 over a two-week trip.
The savings don’t stop with hotels. Small town restaurants offer delicious and inexpensive meals made from scratch. When it comes to sightseeing, you can visit four monasteries in Meteora for the cost of one ticket to the Acropolis. You are sure to experience more for less when you choose the road less traveled. Plus there’s the added benefit of smaller crowds.
Education
History, world religions, and cultural appreciation. While you could learn all of these things in a classroom, you’ll learn a whole lot more if you get out and experience them.
Jer is a huge history nerd! That nerd made walking around Athens fun by making stories of the Roman Empire come alive with Hadrian’s deep dark secrets. (Jer should become a history tour guide. He has the gift of making the most boring things super interesting.)
I loved learning about the Greek Orthodox faith in Meteora. But perhaps the best education you can get while traveling is the cultural immersion. The Greeks are genuinely social people and have mastered the art of slowing down and enjoying the moment. That’s something many Americans could get better at.
Self Confidence
Self-confidence is like a muscle that gets stronger the more we exercise it. There is no better way to improve your confidence than by stepping out of your comfort zone. The more often you do things that scare you, the more often you succeed. The more you succeed, the more you realize that you are barely scratching the surface of your potential. Overcoming obstacles, like getting lost in the mountains of central Greece, prove how very capable you are.
Next time you are planning a trip, commit to trying something new. Step out of your comfort zone and go down the road less traveled. Start with baby steps like renting a car for one day. You will never regret the experiences this road leads you to.
When you travel do you prefer to take the road less traveled?
If so, what is your favorite part about it?
If not, what is holding you back?
Share in the comments below.
Holly you and your husband are truly adventurous and very courageous! That’s definitely not something I can see Alex and me doing! I am Greek and my dad took us to Greece when I was 20 – it was an incredible trip so I especially loved your pictures and they brought me right back to that time! While I speak the language (not as well as when I was a kid) and can read a little – I still would find maneuvering around challenging. You guys are an inspiration!
Thank you, Ann. We have trained ourselves to be adventurous by taking a new step out of our comfort zone each time. It’s also nice that we push and support each other.
Greece is such a beautiful country and the people are so warm and generous. You must have had a blast growing up in that culture.
Holly, you and Jer are an inspiration. The trip sounds absolutely life changing, and I know that going off the beaten path made everything far more spectacular. Who wants all the amenities and the comforts of home when you’re traveling away from home anyway? Immersion, experience, that’s where you find the true gold. I happen to love the road less traveled. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Holly,
We are planning a trip to Machu Picchu with our kids in 2018. This post really drives home some of the reasons we aren’t going to some of the more traveled places. Hiking the Inca Trail seems so much more, us than a cruise or another typical trip.
Thanks.
Thank you for the comment, Robert. Travel is always life changing. We need to figure out how to do more of it.
I love your point about the comforts of home. Many of the places we have traveled, amenities were not an option. It has changed what we see as acceptable and necessary. It has also changed what we consider a necessary amount of living space. Learning to adapt to new environments has been a blessing indeed.
Always love to hear from others who take the road less traveled. What has been your most memorable experience?
Hey Holly – I love your generous perspective on your trip to Greece. I too was overwhelmed to realize I couldn’t navigate because I didn’t know the Greek alphabet. Fortunately I had my friend who knew Russian and could pinch hit for us. Aside from the fact that the internet was brand new when I went, how did we not know that??
I love this “Self-confidence is like a muscle that gets stronger the more we exercise it. There is no better way to improve your confidence than by stepping out of your comfort zone.” I think you are so right! Takes courage to commit and then follow through, for sure!! 🙂
Erin, thank you so much for the kind words.
I’m with you – “how did we not know that?” Not only could I not read the signs, they made no sense. Rather than Hwy 23, it was the road to Delphi. It took me a while to make sense of that. Before the trip, I diligently took planned the route and printed directions, but with no road signs, they were useless. Fun times!
Wow John, that sounds AMAZING! That’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
You know, I’ve never been on a cruise. There’s something to be said about a nice relaxing vacation, but I always feel like I missed something.
Sure thing Holly! Well, here’s one off the top of my head. I remember we were driving through the Adirondacks mountain range in New York. We were coming from Ohio. I have Siri (gps) on much of the time, but I tend to do the opposite of where she’s guiding just to take off roads.
After staying over at Lake Placid, we decided to make our trek toward Vermont. Just taking wherever the long and windy road lead us. It was beautiful.
Next thing you know it we ended up at this giant lake. I decided to give Siri a shot at that point, and she pointed for us to drive right through the lake. Did some lookups and realized we were pulled up to a ferry doc at Lake Champlain.
Lo’ and behold we found ourselves waiting for a ferry. We drove onboard, and the boat took us and the Pathfinder across this breathtaking lake at sunset and right into Burlington, Vermont. We walked around the boat during the ride, and just enjoyed the beautiful white sails in the distant and the setting sun.
Oh Robert, that sounds incredible. You’re making me rethink a trip we’re planning. My husband always wants to drive so we can bring our bikes. If it’s over 6 hours away, I tend to say NO WAY! That’s a lot of time in the car, but sometimes that’s where the magic happens. Thanks for sharing.