1. The experience of traveling to a destination is subject to circumstance and event.
Someone may have a wonderful and unique time in Rome, by staying at a hostel or couch surfing, by
meeting great people and having an overall positive time there. However, others may have a completely
different experience, based on who they met, where they stayed, and what happened. For each and every
person, a place will feel different and the experiences one has there will differ from anybody else’s, no
matter the kind of destination. Travel and perception are both subject to the relationship of experience in
each individual’s eyes.
I’ve heard ravings of positive feelings and adoration toward London, however my own experience was not
quite as lovely – and I’m now left with a less than warm feeling when I think back on my time in London. I
was new to traveling internationally and without knowing any better, I chose where I was going to stay
based on price, not on the location. And as you may have guessed, I stayed in a rather dodgy area of town
in a London hostel, far away from the attractions, and the more positive experiences that I could have had.
This choice hindered my ability to wander the great lengths of the city freely and effected my judgements
on the place, therefore changing the experience I had all-together. I left London thinking that it was a dump
– a sprawling mess that wasn’t even 1% English. While part of that perception may be legitimate for certain
parts of London, it’s a bad judgement, narrow-minded on the fact that I only really experienced a certain
area.
No matter how your first experience was, nor how awful or traumatic it felt, it’s important to give yourself
some time before returning again, however, the point is to ACTUALLY return – and to give the place a
second chance. Each time you visit somewhere, the experience will always be different than the time
before, but it’s important have a well-rounded view, rather than to remain with a fractured misconception
of a memory. The same can also be true when one has an amazing time, full of romanticized memories
(LINK TO ARTICLE HERE), to where the second visit is nowhere near as magical and memorable – but that’s
life. The first time you had ice cream or pizza probably was life-changing, and while each time afterwards it
was pleasurable and you enjoyed it, it will never have the same introductory surprise as the first time.
I don’t know when I will return to London again, but I know that I will give it another go – trying new things,
meeting new people and giving it the benefit of a doubt. And if you can relate, you should too.
By Brandon Scott @ Hostelsclub.com
www.hostelsclub.com