Eat, Play, Love: A Confused Girl’s Guide to Travel

Before you say it, this is not another blog post about comparing your travel experiences to that of Elizabeth Gilbert. I think we’ve all been there, read that, got the t-shirt. I have got very mixed feelings about the book and the subsequent movie, but I don’t feel the need to share them in this blog. This is more a personal confession about why I love travel and my own non-spiritual journey into self enlightenment.

1. Eat

A personal favourite pastime, both home and abroad, I feel you can never truly experience the real essence of a destination without sampling the local cuisine. It’s often mouth-watering meals from a trip that we remember the most, perhaps because of the atmosphere of a certain eatery or perhaps because of the wonderful company and tantalising cuisine. Planning a meal, poring over the menu to make that all-important choice and then savouring the end result is part of what makes being in a foreign country so enjoyable. And I love the fact that food doesn’t have to be expensive to be delicious. I am also eternally grateful for cooking tips that I have picked up whilst abroad, that I will hopefully carry with me on my culinary journey forever.

2. Play

This one’s really important. Note the fact that it’s play and not pray, as in Gilbert’s case. I am not religious by any means and should I discover enlightenment whilst i’m travelling I would prefer it to be at the bottom of a beer bottle than after an exhausting day praying in an ashram or scrubbing the floors of a nunnery. No, playing and a sense of fun is a must in any confused girl’s life. A silly nature and a willingness to participate are also essential. All work and no play make Julia a very dull girl.

3. Love

I’m not necessarily talking about finding a soul mate here, although I’m sure that would be wonderful too. But loving yourself, loving the way you look and loving the way travel makes you feel is paramount in fulfilling your travel potential. So you have to live without makeup, or your favourite t-shirt, for a while. People who are travel-obsessed don’t even think twice about these things and anyone who judges them because of it should not be allowed the privilege of travel themselves. It’s only when we’re truly uninhibited that we can let go and let the ‘real’ us shine through. Losing your heart to a destination, as opposed to a well-oiled bartender in a beachside restaurant, will be far more fulfilling in the long run. And will give you an excuse to return there when you’re old and grey to relive all of your wonderful memories.

If there’s anything I learned from Gilbert’s foray into self discovery it was that deep down we all have the courage and the ability to travel. We just have to know where to look for it.