10 Ways to be a Travel Girl
BE A TRAVEL GIRL. Pick the ROADS less traveled by...and travel all of them!
BE A TRAVEL GIRL. Pick the ROADS less traveled by...and travel all of them!
"The Only Thing Constant in Life is Change." - My Father
As travelers and as women, we are highly unpredictable. We are as shocking as the Texas weather or the NYSE. The only thing consistent about us is our unpredictability.
I keep reading these "Date a girl who travels/Don't Date a girl who travels" articles, but the reality is...
You should BE a girl who travels... Be a Travel Girl!
....It gives you an interesting story to tell, with a Global Perspective...
A Travel Girl is a woman that is not afraid of the unknown, but embraces it. She seeks to explore the world and make it better while exploring herself and continue to self-improve along the way.
Oh, how I miss those days in Paris with those two lovely ladies. I have known them both since middle school and our friendship only gets better with time! Travel bonds you and although I enjoy traveling by myself, it is amazing to make new friends abroad and meet up with old friends across the globe.
(1) A Travel Girl Reads, Writes, and Thinks
She wakes up early to drink Coffee or Tea and read a few newspapers and magazines.
Her favorites? National Geographic, the Travel section of the New York Times, the Economist, and the WSJ. She has read all of Thomas Friedman's books and believes "The World if Flat" and also "Hot, Flat and Crowded."
She writes down her thoughts, probably in both an old-fashioned, worn up journal with a pen her grandmother gave her and in her iPhone notes. Make new friends, but keep the old is her motto.
She believes in a higher being...and that essentially all religions are connected as one.
World religions have always fascinated her.
She probably grew up Christian and still goes to church, especially when churches and museums combine into one in the Catholic Cathedrals in Europe and in the Middle Eastern mosques.
She sees the "highest and brightest light" in herself and in everyone else... "Namaste."
(2) A Travel Girl is a Jane of All Trades. She's a versatile Go-Getter, not a Jet-Setter.
She is definitely NOT a Hippie with a "Free Spirit" occupation.
She is definitely NOT a Hippie with a "Free Spirit" occupation.
A Travel Girl Wears Many Hats. She is flexible and versatile. We switch from being a business woman on Monday morning to a Travel Girl rushing to the airport at 4:00A.M. We are close to our families and friends. We are not running away from anything. We just love to fly away as often as possible! We can prepare our meetings and key tasks rapidly. We pack light. We scan our closet, select a few mix-and-match outfits, grab some jewelry, comfortable shoes, and the permanent travel make-up bag. We are ready to roll!
It takes me 20 minutes to get ready. I don't wear much make-up and my hair dries straight. Maybe I'm born with it? or Maybe it's Maybelline.
We prefer a first-class upgrade, or even a private jet, but will happily sit in the backseat of an Air Tran Economy flight as long as we are on the plane! I prefer the window seat. Size of the bed? View from the room? Don't care. I will be on a run by 6:00A.M. and out past midnight.
My hair is straight. I brush & wash it often and do not participate in collecting "dreadlocks." I have very fair skin, but (unfortunately) am terrible about loading up on sun screen. I "Bronze" fast and quickly, but soon my tan fades. I have freckles but they eventually do away if I use Creme de la Mer Creme. See how change is the only constant?
(3) A Travel Girl Will Always Search for More
This is NOT a bad thing! There is SO much in this world to explore. So many places to visit. So many people to meet. This is the ONE time where LESS IS NOT MORE.
BUT do MORE with LESS. Travel on a budget and use your time wisely... If you can navigate all of the major capital city in one day, spend the rest of your week exploring local attractions.
(4) A Travel Girl Knows her FAVORITE Thing About Traveling
This is almost like a travel girl's theme... My Favorite Thing About Travel Is Renting a Car, Checking Out the Local Grocery Shop or Running 13.1 in my vacation destination.
That is right. I will rent a car (Always a Convertible Mustang) & go check out Whole Foods, CarreFour or a local co-op. You learn so much about the local culture!
(5) Travel Girls Dream About the Future, Live in the Present, & Remember the Past
She looks through old photos and reminisces on old memories. She is constantly engaged in current activities around her community. She eagerly looks forward to her next trip! Her calendar is probably full of "Road trip to ..." and "Week spent on the beach in..."
A travel girl is always looking to meet new people and connect with others.
(6) A Travel Girl Eventually Starts her Own....
Business, blog, foundation, 501C3 Charity, photography studio, writes her own book, etc. She doesn't JUST work 9:00-5:00, she works 24/7 because she is always pursuing her dream and following her instincts. She doesn't want to keep working her a** off for someone else's dream. She has her own dreams. She is creative, imaginative, and innovative.
(7) A Travel Girl has a Complex Mind.
She is highly intuitive and dances to the beat of her own drum. In college she had a few college degrees or at least a minor. She never just isolates herself into one thing. She explores everything.
What was my degree in? International Business, Government and Spanish. No, those were all majors. Yes, my minors were Communications, Ethics & Leadership, and International Political and Economic Development. YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
(8) A Travel Girl is Active
Her favorite mode of transportation is walking. She's walked the streets of her city and wanders around at night or early in the morning for a stroll. She's gotten lost and enjoyed every moment of it. She loves to horseback, practices yoga, and is spontaneous enough to try any new activity.
(9) A Travel Girl has a Global Perspective and International World View
She knows respect to other cultures and consideration to other's points of views. She is not afraid to discuss sustainability, CSR, Foreign Policy, international economics or other global issues. At a younger age, she may be passionate about certain issues, but with time she comes to the realization that life is not black and white and every point of view can have sound arguments. She has become more neutral...and cannot wait to visit Switzerland.
(10) A Travel Girl is Independent and Practical.
A Travel Girl enjoys her own company and keeps herself busy. She drives long distances and even runs long-distances to let her never-ending thoughts distract her. She is comfortable in her own skin and becomes even more comfortable as time goes by. She eats in restaurants alone (Ok, she Instagrams the whole time, unless there is a cute waiter or bartender...then she will pretend she needs an alcoholic drink.)
She does not need you to buy her dinner. She could offer to pay for yours, but a traditional side of her always let's the man get the check if he attempts. (Especially if she is Southern.)
Her days are not filled with dates with men, but instead just interactions with people. She befriends everyone and never judges. She meets many like-minded people from around the world and offers to visit them...then actually shows up at the airport one day and calls them up, even if they only met once!
She packs light. Wears boots on the plane (taking off shoes in public requires socks!) We’re practical. We have our packing so well down that we usually have just what we need. But if we forget an item, we find a store. We do not sweat the small stuff.
We’re planners. We plan our travel days in order to get the most accomplished and enjoyed.
She does not need you to buy her dinner. She could offer to pay for yours, but a traditional side of her always let's the man get the check if he attempts. (Especially if she is Southern.)
Her days are not filled with dates with men, but instead just interactions with people. She befriends everyone and never judges. She meets many like-minded people from around the world and offers to visit them...then actually shows up at the airport one day and calls them up, even if they only met once!
She packs light. Wears boots on the plane (taking off shoes in public requires socks!) We’re practical. We have our packing so well down that we usually have just what we need. But if we forget an item, we find a store. We do not sweat the small stuff.
We’re planners. We plan our travel days in order to get the most accomplished and enjoyed.
*In Response to whether you should DATE a Travel Girl...
Don't date a girl because she travels or because she does not travel... date a girl because of HER. Date a PERSON because of who they are organically...
