6,000 year-old paintings in Cueva Remigia, Spain!
The Spanish gentleman pictured to the left is stroking his calloused finger against 6,000-year old paintings at Cueva Remigia, Spain. Such cave art stretches across swaths of Spain, and is considered, collectively, a UNESCO world heritage site.
In my last week in Spain before flying home, a group of us climbed a bright green, sun-drenched mountain to emerge an hour later at the ancient paintings pictured here! …and at first we couldn’t see a darn thing.
It took a good half hour of the guide explaining each barely perceptible streak of red paint for us to even begin to make out the various hunters, stabbed-to-death animals, and “bloody footprints” on that wall.
And now it’s analogy time!
When you return from a momentous experience, be it nine months abroad or one week of intense volunteering somewhere, at first you stare at the blank rock wall of your personality, thinking: “Grr… Despite those crazy past days, I see no changes at all in who I was!”
The gorgeous landscape around Cueva Remigia
But oh ho ho and a bottle of evolution juice: you HAVE changed! And just as it takes the guide’s pointing finger to finally see the arrow shooting across the rock-scape at Cueva Remigia, it will take an ongoing series of situations to highlight your changed nature after you return home.
Here are some changes I’m starting to notice after 270 days circling the earth:
1.) Extreme patience for things I have no power to change.
Long lines? Being hopelessly lost for an hour? Painful traffic? After a strong dose of West Africa, Iberia, and Asia, the mind develops an ability to go to a misty trance place where time goes “purrr” and doesn’t pain one to pass.
2.) Lack of patience for things that are not good that I do have the power to change.
Aka: not putting up with ridiculous treatment.
Let’s say, hypothetically, that you were sort of dating someone before you flew out of America. When you returned home after seeing and doing so much, do you think you would put up with foolishness, disrespect, or bad behavior? A resounding “NO,” ladies, a resounding “NO!” Hypothetically, of course.
3.) New fire to work hard and do meaningful work that makes an impact.
Sightseeing and meeting new folks is AMAZING, but it clangs hollow after several weeks straight. I’m starting to smolder with excitement to get back in that classroom for summer school teaching, and to follow that with a blossoming career of fulfilling and idealistic work!
Cueva Remigia's guide, proud to have enlightened us!
4.) Appreciation of kindness.
Constant travel is stress. It’s awesome stress, but stress nonetheless. Thus, lately, when I encounter someone who makes things easier or nicer for us all (even just by a pleasant tone of voice), a radiant sunbeam of bliss fills my soul. I feel a wave of appreciation for the power, impact, and importance of sweetness.
5.) Such a richer understanding of our world and of history.
From Vietnam War movies, to Thai restaurants, to the Ghanaian flag, to Spanish words, so much now has thick new layers of comprehension and triggered memories! Travel made everything richer, understanding-wise.
6.) Massive new adoration of home: the city, the country, the culture, and the loved ones.
Euphoric, massive appreciation of so much I took for granted before.
7.) A new calmness.
I’m not saying my wanderlust is completely out of my system (that’s as impossible as taking the crazy out of Lady Gaga), but I feel really tranquil where I am right now!
See what a beautiful mountain Cueva Remigia sits atop?
8.) A belief that the seemingly impossible can become possible with hard work, creativity, and determination.
Is it possible for fourteen Ghanaian students and four of their teachers to raise enough money to travel to London for three weeks? Yes.
Is it possible for a Thai woman to go from absolutely nothing to owning her own restaurant, all on her own? Yes.
Is it possible for a carpenter or teacher to save enough money to travel a ridiculously long time? Yes.
Do we need to put up with life situations we don’t like? No.
I love this! Your perspective about the way that travel can change you totally resonated with me. Loved the phrase “Do we need to put up with life situations we don’t like? No.” So true. Life is about making choices, not just letting those choices happen to you. Keep up the fab posts!
Thanks so much, Tiffany!
awesome post Lillie …
This is an awesome post
You speak the 100% truth!
Thanks so much! Sounds like you’ve experienced something similar?
Number 5 really is true. Once you see how others live, you’ll learn to appreciate it and you gain more respect towards their culture.
Traveling? No my type. When I hear the bright sun I get dizzy, climbing mountain makes me sleepy, unless it’s cloudy and cool. So staying home with shelter is awesome but studying about early painting is fascinating, you can learn about art and ancient civilization.
I like number 1 the best. I really would like to travel a lot when I am older It seems very fun and exciting.
Awesome post! Just today, someone asked me what I’ve learned this year while traveling in Asia and my answer was, “A lot of things, but most of them were about myself.” What good timing to come home and read this!
This is a fantastic post! It’s all so true traveling = growth & maturity. We become better for the world, when we become better for ourselves. Awesome.
Great post. Having just returned from my latest two months on the road I do relate to many of these. Also, living in Asia for ten years makes me relate!
We have been on the road for 15 years – hybrid travellers. We have now settled in New Zealand. Travelling all the time takes a lot out of a person as exciting as it is. Also there comes a time when a budget needs a break to recover. Now I prefer having a base and travelling from there. Home is wonderful to come home to. But every time I come ‘home’ I notice just how much I have changed. Sometimes it is major and sometimes just subtle things. I could so relate to your article and couldn’t stop smiling. It is amazing how just a smile becomes a life line after being on the road for a while!
Kerry-Ann: 15 years?! WOW! Congratulations! And I completely hear you about that life-saving, soul-re-filling smile that reaches you across the oceans, via the Internet. So glad we could connect, and do be in touch!
I love all these, but I really love #1 and #5. I think I have gotten better on many of these fronts also. There are so many good reasons to long travel — love this list.
Hey Lillie, thats an awesome post. I never knew travelling makes us mentally strong and stable. You have given a new limelight for travellers.
Jodi,
Huge thanks!
There are tons and tons of articles here on how to save, budget, and plan for your travels which I hope can help you achieve your dream!
I love your blog, it’s witty and insightful at the same time! Your 9 months abroad is my DREAM for life and I admire you for all you have done and seen! Keep the posts coming!!!