My first trip abroad was to Egypt. I love the fact that the first time I left my country I saw something so different from what I knew. It’s quite likely that that’s when I fell in love with traveling. I was 7 and communism was ending in Romania.

Egypt was like traveling to a different planet. The smells, the food, the way people dressed, the different language, and even the rhythm of life; inside during the day, out at night. I was forever impressed and in awe. I wanted to know more. I still do.

No wonder that 30 years later, while stuck at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Beyond Dracula basically blocked, my most common day dreaming activity is traveling. I go to places I know and I imagine visiting some I don’t know. They all bring me joy and so I wondered: what about travel speaks to me so much?

I already know the answer. I knew it while in university. With colleagues from over 70 countries, I realized we’re so much more alike than we often believe. Being stuck together on a campus, it was so obvious just how much we share and how little the differences in our lives set us apart. I know this to be true and yet, everytime I travel, I am reminded of it. And so, if you were to ask me what’s the one thing that can make the world a better place, I would say it’s traveling. No doubt about it.

Here’s why.

It’s simple. When you travel driven by the genuine curiosity to discover a new part of the world, a new city, a new way of living, your mind and heart expand. If you allow travel to be a transformative experience, going to the the town next to your own can give you a new perspective on life. Every time you exercise this muscle, you cannot but grow humble. You see that what you hold to be true might in certain situations not be the case. You meet people different from you that feel just like you. You meet people who learnt something which you struggle with and their relaxation and ease encourages you and gives you strength to carry on. 

When you travel and you truly connect with other human beings , you truly understand that we are one, and that knowledge alone can have ripple effects in your life and in the lives around you. It's making the world a better place. 

It’s a strange time and if other things failed to show us how connected we are, this virus did it. We’re stuck at home, rediscovering old hobbies, learning new skills, being closer to our families and friends. Once this passes (because it will), I hope we’ll make the most of everything we used to be able to do and took for granted. I hope we slow down. And I hope we travel with a renewed sense of unity.