When the journey is not just going; How to find meaning in the path?

Today you can only go to the farthest point of the earth with just a few clicks; But the important question is, “Why should we travel?” In a world where foods, hotels and experiences from London to Bali are similar, travel instead of adventure has become a continuous duplicate. No longer missing out on an unfamiliar alley or random exposure to alien culture; Technology, map, and automatic translation have removed any obstacle and made the travel predictable and safe; But the easier it is to travel, the farther away.

Photographer: Unknown / Student Adventure

Lauren Ho is a Singapore writer and journalist who has written and design for more than a decade. He spent much of his life on a journey and has lived in various places from Europe to the Middle East. His personal experiences of staying in different cities and talking to indigenous people have changed his view of the journey from “seeing” to “understanding”.

Ho often deals with the concept of “conscious journey”; A journey aimed at human and cultural communication; Not just consuming experiences. He believes that travel can be a kind of rethinking in a way of living; Of course, if we learn to travel with presence, respect and curiosity; Not with a list of places to see.

Photographer: Unknown / 203challenges

Ho believes that the real essence of travel lies in “resonance”; Not in access. The resonance is the same feeling that stops us, teaches and stays in mind. This feeling may start from a short conversation with a stranger in Uzbekistan; From a honest smile in Saudi Arabia or the regular and respectful behavior of Japanese high -speed trains. The meaning is formed in contradictions and differences; In details that guides do not say and can only be seen with presence, patience and attention.

Photographer: Unknown / Traveler

Lauren Ho recalls that travel was once a kind of human and inner experience; In contrast, today’s tourism, with a beautiful but empty look, has made the world a duplicate of a pattern. From Mexico City to Lisbon, cafes and hotels are similar to each other, and the sense of unity of the place has disappeared. Worse, the worse tourism has worn the identity of the cities; Venice and Barcelona are no longer the home of the people; Rather, they are the stage.

Ho says a meaningful journey means to learn it instead of “consuming” the place; Means to realize that cities are not merely destination; Rather, they are the habitat of real human beings. When we understand how regional people work and what is worth it, our look and behavior change.

Photographer: Unknown / Tourism Cares

Finally, a meaningful journey means accepting ignorance and enjoying confusion. Such a journey makes the mind more sharp, open the heart, and makes the human look more human; An experience that continues inside us after returning. Tell you from your point of view.