The Advantages of Traveling
Robert Louis Stevenson’s observation that books though good enough in their own way are a “mighty bloodless substitute for life”, has always appeared to me as correct and rich with meaning. Those who live in a narrow. confined society finds it difficult to develop an out-going personality: they, at times, are not too tolerant and it is always easy for them to fall into a dull routine. Amongst the aristocratic families of Europe of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, no young man’s (or young woman’s for that matter) education was considered to be complete without travel. Those who were not lucky enough to have adequate funds found other means of traveling. They either traveled as companions and employees of the rich people. or. if adventurous and daring. joined professions that took them abroad. People have traveled as tramps and stowaways. The whole world of commerce and the colonial system grew out of this urge for travel and adventure.
Traveling does not necessarily mean traveling abroad: it means traveling as much as one can – travel to the next town. to the seaside resort, to the small hill station, the next state, or the nearest island. It basically implies getting out of the rut, seeing other people. learning about their way of living and thinking, and thus developing a broader and more tolerant outlook towards life.
Traveling is the best kind of education. Of course, it is no substitute for the basic learning of the three Rs. But it can be a substitute for most other kinds of learning. For when we travel we get the opportunity of seeing and knowing people at first hand. One sees them as people. but meets them as individuals. Traveling even in one country is beneficial. Some parts of the country abound in the rain and in backwaters, in lush, green landscapes: others have the right kind of soil and terrain for plantations – rubber, tea, coffee, or timber. Still, others may be having factories for canning marine products. In another part of the country, there may be oil fields or coal mines, or oil extracting units. So by traveling over these areas one is able to see the different kinds of industries, soils and people.
Customs, languages and religious practices differ from place to place. One learns about them and learns to live with and accept the differences. The truth of it can be seen in multiracial societies like Singapore and Malaysia were Chinese, Malays and Indians living side by side. Traveling from one corner of India to another is like traversing a whole continent. The cultural preferences vary from place to place. These experiences increase aesthetic sensitivity.
Besides learning about the customs of other people and gaining a great deal of knowledge, travel also teaches adaptability. Those who travel a great deal and are willing to rough it out are not so fastidious about the ordinary comforts of life. They make cheerful and pleasant companions. Travel also breaks through religious fanaticism and encourages the exchange of ideas. People who have succeeded in developing an interest in birds and animals, in rocks and minerals and in plants and trees find travel a rewarding experience.
In the present-day society, individuals can perhaps survive only if they can get out of their limited circle. It is important that they know what is happening around them not only economically and intellectually but also politically.
