Real travel is not about the highlights with which you dazzle your friends once you're home. It's about the loneliness, the solitude, the evenings spent by yourself, pining to be somewhere else. Those are the moments of true value. You feel half proud of them and half ashamed and you hold them to your heart.
The essence of true travel transcends mere sightseeing or sharing picturesque moments with friends. According to Tahir Shah in "In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams," genuine travel is rooted in the profound experiences of loneliness and solitude. It's during these quiet evenings spent alone, yearning for a connection or a different place, that travelers find the real value of their journey.
These solitary moments create a complex emotional tapestry, where feelings of pride and shame coexist. The memories crafted during these times are cherished deep within, revealing that the heart of travel lies not just in the highlights, but in the introspective journeys that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
