“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport.” Thanks to ‘Love Actually,’ and my travels around the world, I feel I now truly understand this sentiment – especially after having had the opportunity to exit those doors this past Christmas- though I like Gatwick better. An airport represents so much more to me than I ever imagined it could. It symbolizes excitement, exploration, new adventures, delightful food, and a sense of hope. Now, as the year draws to a close and with the past ten months of experiences under my belt, it also represents family and friends. It represents a new home and a past one. It represents some kind of in-between.

I was untraveled. Or, at least, I used to be. Not anymore. In just nine months, I’ve experienced the UAE, Qatar, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Oman, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and England. For someone who was previously a homebody, traversing the globe and experiencing a profound culture shock, I find myself still in a state of shock. I am astounded by the opulence in some areas, and the extreme poverty just blocks away in the same city. I am taken aback by the kindness of strangers and the indifference of others. The complexity of humanity has left me stunned. I am struck by how similar we all are at our core, yet, how a culture can shape a person to possess a mindset so radically different from my own—one that introduces me to fresh and intriguing perspectives.

I’ve developed a newfound sense of pride in so many aspects of my life by journeying through numerous countries and cultures within a single year—something I never anticipated. I’m proud that I can push myself to engage in activities that initially frighten me. For instance, I never imagined that I’d jump off a yacht into the ocean or go snorkelling in open waters inhabited by whale sharks and stingrays. Normally, even swimming in lake water would scare me, a fear largely instilled by the legend of the Ogopogo from my childhood. I never thought I’d find myself drinking camel milk, walking through the haunting streets of Auschwitz, or saying “yes” to so many opportunities in a myriad of countries—driven by the knowledge that I might not get another chance.

I take pride in my deeper understanding of myself, both as an individual and as a traveler. I’ve come to realize that my needs differ significantly from many other travel enthusiasts. For example, I know I need some downtime factored into my travel schedule. Whether it’s a 20-minute power nap or a leisurely glass of wine on a patio, I need these slower-paced moments interspersed throughout my journey. I’m not a perpetually ‘on-the-go’ kind of person, nor do I ever plan to be.

I’ve also gained insight into what I truly enjoy while traveling. While some people despise visiting museums and prefer exploring city squares and admiring architecture, I find myself leaning towards the former. Another crucial aspect of my travel happiness relates to food. If I want to feel content during a trip, I need to find some great culinary experiences. I have to admit, the cuisine where I currently live isn’t my favourite (though I can’t resist a good shawarma with fries wrapped in saj bread), so when I discover delicious delicacies in another country, it truly makes my heart sing. I am absolutely the kind of person who will research a restaurant’s best dish just for the experience of trying it. My memorable culinary experiences range from the unexpectedly scrumptious pasta I had in Israel, influenced by its proximity to Italy, to walking through Germany’s Christmas markets with a warm mug of mulled wine. I was even brought back to my childhood memories of my Oma when I tasted spätzle from Hofbräuhaus. Cole and I have often found ourselves debating over revisiting the same restaurant, lured by the unforgettable experiences. In essence, bringing the activities you love from home to your travels can only enhance your love for journeying. So, do what you love, be it at home or away, and I assure you, your love for travel will deepen.

Traveling has instilled in me a sense of Canadian pride, deeper than I ever imagined. Through my journeys, I’ve come to appreciate my Canadian identity in ways I had never understood. Although I wouldn’t consider myself overly patriotic, and I resonate more with my heritage than the label “Canadian”, my travels have significantly strengthened my connection to Canada. One thing I’ve noticed is that people worldwide harbour a genuine fondness for Canadians. Canadians also exhibit a distinctive openness, a trait that sets us apart from many other cultures. This unique combination of warmth and hospitality has been both an eye-opener and a source of pride for me. I urge you to embrace your love for your home country—cherish both its similarities and differences to other places. Doing so will not only help you appreciate your roots more but also enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the places you visit. So, celebrate your origins, and I assure you, it will add richness to your journeys, wherever they may lead.

I’m even proud of, yes, my packing skills. My packing has become more efficient – I can now live out of a laptop-sized backpack for a week at a time. Don’t worry, I always pack more than enough underwear. This is a far cry from the girl who felt compelled to pack her entire world with her on every trip, trying to bring along a piece of home. I stuffed my suitcase as close as I could get it to go without going over the weight limit. I didn’t want to feel uncomfortable or, more precisely, out of my comfort zone. Being ready for any situation by having the right items at my disposal brought me some semblance of comfort. Now, however, I feel more at ease browsing the local 7/11 store or wandering around to see what I can find to suit my needs. I enjoy exploring what’s available. I do have a soft spot for finding an H&M to visit in every country though. Those shops are ubiquitous, rather like dandelions. I don’t particularly love them, but if someone presented me one, I wouldn’t turn it down. I also realize the expense for most of my travels becomes exponentially cheaper when I can use just a carry on. Checked baggage fees are a rip off, and I’m not going to succumb to them whenever avoidable. Yes, I’m one of those people now.

I’m proud to have realized that travel isn’t solely for pleasure, and it’s perfectly fine that not every day feels like a vacation when I’m abroad. People can travel for a myriad of reasons that resonate with them. It might be for leisure, fostering a deeper cultural connection, savouring delicious food (I’m convinced I’m going to start saving for Michelin-star restaurant visits around the globe), business, or escape. My appreciation for people who travel purely for pleasure has grown. I never felt the urge to travel until this year, but now, I understand the appeal. There’s an undeniable allure in the rush of experiencing a new culture as soon as you step off the plane. It’s a unique kind of euphoria when you discover something in a culture that deeply resonates with your soul. If there’s anything I’ve gleaned from becoming a more seasoned traveler, it’s that it’s all about being open and adaptable. This can be a challenging lesson, especially when you find yourself disembarking from a train at the wrong stop in a tiny German town in the midst of winter. Either way, I feel that I have some more understanding or cultural competence under my belt than I ever used to. I’m learning. I’m understanding. This is what travel is. It’s all just a part of the journey.

I’m proud that I took this leap, terrified as I was and without any previous experience in travel. I’m proud that I managed to overcome the pang of homesickness and embraced the opportunities here, accepting that this is a once-in-a-lifetime journey I’m embarking on. I realize there will be new adventures, and perhaps some less adventurous days in the future, but based on where I am now, I’m proud of how this year has transformed me and my life. If you ever decide to do this too—if you travel somewhere new, venture abroad, or even choose to live overseas like me—you might find yourself feeling proud as well. Keep pushing forward.

Maybe I can even be proud of the fact that I’m no longer just the globe traveler’s wife. I am now a globe traveler too, in my own right. I am coming to the completion of a year of travel. A year of “yes.” A year of new. A year of growth, growth, painful, happy, unimaginable, growth.

I take pride in the transition from taking a leap of faith to developing a firm belief that this journey was meant to be part of my story. I’m proud that such a sentiment kept me going, even during challenging times. To be honest, I’m grateful for those who encouraged me to persevere on the days when it felt difficult to move forward. I’m proud that I never ceased to push onward, slow as it felt at times. As I gear up for another year abroad, my new motto has become:

لا يهم كم أنت بطيئ طالما أنك لن تتوقف.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.