Why do we travel?

Is there ever a simple answer to the question why?

People travel to grow because they find a lack of growth where they're situated. People travel to work because they found a better opportunity. People travel when they're curious because the answers they've been given are insufficient. People travel for adventure because they miss the child-like want to explore the unknown. People travel to help those who cannot help themselves. People travel to speak for those whose voices have been silenced. People travel, knowing that at the end of the journey something will be gained.

Why do I travel?

I'm not going to say that the sole reason is for the community service, or to get away from home. I travel because I want to know. I want meet people who have grown there all their lives. I want to listen to memories of their grandmother's house and realize that although our grandmothers are different they offer the same comfort. I want to know what the latest trend is there and how people my age spend their time. I want to listen to the music that is not commonly found and eat food that only the locals know how to crave. More than anything I find that I feel starved of people's stories. I want to know their stories- that is the most important reason I travel.

In school social studies is my weakest subject. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to memorize all the dates, names, locations and reasons in history. History is just someone's story told in a completely non-objective way. With travel people's stories seem more real. Observing how someone lives is in my opinion a far greater tool to learning than a textbook. I travel knowing that at the end of my journey I will have gained far more than what I could have imagined. And it is with knowing that, that I travel in order to hear someone else's story.