Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in America. A day when families large and small will gather to stuff themselves with turkey, and then loll about on the couch watching football.
But Thanksgiving isn’t just about pumpkin pie and field goals. First and foremost, the holiday is about giving thanks — as the name implies. It’s a time to set aside work and worries, and enjoy sharing a meal and some extra time with loved ones.
So, in honor of the holiday (and because I’ll probably be in a turkey coma tomorrow), today I’d like to take a little time and give thanks for the good things in my life, as they relate to my passion — travel.
Here are 7 things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving:
Family and friends who support my travels
I’m lucky to have parents who have never tried to hold me back when it comes to travel. Perhaps this is because they know how stubborn I can be when I decide I want to do something. Or perhaps it’s just because they can identify passion when they see it. Either way, they have always been interested in my travels, and have never complained about them (as long as I’ve footed the bill, of course). For that, I am thankful. I’ve even convinced my mom to travel with me to New Zealand, and my dad to take the family on an Alaskan cruise in recent years.
My friends and other relatives, too, have been extremely supportive of my travel addiction, always watching my videos and clicking on my Facebook links. Some friends I haven’t seen since high school have confessed to Facebook-stalking me to see where I’ve been lately. Well, stalk away, friends; I love sharing my travels with you.
Ease of travel for U.S. citizens
Yeah, yeah, the recent TSA backlash perhaps sullies this point a bit. But, even with the invasive new security measures, I’m thankful that I, as an American, can travel fairly easily both domestically and abroad. There are very few places where my American passport would be denied, or get me into trouble overseas. Domestically, a good highway system and a variety of airlines make things like roadtrips and weekend getaways a cinch. We’re lucky in the U.S. to have such ample opportunities to travel, both within our country and out of it.
A great travel blogging community
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times — the travel blogging community is awesome. I’m thankful to be part of such a supportive, positive group of people who share a passion for travel. Could I blog about travel without the community? Sure. But the interaction on blogs, Twitter and Facebook really puts the icing on the travel blogging cake for me. This community is not only smart and insightful, but also friendly and more than willing to lend a hand or offer up a travel tip.
The fact that I have a job to fund my travels
My job may not pay very much. But it pays enough for me to set a little aside here and there in order to feed my travel addiction. In this economy, I’m thankful to have a job, period. But I’m especially thankful that it’s a job I can stand that also affords me a little extra cash and two weeks of vacation per year, so I can plan adventures like my upcoming one to Hawaii in February.
Do I sometimes wish I made more money, or had more vacation time to take? Sure. Who doesn’t? For now, however, I am just thankful for what I have, and am determined to make it work for me.
The friends I’ve made through travel
I haven’t traveled nearly as extensively as some other bloggers out there. But I’ve still met some amazing people during my time abroad; people that I have a feeling I’ll stay in contact with for a long time. Most notable are the friends I made during my two stints in New Zealand — you all know who you are. Whether it was frolicking through Hobbiton together or celebrating my birthday at Castlepoint, I’m so thankful to have shared those experiences with you, and even more thankful to count you as close friends today.
Travel is such a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, and I can’t wait to see who I’ll befriend next.
All the places I have already been
I may not have quit my job to travel around the world (at least, not yet!), but I have been incredibly lucky in my life when it comes to travel opportunities. Part of this is because I’ve actively pursued a life full of travel. Part of it is because I’ve just gotten lucky.
I’ve studied abroad in New Zealand. I’ve played a concert on the Great Wall of China. I’ve toured Ireland with an Irish rock band. These aren’t things that the average person can say they’ve done, and for that I am immensely thankful.
The places I will eventually go
I’m only 24. I am healthy. I have years and years ahead of me in which to still travel and see the world. I know this, and I plan to take full advantage of it. I’m thankful to have figured out so early on in life that I am passionate about travel and the world beyond my front door. I can’t wait to see where the road will lead me next.
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What are some of the things YOU are thankful for this Thanksgiving, travel-related or not? Share them in the comments!
Great post. I’m thankful for a lot of things, most notably for a husband who makes me laugh whenever job gets me down and who doesn’t mind getting dragged on trips around the world, most of the time quite unaware of the destination.
Jill – Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..Secret Pocket and Touts – Linky Links
It’s great to have someone so supportive in your life, who’s willing to get dragged around the world!
Love it! All great things to be thankful for in the travel world. I, too, love that my family, though not huge travelers themselves, have supported our ventures. It makes it so much easier to follow your dreams and your passion when you have the support of your loved ones. And yes, the travel blogging community is fantastic as well. I only wish I would have found you all when we were actually traveling. I’m sure it would have enhanced our trip and given us so many more ideas of places to go and things to do.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Adam recently posted..Buenos Aires through pictures
Thanks, Adam, and happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
I know what you mean about wishing you’d found this community earlier. But, hopefully we’ll both have plenty of travel adventures in the future that we can turn to others on for advice.
I’m thankful because Ryan found a way to keep his job while we are traveling and because he is great in finding cheap deals on transportation, accommodation, and entertainment.
I’m thankful because my mom and Ryan’s brothers were able to visit us in Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Sydney.
I’m thankful for seeing old friends around the world, also for meeting up (in person!!) with bunch of awesome travel bloggers. It’s always lovely to know them in personal level.
I’m thankful to be able to travel the world, and thankful for having Ryan as my partner (can you imagine if your loved one don’t want to go backpacking like you!)
Dina recently posted..The Leaning Houses of Dunedin
These are great, Dina. It sounds like you definitely have a lot of things to be thankful for, just like me! It must be so awesome to be able to travel with Ryan. I can’t wait for the day when my boyfriend and I are able to travel together!
Thanks are really a good thing. I am thankful for a life full of answered prayers. For a newly renewed visa with fewer restrictions. A wonderful girlfriend who loves to travel as much as me. More vacation than in the US even though less money.
Andrew recently posted..Beautiful Soup
Thanks are indeed a really good thing. Sounds like you’ve got a lot to be thankful for, too!
Good list. I really am thankful for the ability to travel, the appreciation of travel and all the great experiences I have had whilst travelling.
Spencer recently posted..Natura Park Eco-Resort & Spa Punta Cana
All very good things to be thankful for, as well, Spencer.
I’m thankful to earn just enough that trips can be planned.
And I’m thankful that I enjoy the planning so much. To me, it is almost as much fun as the travel. I’m there in my mind before I’ve even set foot on the plane!
I like planning, too. Or, at least, dreaming about all the things I want to do in a place before I go. It almost never works out as planned, but that’s pretty much expected!
Hi Amanda,
Just stumbled upon your site, and I’m digging it. I am also from Ohio!! Avon Lake, west of Cleveland. Columbus is an awesome town. Better than Cleveland IMO. I am thankful for everything on this list as well (except for the job bit, but that will have to become part of the equation when I get back) and it’s nice to have a reminder. I am subscribed and I look forward to more !!! B well, Phil
Phillip Paoletta recently posted..5 Reasons Why Bambara is one of the Coolest Languages on Earth
Hey Phil! Welcome to the site! I’m currently living in Findlay, which is about an hour south of Toledo. I was just actually up in Cleveland today, though!
What a lovely post of gratitude!!! You are VERY lucky that your friends and family support your wandering!
Andi recently posted..Cuba- Day 6 Part 2
I know; I really am pretty lucky. Though, if I decided to up and quit my job to travel the world… well, support for that might take a little time to materialize. Haha.