We Travel to Feel.

Sometimes, we travel not to see or do or accomplish everything possible; we travel to feel. To be still, to grow, and to learn in a unique setting. Aside from history, art, and society… it is everything natural we seek. We travel to feel the beauty surrounding us. This past weekend, I was still. Soaking in the beauty of Ljubljana, Slovenia and its precious Lake Bled.

In my usual blog posts, I write about everything I did and what I saw. However, if I sat here and explained word for word what I did, it would sound very mundane and rather boring to you. I read a book by a lake, took a picture by a dragon statue, ate a piece of cake, and held a Chihuahua. Honestly, those were the most exciting parts. And I loved every minute of it. However, I will attempt to give you a summary of how I felt this past weekend.

The sun kissed my cheeks as I pried off my sunglasses. The crisp water splashed every so slightly against the bank of the lake. “1… 2… 3...,” was yelled as crew teams sailed over the still water. White snow sat on the mountain peaks which towered in the distant background. Runners, bikers, and roller-bladers passed me.

All the while, I was still. Simply observing - watching humans interact and react to the natural beauty around us all.

After a bustling week of travel from spring break, being still was exactly what I needed. To relax, refresh, and remind myself the importance of simplistic actions. I’ve witnessed many buildings, cities, and people throughout my time in Europe. However, there is something much more powerful in the essence of feeling. Slovenia made me feel alive, appreciative, and peaceful.

I’ve been trying to formulate the words to describe some magical moments I’ve experienced while traveling. Ultimately, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is seemingly impossible to accurately portray certain momentary feelings in the form of words. But maybe that’s the purpose of traveling. To feel, in your own unique manner – unable to recreate it without being present and still.