02 july awakening 2017

Illustration: Clym Evenden

Validation in Gstaad Travelling is my favorite hobby. Since, I was a little girl, planning for travel was my favourite exercise in imagination. The world itself was my wonderland and I was Alice. It energized me; travel gave me a magic wand where I could see all the stories I had read come to life.

When I grew up, I started seeing travelling in another dimension. Now it’s a beautiful symbolical process of connecting to myself.

As Danny Kaye said: “To travel is to take a journey into yourself.”

For me the first greatest joy of traveling is simply the luxury of leaving all my certainties at home, and of seeing everything I thought I knew in a different light, broadening my horizons as I learn the new lessons that life is ready to teach me. The knowledge I gain through travel is unlike anything else, because it is gained through seeing the world through a unique perspective. It is a chance to challenge the ideas that are ingrained so deeply within.

In his eye-opening essay “The Philosophy of Travel”, George Santayana wrote: ‘We need sometimes to escape into open solitudes, into aimlessness, into the moral holiday of running some pure hazard, in order to sharpen the edge of life, to taste hardship, and to be

compelled to work desperately for a moment at no matter what.’

Travel in that sense guides us towards a better balance of wisdom and compassion — of seeing the world clearly, while feeling it truly. For seeing without feeling can make us indifferent, and feeling without seeing can make us blind.

Though I have travelled across all of Europe, America and parts of Asia and Africa, my most fulfilling and validating experience was that in Gstaad, Switzerland. It was in this beautiful place that I compiled my yearly goals, sitting in small wooden office as I watched skiers fly down the snow-capped mountains around me.

During this trip I was able to go paragliding over the mountains and valleys glistening with dazzling white snow. The air was so pure and the view so stunning that it was impossible not to recognize how love and beauty shape this world. This experience brought light to the inner peace that travel can bring us. There is no better way to remember the limitless boundaries of the Almighty than by taking time to appreciate all that he has created all over the world.

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CONTENTS 1 WORK

2 SELF

3 HEALTH

4 INSPIRE

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Business Class From opening your perspective to teaching communication skills, why travel can be a great thing for your business.

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Open your mind Here we look at how travel opens the mind and the heart.

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Sunsets around the world From the ancient ruins of Rome to the rolling hills of Southern France, there are many magical places to watch the sun set. Here, I list my favourites.

Food for thought When it comes to jet lag, what you eat is as important as when you eat.

A two million year journey begins How did we get here and where are we going next?

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The scientifically proven health benefits of travelling abroad From stress relief to lowering depression, travel offers a wealth of health benefits for both body and mind.

Up, up and away An astronaut tells us what life is like when you leave the Earth

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The tweleve months A story from Greece

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Stay on track Keep up your fitness regime wherever you are with these easy steps.

The 10 best modern pilgrammages Will it be Mount Kailash in Tibet or the mountains of India...?

Embrace your spiritual side with a pilgrmmage

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The role of family vacation in child development Dr Asma explains why travel is important for little minds

Work

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

– Helen Keller

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Business Class Six reasons why getting away from the office actually helps your business

by Kc Agu

Many of us think of travel as a frivolous activity, and while sometimes it can be just that, it is so much more. There are a ton of tangible benefits to traveling – especially if you typically lock yourself up and dedicate every moment to the operation of your business. Here are a few reasons why stepping outside the office can be a good thing for your health and your business.

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WORK

1 TRAVELING IS HEALTHY — Stress, when left unattended, can lead to depression and heart problems.

Travel helps you to release stress.

This is because it takes you out of the office and the broader environment that compels you to work all the time, while affording you some much-needed downtime, thus improving both your mental and psychological wellbeing.

3 TRAVELING WITH OTHERS CAN MAKE YOU APPRECIATE OTHERS’ EXPERIENCES — Some of us prefer to do things solo; however, traveling in a group is one way to make sure that you gain more experiences than you would have alone. It also allows you to get some much-needed family time. When you do everything together as a group, the others serve as extra pairs of eyes.

They will often see and hear and do stuff that you did not do and your interactions with them will provide more insight than your singular experience ever could. Going with a group also means you will sometimes have to rely on their strengths and give up on your own desires for the betterment of the group. This will help you bond as a team or family and further drive home the point that selflessness can only be a positive thing.

2 TRAVELING IS INSPIRING

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Inspiration often requires a broad intake of influences – something that’s just not possible when you are not laser-focused on work. When you leave the work environment and travel, the stimulation your new environment provides can often help you gain fresh insight on the world around you. Events you attend or people you meet might inspire you to you see the world from a new angle.

I have travelled enough to realise that every flash of inspiration, if channelled properly, can benefit your business in some way.

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TRAVELING TEACHES COMMUNICATION SKILLS

TRAVELING CAN HELP CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

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It isn’t about what you say, it’s about how you say it. We all know the addage, but it’s true – tone of voice, body language, the faces you make and the way you speak all contribute to what people understand from you. All these are especially important when you find yourself in foreign territory where you have to contend with language constraints and differences in culture. Such a situation will force you to find creative ways to get around them. As an entrepreneur, learning the art of effective communication abroad can help improve your overall rapport with your employees (especially if they are from different cultures), investors and customers.

Making new friends and business partnerships in new places can mean more than just insight. It could also mean that you will not have to check into a hotel when next you visit the area.

You could also leverage business connections you make in this way when you want to expand your business. Your connection on the ground can use his local knowledge to help you do all the necessary research and legwork and help you settle into a new territory.

6 YOU CAN CARVE OUT MORE TIME TO THINK

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As an entrepreneur, you are often forced to make spur-of-the-moment business decisions, follow up potential investors and constantly hustle. When was the last time you had time to sit and think?

Traveling affords you the time to reflect and meditate. Find something to do to take your mind off work, whether you are just sitting on the top of a mountain, fishing by a lake or basking in the sunshine. These kinds of scenarios can trigger your mind to come up with new ideas to help your business and personal life.

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Self

“No one realises how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”

– Lin Yutang

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SELF

Open your mind How international experiences can open the mind to new ways of thinking

by Brent Crane

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There are plenty of things to be gained from going abroad: new friends, new experiences, new stories.

But living in another country may come with a less noticeable benefit, too: Some scientists say it can also make you more creative.

Writers and thinkers have long felt the creative benefits of international travel. Ernest Hemingway, for example, drew inspiration for much of his work from his time in Spain and France. Aldous Huxley, the author of Brave New World, moved from the U.K. to the U.S. in his 40s to branch out into screenwriting.

Mark Twain, who sailed around the coast of the Mediterranean in 1869, wrote in his travelogue Innocents Abroad that travel is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

In recent years, psychologists and neuroscientists have begun examining more closely what many people have already learned anecdotally: that spending time abroad may have the potential to affect mental change. In general, creativity is related to neuroplasticity, or how the brain is wired. Neural pathways are influenced by environment and habit, meaning they’re also sensitive to change: New sounds, smells, language, tastes, sensations, and sights spark different synapses in the brain and may have the potential to revitalize the mind.

New sounds, smells, language, tastes, sensations, and sights spark different synapses in the brain.

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” says Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School and the author of numerous studies on the connection between creativity and international travel.

Cognitive flexibility is the mind’s ability to jump between different ideas, a key component of creativity. But it’s not just about being abroad, Galinsky says: “The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion, and adaptation. Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who

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travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.” In other words, going to Cancun for a week on spring break probably won’t make a person any more creative. But going to Cancun and living with local fishermen might.

In Galinsky’s latest study, published last month in the Academy of Management Journal, he and three other researchers examined the experiences of the creative directors of 270 high-end fashion houses. Combing through 11 years’ worth of fashion lines, Galinsky and his team searched for links between the creative directors’ experience working abroad and the fashion houses’ “creative innovations,” or the degree “to which final, implemented products or services are novel and useful from the standpoint of external audiences.” The level of creativity of a given product was rated by a pool of trade journalists and independent buyers. Sure enough, the researchers found a clear correlation between time spent abroad and creative output: The brands whose creative directors had lived and worked in other countries produced more consistently creative fashion lines than those whose directors had not.

Going to Cancun for spring break probably won’t make a person any more creative, but going to Cancun and living with local fishermen might.

The researchers also found that the more countries the executives had lived in, the more creative the lines tended to be—but only up to a point. Those who had lived and worked in more than three countries, the study found, still tended to show higher levels of creativity that those who hadn’t worked abroad at all, but less creativity that their peers who had worked in a smaller number of foreign countries. The authors hypothesized that those who had lived in too many countries hadn’t been able to properly immerse themselves culturally; they were bouncing around too much. “It gets back to this idea of a deeper level of learning that’s necessary for these effects to occur,” Galinsky says.

Cultural distance, or how different a foreign culture is from one’s own, may also play a role:

SELF found that living someplace with a larger cultural distance was often associated with lower creativity than living in a more familiar culture.

The reason for that, they hypothesized, was that an especially different culture might come with a bigger intimidation factor, which may discourage people from immersing themselves in it—and no immersion, they explained, could mean none of the cognitive changes associated with living in another country.

Traveling may have other brain benefits, too.

Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, an associate professor of education and psychology at the University of Southern California, says that cross-cultural experiences have the potential to strengthen a person’s sense of self. “What a lot of psychological research has shown now is that the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds than yourself, and the ability to get out of your own social comfort zone, is helping you to build a strong and acculturated sense of your own self,” she says.

“Our ability to differentiate our own beliefs and values … is tied up in the richness of the cultural experiences that we have had.”

Cross-cultural experiences have the potential to pull people out of their cultural bubbles, and in doing so, can increase their sense of connection with people from backgrounds different than their own. “We found that when people had experiences traveling to other countries it

increased what’s called generalized trust, or their general faith in humanity,” Galinsky says.

“When we engage in other cultures, we start to have experience with different people and recognize that most people treat you in similar ways. That produces an increase in trust.”

“Traveling increased what’s called generalized trust, or general faith in humanity.”

This trust may play an important role in enhancing creative function. In a 2012 study out of Tel Aviv University, researchers found that people who “believe that racial groups have fixed underlying essences”—beliefs the authors termed “essentialist views”— performed significantly worse in creative tests than those who saw cultural and racial divisions as arbitrary and malleable. “This categorical mindset induces a habitual closedmindedness that transcends the social domain and hampers creativity,” the study authors wrote. In other words, those who put people in boxes had trouble thinking outside the box.

Of course, although a new country is an easy way to leave a “social comfort zone,” the cultural engagement associated with cognitive change doesn’t have to happen abroad. If a plane ticket isn’t an option, maybe try taking the subway to a new neighbourhood. Sometimes, the research suggests, all that’s needed for a creative boost is a fresh cultural scene.

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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.�

Mark Twain

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SELF

Sunsets around world From the ancient ruins of Rome to the rolling hills of Southern France, there are many magical places to watch the sun set.

THE PALM, DUBAI

Sunset is the perfect time to marvel at the beauty of Palm Island and the spectacular Dubai Skyline behind it

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THE NETHERLANDS

With it’s pretty windmills and lakes, the Netherlands is always a treat for the eyes, never more so when the light begins to dim

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SELF

MONTREUX

Nestled among Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps, this is Switzerland at it’s best.

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ROME

Elegant and proud, with beautiful ancient architecture that lights up the night sky

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MONT BLANC

The contrast of the hot orange sun against the pure white moutains is a thing of beauty 22

SELF

SOUTH OF FRANCE

The rolling hills of golds and greens come alive at sunset

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VENICE

You have not truly seen Venice until you have seen the sun slowly fade in the dappling water that runs through this great city

STONEHENGE

The world’s most famous prehistoric monument, built about 5,000 years ago.

Seeing the sun set over it honours the endevour of the human spirit.

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NEW YORK

The famous skyline looks it’s absolute best when the sun begins to set over it

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THE SEYCHELLES

Sitting on the beach with the waves crashing against the sand while the sun slowly sets is a slice of heaven on earth.

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Al Asma Al Hosana The one who has knowledge of everything has power over everything His mercy encompasses everything.

He is dominant over everything

Al-Muhit The Emcompassing

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SELF

The 10 best pilgrimages for modern travellers Searching for spirituality or moral sanctuary? We unearth 10 of the best pilgrimages to cleanse the modern soul.

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In a world of gadgets and instant gratification, a pilgrimage seems like an archaic concept. Something lifted from the pages of a medieval text, perhaps. But as increasing numbers of us seek refuge from the demands of modern life and its electronic distractions, venturing into the wilderness in search of spirituality has never seemed more appealing. So we’ve picked 10 pilgrimage routes from around the world worthy of the long walk. Some are rooted in some of the world’s major religions, while others are simply about taking on a challenge and enjoying an authentic cultural experience.

Mount Kailash, Tibet Every year thousands of people from numerous faiths make the pilgrimage to the remote Mount Kailash (pictured left), believing that circumnavigating the mountain on foot will bring good fortune. Some claim the 52km trek must be made in a single day, while diehard believers crawl the entire route – a feat that takes roughly four weeks. Officially, walking around the holy mountain has to be done on foot, pony or yak, which takes most travellers three days. Nobody has ever reached the summit of the holy Mountain, and while the path circling Kailash is widely used, it is strictly forbidden to attempt the climb.

Where? Tibet When should I go? May

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The Way of St James, France The Way of St James (or Camino de Santiago) is arguably one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Europe, with over 200,000 people undertaking the journey to Santiago de Compostela, the resting place of St James, every year. The most popular route is the socalled ‘French Way’. Beginning in the southern French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port, pilgrims cross the Pyrenees through Lower Navarre, and proceed through northern Spain to the iconic cathedral. The long stretch weaves its way between picturesque towns and vast cornfields.Accommodation takes the form of basic, family-run hostels dotted along the route. The journey takes around three weeks in total.

Where? Southern France & northern Spain When should I go? June/July

Char Dham, India Char Dham is the ultimate pilgrimage for those looking to embark on a journey of cultural discovery. The Char Dahm, widely revered by Hindus, is a pilgrimage route that leads people to the four sacred sites of India; Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the south, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east. It is considered highly sacred to visit Char Dham (all four sites) in a Hindu’s lifetime. The journey of 6,276km is a test both physically and mentally, and unlike many of the pilgrimages on the list, it requires travel by foot, motor vehicle and train. Many travellers struggle when selecting a route around this geographic goliath of a nation, but the perfectly square Char Dham itinerary provides a comprehensive, all-encompassing route, which will see you leave the crowds of Goa, Delhi and Mumbai in your wake.

Where? India When should I go? Year-round

SELF Glastonbury Tor to Stonehenge, UK Pagan traditions envelop these two mystical sites in the heart of the English countryside.

A journey to the summit of Glastonbury Tor (pictured right), a hill on which stands the roofless Grade I-listed St Michaels Tower, is said to lead the pilgrim on a journey of rebirth, returning from the journey as a new person. While this transformation may not be a guarantee, the unimpaired view of the Somerset countryside has many pilgrims flocking to the summit each summer. Within hiking distance from The Tor lies the remarkable Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that’s thought to have been constructed as early as 2600 BC. The stone circle has long been the site of ceremonies for neopagans and druids. Time your journey right and you could join the 10,000-strong crowds who gather each June to celebrate the summer solstice.

Where? Glastonbury, England When should I go? June

Madonna del Ghisallo, Italy

Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka

A pilgrimage for those who prefer pedal power to power walking, the 17th-century Madonna del Ghisallo chapel in Lombardy is the mecca of the cycling world. Dedicated to Del Ghisallo, the patroness of cyclists, every inch of the chapel’s interior walls proudly display glass-framed jerseys from some of the best riders in the world. Along with an incredible collection ofmemorabilia, the chapel also burns an eternal flame for cyclists who have lost their lives competing in the sport. The ride to the site from the nearby tourist town of Bellagio is suitably challenging, being around 10.6km in length and climbing 552 meters.

Where? Lombardy, Italy When should I go? May-September

Cast into a rock atop this verdant peak is said to be the sacred footprint of Buddha.

Competing claims are made by other faiths; Muslims say the impression is the first footstep of Adam (of Eve fame), Hindus believe it was made by Shiva. Whoever it belongs to, this stunning summit in central Sri Lanka attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Most climb in the cool of night, taking breaks from the steep ascent at one of the many tea shops en route.

Time it right and visitors can watch a stunning sunrise over Sri Lanka before checking out the mystery footprint.

Where? Sri Lanka When should I go? January-May

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Sanctuary of Atotonilco, Mexico

Kumano Kodō, Japan

Known colloquially as the Sistine Chapel of Mexico, this church and popular pilgrimage site is an intense mix of beauty and brutality.

The chapel’s spectacular ceiling, which took artist Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre over 30 years to complete, depicts – in rather gruesome detail – images of Jesus Christ being beaten and tortured, and has consequently led to the chapel becoming a pilgrimage site for those who engage in religious penance.

For 33 weeks of the year, people make the long journey to engage in spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, which include mortification of the flesh through flagellation and fasting.

Over 5,000 people visit the chapel each week.

Where? Guanajuato, Mexico When should I go? August-November

The Kumano Kodō(pictured below) is the name given to a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that criss-cross their way through the mountainous Japanese peninsula of Kii Hantó to the revered Kumano Sanzan temple complex, the birthplace of the Kumano cult. The route through the mountains is breathtaking, both due to the rugged mountain landscape and the tiny traditional wooden villages that line the walkway. The most popular of the pilgrimage routes is from Tajijirioji, the gateway to the sacred area of Kumano, with an optional overnight stay in a traditional minshuku (budget version of a ryokan) at the tiny village of Chikatsuyu-oji. After completing the long trek to the sacred site, travellers can relax in the only UNESCO World Heritage hot spring open to the public in Yunomine – for the reasonable price of ¥750 (£5.50), the bath is yours for 30 minutes.

Where? Japan When should I go? September-November

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Mecca, Saudi Arabia Regarded as the holiest place in Islam, it is a religious duty for all able-bodied Muslims to attempt the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) (pictured right) at least once in their lifetime.

The holy mission culminates in a visit to the Masjid al-Haram mosque, the largest mosque in the world, or more specifically the Kaaba, a cuboid building in the centre of the mosque, which all Muslims must face when performing salat (prayers). It is strictly prohibited for non-Muslims to enter the holy city of Mecca.

However, Medina, the second holiest city in Islam and burial place of the prophet Muhammad, does allow non-Muslims to enter, though certain areas remain restricted.

Where? Mecca, Saudi Arabia When should I visit? September/October/ November The Lagoons of Huaringas, Peru The 14 ponds and lakes of the Huaringas in Peru are a popular pilgrimage for those searching spiritual healing from the sacred Shaman or Witch Doctors that reside in the area. These ‘teachers’ perform ceremonies to those who are facing ills, often using Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic drink, which it’s claimed cures everything from depression to the common cold. Pilgrims who have made the journey to visit the Shaman are inducted into special ceremonies. First, the weary traveller visits the lakes to bathe in icy waters which are said to absorb diseases and restore positive energy. This is followed by a more intimate ceremony that takes place at midnight in the home of the ‘teacher’. In a half conscious state the Shaman uses his invisible power of healing to cure all participants of their woes.

Booking through tour operators is advised.

Where? Huaringas, Peru When should I go? June-October

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Health

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.”

– Tim Cahill

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HEALTH

Food for thought When it comes to travel, it’s not just about what you eat, but when. Here we look at how food can cure jet lag.

By Amy Farley

Even more than transaction fees and dataroaming charges, jet lag is the bane of international travellers. Resetting your internal clock to a new time zone can be a days-long process. Fortunately, there are ways to ease yourself onto a new schedule—and what you eat and drink can play a key role.

First and foremost, say nutritionists and dietitians, is the matter of hydration. “When you’re dehydrated, you are irritable, tired, and weak,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, a New York– based registered dietitian and author of Read It Before You Eat It. To avoid compounding the effects of crossing time zones, drink plenty of water, 100 per cent fruit juice, or herbal tea while you’re in transit— and even before you depart. Taub-Dix advises

travellers to plan ahead, avoiding salty food (in favor of water-rich fruits and vegetables) and drinking water well in advance of a flight.

Caffeine and alcohol (sadly) are also inadvisable while flying. Both are dehydrating and can disrupt sleep—even alcohol, which acts as a stimulant a few hours after you consume it.

Studies show that although it may initially help put you to sleep, the quality of your rest will be poor. The same is true for heavy, high-fat meals, Taub-Dix says. They’re difficult to digest and may lead to a restless night.

Once you’ve arrived, it’s equally important to be mindful of your meals, especially if you find yourself dragging, according to Angela Lemond, a Dallas-based registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition

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HEALTH and Dietetics. “Sleep deprivation messes up your feelings of hunger and satiety. So you’re more at risk to compensate by overeating,” she says.

This will only exacerbate the problem, however.

To keep your energy levels steady, opt for lighter meals with a good balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and plant-based foods. And make sure to have protein-rich snacks on hand, especially if you’re traveling to areas where such foods are hard to find: nuts, peanut or almond butter with whole-grain bread or crackers, cheese, yogurt, or easy-to-pack protein bars.

But in many ways, overcoming jet lag is as

much about when you eat as what you consume.

Studies suggest that the body’s natural circadian rhythm is tuned to light and, crucially, food.

There’s even some evidence that our food-based circadian clock can actually override the more widely recognised light-based one. A recent experiment involving mice at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center revealed, in rodents at least, the presence of a food-related clock that can be manipulated with fasts. In this study, a 16-hour fast was enough to throw off the animals’ light-based cycles and turn them into night owls.

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For those of us unwilling to go to such extremes, there’s the Argonne Anti-Jet-Lag Diet, developed in the late 1970’s by biologist Charles Ehret, who worked at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. Ehret prescribed a four-day cycle of feasting and fasting to help break the body’s circadian rhythm before landing in anew time zone. His ideas caught on and, by the 80’s, the diet’s adherents included members of the military, athletes, professional musicians, and even Ronald Reagan. Ehret later collaborated with Bill Ashton to create Stop Jet Lag, a service that provides customized plans for travelers that regulate light, sleep, and meals. Most of these plans begin with a modified, less draconian version of Ehret’s feast-fast cycle, counseling large- and light-meal days instead.

Stop Jet Lag’s plans vary according to traveler and itinerary, but Ashton says there are a few general rules when it comes to meals. The most important is to think about your diet at least 12 hours in advance of what will be your first morning in the new time zone (which could be on the plane). Plan to have a light meal around that time and then let your blood-sugar levels steadily drop, more or less mimicking what happens during sleep.

On an overnight flight from New York to Heathrow, for example, this would mean skipping the in-flight dinner that’s served at about midnight, London time. Better to focus on rest. Follow up with a protein-heavy “breakfast” according to your new time zone, which will signal your body that you’re now on a different schedule. This may mean breakfasting while the rest of the plane is sleeping. Ashton advises packing your own food, or asking the flight attendant to set aside a meal for you, even if it’s not what you’d traditionally associate with breakfast.

Though there haven’t been enough studies to say definitively if this plan works, the basic principles resonate. “Mealtime is a natural synchroniser,” Lemond says. “The more you can mimic where you’re going before you leave, the better off you’ll be.”

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HEALTH

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Scientifically proven health benefits of travelling abroad Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been When was the last time you travelled abroad? Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well.

Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have explored and verified scientifically.

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TRAVEL MAKES YOU HEALTHIER According to a joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, traveling actually keeps you healthier. The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so. The same is true for men. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 per cent higher risk of death and 30 per cent greater risk of heart disease.

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TRAVEL RELIEVES STRESS Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.According to one study, three days after taking a vacation, travellers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. Interestingly, these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended.

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TRAVEL ENHANCES YOUR CREATIVITY “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” explains Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.Travel alone isn’t enough, however. Galinsky has found that international travellers have to be purposeful about engaging. “The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion and adaptation,” he continues.

“Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”

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TRAVEL BOOSTS HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION Most people tend to be happier when they’re travelling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. However, one of the more interesting takeaways from a Cornell University is that people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip. Three days after taking a vacation, travellers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood.

The study found that the anticipation of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does.

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TRAVEL LOWERS THE RISK OF DEPRESSION While people tend to avoid the subject in our society, depression is unfortunately a major problem. Millions of people struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to overprescribe medication for depression. Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. According to research, travel may be one of them. A study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years.

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HEALTH

WHERE WILL YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU THIS YEAR? So there are clear, scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling the world.

Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.But where will you go? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. Here are a few that should be on your radar:

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London, England London is a must-visit city. If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination. Not only is there a lot to do in London, but it’s cheap and easy to get to from most major cities. There’s also no language barrier, which is a bonus for people who get nervous about that.

Cape Town, South Africa The beauty of Cape Town is astonishing. Not only is the landscape unique, but there’s wildlife galore, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino).

There’s much to see; whether you prefer a fast pace or slow and easy, there’s an itinerary for you.

Auckland, New Zealand Whether you want to kayak to a volcano, abseil down a waterfall, swim with sharks, or tackle challenging trails on a mountain bike, Auckland has everything an adventure lover could ask for. Oh, and it’s also a city that teems with good food and entertainment.

Lucerne, Switzerland If you’ve never been to Switzerland, Lucerne is a fantastic first city to experience. Conveniently near to the Zurich airport, the town is compact, yet lively. Not only are there lots of attractions in the city, but you can enjoy an array of hiking trails just outside of town.

For many, the notion of international travel isn’t as mysterious and thrilling as it used to be. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face. If you want to enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits of travel abroad, you should start planning a trip. Whether you go to London, Cape Town, Lucerne, Auckland, or somewhere entirely different, boarding a plane and flying to a foreign destination where you’re equal parts excited and intimidated is great for your growth and development.

Where will you go?

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HEALTH

Stay on track

Don’t let travel ruin your fitness schedule

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It is easy to let a vacation or business trip destroy your fitness schedule and eating habits, but with a little research and proper planning, you can come home feeling more healthy and energised than when you left.

NATURE’S PLAYGROUND There is no excuse for not finding places to exercise when every city has a great staircase, stadium or tall buildings where you can master the stairs without a machine. If stairs aren’t your thing, cities have lots of places good for walking, running or even hiking. Ask the hotel concierge if there are parks or trails nearby; or if you have ventured to the mountains, ask for a map of local hiking trails.

It is also a good idea to ask the concierge for a map of the city to find out how many of your destinations are reachable by foot (walking will increase your fitness and decrease your taxi fares.)

Prior to departure on your trip, find out if your hotel has a workout facility and a pool, and remember to pack your bathing suit and workout clothes. If they don’t have a facility, they may be affiliated with a local gym where you can get a one-day pass for a small fee.

There are no limits to the exercise you can do while exploring new territory. Make the most of your trip, and get to know the city by foot.

PREPARE FOR POWER, NO EXCUSES If your hotel doesn’t offer fitness, bring along a jump rope and an exercise tube. They are both lightweight and easy to transport. Jumping rope is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise, and you can do it anywhere.

With the exercise tube and a prearranged plan to keep you motivated, you can keep your entire body toned and energized without entering a gym or stepping on a piece of exercise equipment. Numerous websites offer workout instructions for each body part.

And, of course, body-weight exercises such as push-ups and crunches require no equipment at all. The point is to find a workout routine that suits your needs and follow it. Plan a specific time each day or

every other day to do your strengthening and cardiovascular routines (a good plan is to alternate days between the two).

Remember that the 20 to 60 minutes you spend working out each day is for you, and try to stay on schedule.

HAVE FUN Be sure to enjoy yourself and make the most of the area to which you have travelled.

Remember to bring comfortable shoes so that you can easily get a workout while using your feet as your main mode of transportation.

Whether your trip is for business or vacation, remember that you should have some time for yourself every day. Why not dedicate that time to improving your health and making yourself feel better?

NUTRITION ROAD TIPS Always drink plenty of water, particularly if you’re flying.

Conjure up a healthy meal in your mind prior to entering a restaurant, and stick to your plan as closely as possible.

Try to eat at least three times per day to keep you from feeling famished and overindulging at any one time.

Pick up portable, healthy snacks at a local market so you won’t be caught hungry in front of the mini-bar.

Go ahead and splurge on regional dishes or local cuisine, but balance your diet by choosing lower-calorie foods at other meals.

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“All travel has it’s

advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.”

– Samuel Johnson

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A two million year journey begins

Our story, the history of travel, begins here, with our early ancestors, specifically the type of human known to science as Homo erectus, which lived from about two million years ago up until about 150,000 years ago. Homo erectus was remarkably unique and sophisticated in a number of ways: this was the first type of human to control fire and one of the first to use stone tools. And although we now know the species originated in East Africa, the first fossil discovered was in 1891 in Java, an Indonesian island some 5,000 miles away as the crow flies.

Of course, Homo erectus wasn’t a crow and it couldn’t fly, and although there is some evidence to suggest the species created basic rafts, it certainly didn’t invent anything which could cross thousands of miles of Indian Ocean. The only plausible answer, which has been confirmed by other fossil finds in the last century, is that Homo erectus saw fit to gradually leave Africa and colonise other parts of the world, notably the landmasses of Europe and Asia.

The first of the great human migrations had

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begun, and so too the history of travel. It’s a peculiar thought that the human race once comprised several different species: our dazzling egos rarely permit us to imagine any other life form being remotely similar in terms of intelligence – even our own family, so to speak. But the fact is there were many, and all are now extinct apart from one: Homo sapiens, from which every human alive today is a direct descendant.

Like other human species, Homo sapiens – that’s us – originated in Africa, with the earliest fossils dating to approximately 200,000 years ago. And like Homo erectus, we migrated out of Africa and began colonising other parts of the world, with the first intrepid explorers flying the nest about 70,000 years ago.

Unlike Homo erectus, we travelled much further, most notably to Australia and the Americas, which meant that by about 10,000 years ago every major inhabitable landmass on Earth supported human life.

Our willingness to travel and explore had allowed us to populate the planet.

THE WHEEL - ROLLING INTO A NEW ERA OF TRAVEL The use of logs as rollers dates back deeper than we’ll ever know, but the modern wheel – that is, built with spokes, attached to an axle and used specifically for transport – seems to have emerged around 5,000 years ago. To thank for this we have the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation, who inhabited parts of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, and formed one of the three earliest civilisations; the other two were Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Like any good idea, this one quickly spread, though without decent roads to travel on, the world’s oceans and rivers would continue to provide the best surface for long distance journeys.

RISE OF CIVILIZATION - SETTLING DOWN IN THE AGE OF INNOVATION Ironically, the next phase in the history of travel was sparked by people remaining in one place, abandoning the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle which had served its purpose so well for hundreds of thousands of years.

The reason for this was the invention of agriculture, otherwise known as the Neolithic Revolution, arguably the most important development in human history to date. It would go on to evolve independently in locations around the world, but the first example we know of was about 10,000 years ago in an area called the Fertile Crescent, which on today’s maps encompasses parts of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

The domestication of plants and animals removed the need for people to roam endless landscapes in search of food and water.

Small groups of nomadic hunters, free from competition, were able to join together into single, settled societies, which were the seeds of civilisation as we know it.

Suddenly there was a surplus of food, people and, ultimately, time. Humans were no longer just surviving; they were living.

The implications of this were vast, but one particular way which affects our story is the innovation of new technologies which enabled us to better move around.

THE SAILBOAT - EMBRACING THE WINDS OF CHANGE No one knows precisely when the first boats were invented, but the sailboat – a significant improvement on, say, a dugout canoe – probably came into use around the same time as the modern wheel.

The Mesopotamians are credited with its invention, and in any case certainly benefited from it, using it to develop a flourishing trade with neighbouring territories and cementing their place in history as one of the world’s most successful civilizations.

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MAPPING THE ANCIENT WORLD THE MANIFESTATION OF KNOWLEDGE Although exploration in the ancient world offered few guarantees, if voyagers were fortunate enough to return with their lives, they could also be sure to return with at least one invaluable commodity: knowledge.

The world was an enormous jigsaw puzzle which had to be painstakingly put together, piece by piece, a practice which we know today as cartography – the making of maps.

Depending on how loosely the word ‘map’ is defined, arguably the earliest known example can be found in the caves of Lascaux, near Bordeaux in France. Some of the pre-historic rock art within these caves depict star constellations, which throughout history have provided direction and helped people to navigate. The earliest known printed examples of star maps are the work of a Chinese astronomer called Su Song, who lived in the 11th century.

Between 220 and 210 BC Xu Fu made two expeditions. He returned from the first empty handed. He didn’t return at all from the second one, and is presumed to have lived out the rest of his days on the islands which we now know as Japan.

The Qin dynasty was followed by the Han dynasty, one of the rulers of which – Liu Bang – had slightly more grounded ambitions with regards to the outside world. Eager to know what lay in the lands to the west, in 138 BC he dispatched a man called Zhang Qian to find out and report back with information. Little did Zhang Qian know, but his resulting journey into the heart of Asia would lay the foundations for one of the most important overland trade routes in human history: the Silk Road.

OUT OF CHINA The first Emperor, one Qin Shi Huang, had rather grander aspirations than establishing colonies and trading posts. He decided he wanted to live forever, so sent his minions off into the East China Sea with the unenviable task of locating the secret of immortality.

The most famous of these voyagers was a man called Xu Fu, who duly went about fulfilling the request in the company of 3,000 virgin children.

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CIVILIZATION TO EMPIRES Travel led to knowledge, to trade, to unfathomable riches. Ultimately it led to power.

Many empires had sprung up by the start of the first millennium, but there was one in particular that dominates the history books, just as it dominated much of the Western world during its existence: the Roman Empire.

As you might imagine, the Roman Empire – the size of which at its height in the 2nd century was unprecedented – cost a fair bit to run. This meant trade was essential, which in turn meant travel was essential, both within and outside the borders. Rome was the hub, and great highways radiated out from the ancient city like spokes on a wheel, stitching the entire empire together, from the grassy hillocks of northern England to the burnt deserts of Saudi Arabia.

The Romans were so prolifically effective at facilitating travel within their empire that many of their roads are still clearly visible to this day, and others form the literal foundations for major routes still in use.

This expansive network was clearly helpful for the army, and traders who needed to transport goods, but others benefited too. Superwealthy Romans built holiday villas in places like Pompeii, Baiae and Capri, and used them for vacations, marking the beginning of leisure travel and development of seaside resorts.

And then there were the early pilgrims, whose impressive journeys introduced an entirely new type of travel.

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INDUSTRY ARRIVES The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the mid 18th century and spread throughout Europe and North America over the next few decades.

The ways in which it changed society are practically infinite but as far as our story is concerned one of the most interesting developments was that of the railroad.

Many people even to this day claim that train travel is the best way to get around. It’s relatively cheap, it allows travelers to absorb the scenery through which they move and it offers the kind of comfort impossible to find on planes and busses. It is also an incredibly safe form of travel.

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SOARING THE SKIES - A NEW ERA OF TRAVEL TAKES OFF One evening in 1878 in the town of Richmond, Indiana, USA, a father brought home a toy for his two young sons, Orville and Wilbur. The toy was made from paper, bamboo and cork, and resembled what we might recognise today as a basic helicopter.

The father threw the toy into the air and, speaking many years later, the brothers recalled: “Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor.” Orville and Wilbur – better known today as the Wright Brothers – were utterly entranced by this thing. They played with the toy relentlessly and when it broke, instead of pestering their father for a replacement they just built a new one.

The boys turned into men and as they grew bigger and stronger so did their homemade toys, and a week before Christmas Day in 1903 they completed the first ever heavier-than- air human flight in their newly invented flying machine. It lasted 12 seconds, reached an altitude of ten feet and covered a distance of 37 metres.

The heavier-than- air point is important.

For thousands of years humans have been launching themselves into the skies using gliding contraptions with varying degrees of success.

But what the Wright Brothers had achieved was to invent something which actually powered through the air rather than simply resting on its currents.

It was a remarkable technological breakthrough, one which is still being fervently honed and improved to this day, though its basic principles remain the same. Humans had found a way to travel across land, they’d found a way to travel across water, and now they had found a way to travel through the air.

The first half of the 20th century was marked by two world wars, and the military potential of planes was lost on no one. This led to flying technology and the production of aeroplanes accelerating at a blistering pace, and by the end of the Second World War there was a surplus of disused military aircraft.

The larger bombers were converted into commercial aircraft, which started a whole new industry, and soon planes for the first time were being built solely to transport passengers en masse.

The first was the de Havilland DH 106 Comet, which was developed in Hertfordshire in the UK, and launched its commercial service in 1952. Alas, the design was flawed, and after several p Although the Comet was brought back into service after some much-needed adjustments, it would be a company called Boeing that saw enduring success with its commercial aircraft.

Boeing was already well-established as a plane manufacturer, having developed a name for itself making military aircraft during World War II. When the war ended Boeing turned its attention to passenger aircraft and in 1958, barely half a century since the Wright Brothers’ first tentative flight, launched its 707 model. One of the routes the new jet flew was New York to London, and 1958 was the first year that more passengers travelled to and from America by air than by ship.

A new era of travel had begun. Our era.

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BECKONING UNIVERSE - DIPPING OUR TOES IN THE COSMIC OCEAN It took a long time, many thousands of years, to explore the lump of rock upon which we live, to find its limits, and our own in the process, but that is just the beginning of the history of travel.

The next age of discovery, an age which has already begun, will take place in space, and like space, will not be finite, but infinite.

Even in an age when technology seems to advance at approximately the same speed as light, the idea of a human kicking up clouds of dust on the moon is still scarcely plausible.

Perhaps this is because almost half a century has passed since the last moon landing (there have been six, though we only ever hear about one) or perhaps it’s because it really was such a giant leap for mankind.

Neil Armstrong, as you no doubt know, was the man who, while taking a small step, coined that phrase. The pressure of saying something clever to the world’s population at the precise moment of summiting the pinnacle of human achievement must have been immense.

We have come a long way. A very long way.

Our fidgety, irrepressible impulse to move, to discover and cross new frontiers, to adapt to new environments, to appease that same unquenchable curiosity which prompted our earliest ancestors to swing down from the treetops and start exploring the jungle floor six million years ago, is as strong as ever.

And the only way to indulge it is to continue to travel...

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Up, up and away An Astronaut Reveals What Life in Space Is Really Like Marsha Ivins as told to Caitlin Roper in Wired magazine

There’s no way to anticipate the emotional impact of leaving your home planet. You look down at Earth and realise: You’re not on it. It’s breathtaking. It’s surreal. It’s a “we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto” kind of feeling. But I’ve spent a total of 55 days in space, over the course of five missions for NASA, and I’ve learned that being out there isn’t just a series of breathtaking moments. It’s a mix of the transcendently magical and the deeply prosaic. It can be crowded, noisy, and occasionally uncomfortable.

Space travel—at least the way we do it today— isn’t glamorous. But you can’t beat the view!

Everyone imagines that when you’re sitting on the launchpad atop 7 million pounds of explosive rocket fuel, you’re nervous and worried; but the truth is, there isn’t much to do for those two hours after you climb into the shuttle. Many astronauts just take a nap. You’re strapped in like a sack of potatoes while the system goes through thousands of prelaunch checks. Occasionally you have to wake up and say “Roger” or “Loud and clear.” But the launch itself is a whole other thing—from the pad to orbit in 8.5 minutes, accelerating the entire time until you reach the orbital velocity of 17,500 mph. That is a ride.

It turns out that once you’re actually in orbit, zero-g has some upsides. Without gravity, bodily fluids move toward your head. It’s a great

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INSPIRE face-lift. Your stomach gets flat. You feel long, because you grow an inch or two. (I thought, “Oh cool, I’ll be tall,” but of course everybody else was taller too.)

But zero-g also has some disadvantages. As that fluid shifts north, you get an enormous headache. Your body compensates and loses about a litre of fluid in the first couple of days— you essentially pee the headache away. And a lot of people get nauseated. The way to feel better is to “lose up”, to convince your visual system that “up” is wherever you point your head and “down” is where your feet are. When you can do that, and go headfirst or earlobe-first wherever you want, then you’re getting adapted to zero-g.

On each flight this adaptation happens more quickly—your body remembers having been in space. But it can take a few days before your stomach finally settles down and says, “OK, what’s for lunch?”

I didn’t eat much on any of my flights. I don’t have a big appetite even on Earth, but between the lack of gravity and the shifting fluids, things can taste different in space. I’d bring great chocolate with me and it would taste like wax—it was very disappointing. But you don’t go to space for the gourmet dining.

There’s no way to cook, on the shuttle or on the ISS. Space food is already cooked and then either freeze-dried and vacuum-packed—so you add water and put it in the oven to warm up—or it’s thermo-stabilized, like a military MRE. With no refrigerator on board, fresh food won’t keep.

So on the shuttle we’d have to eat anything fresh—usually fruit like apples, oranges, and grapefruit—early in the mission.

One of the strangest experiences in space is one of the simplest on Earth: sleeping. On the shuttle, you strap your sleeping bag to the wall or the ceiling or the floor, wherever you want, and you get in. It’s like camping. The bag has armholes, so you stick your arms through, reaching outside the bag to zip it up. You tighten the Velcro straps around you to make you feel like you’re tucked in. Then you strap your head

to the pillow—a block of foam—with another Velcro strap, to allow your neck to relax. If you don’t tuck your arms into the bag, they drift out in front of you. Sometimes you wake up in the morning to see an arm floating in front of your face and think, “Whoa! What is that?” until you realise it’s yours.

On most of my flights, I slept in the airlock, in the middeck of the shuttle. Nobody worked in there when we weren’t doing an EVA (extravehicular activity), so it was like my own private bedroom. The downside? It was also the coldest part of the shuttle by about 20 degrees. I would tuck my arms into the bag and wear four layers of clothes; sometimes I’d warm up a package of food in the oven and throw it in my sleeping bag like a hot-water bottle. On the last two nights of my final flight, I slept on the flight deck, my sleeping bag strapped beneath the overhead windows. The position of the shuttle put Earth in those windows, so when I woke up the whole world was out there in front of me—in that moment, just for me alone.

The most amazing thing about my spaceflights was how relaxing they were. New astronauts get so worried about fulfilling their duties that they sometimes get hours or days into a mission before stopping to watch the sun rise, even though it happens 16 times a day on orbit.

Shuttle flights were always busy—experiments, daily maintenance, EVAs, robotic operations. It was incredibly hard work, stressful in its own way, and scary—if you screwed up, you screwed up with people all over the world watching. But at the same time I found it all very relaxing.

When you travel on Earth, you’re almost never out of touch. Anyone can reach you if they need to. But going to space, you are really out of reach. You have communication with the ground and email, sure, but there’s not much you can do about those everyday worries: Did I pay the bills? Did I feed the dog? I felt like everyday things just stopped at the edge of the atmosphere. I was totally liberated from Earth.

“You look down at Earth and realise: you’re not on it”

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But all those earthly concerns reattached as soon as we reentered. By the time I landed, my brain was mapping out a to-do list.

I never got sick going to space, but I never felt great coming home. When you return, your inner ear—which keeps you balanced on Earth and which has been essentially turned off for the duration of your trip—feels a little gravity and becomes unbelievably sensitive. Your balance is off and you have to relearn how to move in a gravity field. If I turned my head, I would fall over. Muscles you haven’t used in weeks have to reengage to help you do everyday stuff like walk, stand, and hold things. It can take days or weeks to get your Earth legs back.

It was hard, it was exciting, it was scary, it was indescribable. And yes, I’d go back in a heartbeat.

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The Twelve Months – From Greece

Once upon a time there was an old woman who went out to the woods to gather herbs.

As she picked this herb and that flower she wandered deeper into the woods until she came upon a cave set against a cliff. Inside the cave she saw twelve young men sitting in a circle.

Looking up, one of the men called out to her, “Grandmother would you please settle an argument for us? We are the twelve months of the year and we want to know which one of us is the most beautiful?” The woman laughed and said, “You are all beautiful. Each of you makes me smile in a different way. January and February bring the snows that cover the hills in white blankets, while March and April bring the rain that glistens on the branches of the trees and nourishes the budding plants. May and June bring the end of spring and the beginning of summer, while the sunshine of July and August fills our homes with the goodness of the vine and the field. September and October bring

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cool breezes from the sea while November and December herald another winter, with hoary frosts that greets us each morning.”

“Grandmother, you have praised us all and we will reward you in kind. Please, give us your shawl.” She handed it to them and they folded it and tied it and filled it so that she had to carry it over her shoulders. “Thank you, kind sirs,” she said when they gave it back to her.

When the old woman arrived home she gathered her family around her and told them of her meeting with the twelve months. Then she untied the shawl and out poured gold coins that filled the table and spilled out onto the floor. The old woman and her family could not believe their eyes. Their poverty was over and they would be free from hunger.

One day, a neighbor came by and remarked to the old woman that she and all her family seemed uncommonly prosperous of late. The woman told her about all that had happened

in the wood—the forest cliff, the twelve months, and the shawl filled with gold. Now, this neighbor was always a bit envious of anyone else’s good fortune and was more than a bit selfish and mean-spirited,too. She decided that she also must have some gold and so she walked into the woods and came to the cave in the cliff.

There were the twelve young men and when they saw her they asked, “Grandmother, can you settle an argument for us? Which month of the year is the most beautiful?”

The woman thought for a moment and said, “None. The winter months are cold and snowy and chill my bones, while the summer months are hot and humid and make me tired. The spring months are rainy and muddy, and make it hard to walk to town, while the fall months are chilly and only get chillier.”

“Very well, then,” said the twelve young men.

“May we have your shawl?” She had brought a very large shawl and handed it over to them

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with excitement. They filled it up to the top and handed it back to her.

“Thank you,” she groaned as she hauled the heavy shawl over her shoulder and turned toward home. At home she gathered the whole family around the kitchen table and told them all of what happened. “And now we will be rich like our neighbors,” she said and with that she opened the shawl, but the only thing that spilled out was dirt.

Filled with anger, the disappointed woman ran to her neighbor’s house and complained loudly that the advice she had been given was bad.

Amazed, the kind old neighbor asked, “What did you say when the men asked you which month of the year was the most beautiful?”

“I told them the truth as I see it; none of them is beautiful to me.” “Well then,” laughed the wiser and richer neighbor. “They rewarded you according to your answer.”

INSPIRE

Role of Family Vacation in Child’s Development

by Dr Asma Naheed, Educational Psychologist, Special Needs Consultant and Public Speaker

Primary school children are “working” 46 hours per week – nine hours more than their parents – a new report has claimed.

This “work” time for kids, which consists of school and scheduled activities, leaves just an hour and a half of “free”, or unstructured, time each day. And 65 per cent of that is spent in front of a screen, leaving half an hour each day of free-play time without TV or tablets.

Rather than the insignificant 30 minutes each day of screen-free unscheduled time modern children have, Dr. Wass recommends three hours of unstructured time on each weekday and six hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Books can spark our imagination and we can see how other people live. Books can open our minds and connect our hearts. There’s only one teacher more powerful than books, and that is travel, which can develop their brain and teach them some unexpected great lessons.

1. Travel teaches flexibility: You can make plans, but that doesn’t mean it goes as planned. With cancelled or delayed flights, crowded trains and bad weather, travel doesn’t always go the way you hope.

Kids learn to go with flow. They learn to be

ACCORDING TO DR.SAM WASS OF CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, THIS IS HOW OUR CHILDREN SPEND THEIR DAYS: Children wake at 7am and go to bed at 8pm They spend 35 minutes in school/sports clubs 32 minutes on homework and rehearsing 50 minutes reading 14 minutes helping with housework 6 hours in school (someday schools have longer hours) In addition to this is time spent on eating, bathing and travelling for school and activities

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7. Travel helps bring history to life: Children get more fascinated as they travel through places that are mentioned in their school books. It makes what they learn real and they become more interesting in exploring more knowledge by visiting museums, and other historical towns and places.

accommodating and to let go of what they cannot control. And of course, they learn to have great appreciation when travel goes flawlessly right.

2. Travel teaches them that a world exists outside of yourself: “Wait? I’m not the center of the universe?” discovers every teenager everywhere at some point in time. When you travel, your children can learn this important lesson a whole lot sooner. Travel shows children that there’s a whole world out there with different cultures, different languages, different food and different currency.

8. Travel can teach your kids to love the present: Visiting small places like parks with swings, beaches, family picnics, local tournaments and sports fields make them enjoy each moment, instead of exhausting the kids by dragging them from one tourist spot to another.

3. Travel teaches self-belief: Experiencing the gritty realness of an unfamiliar city and navigating your way through (as a family) is a confidence builder.

Kids can learn important life skills from observing their parents.

4. Travel teaches respect: Parents can share with them that it was important to have respect for how other cultures live, how they dress and how they are different. It was important to us as parents that our children to learn that the way we do things as a family is not the only way or the best way.

9. It can affect children’s life skills and personality: Travelling challenge strengthens the ‘openness’ dimension of young adult personality, according to a 2013 paper by Zimmerman and Neyer. The paper adds that this adaptation makes them less emotionally reactive to dayto-day changes, improving emotional stability, while meeting new people can also help them with agreeableness.

5. Rules for family travel: Parents can make fun family rules during travel which helps in bonding. Helping them read maps, finding bus or train routes, packing light, emergency kits, searching new destinations, tasting new cuisines and converting a new currency.

6. Travel can increase your awareness: To teach kids about appreciating other cultures, parents can live in an apartment hotels rather than conventional hotels to see the real culture and shop at local grocery stores (a family favorite) and live differently for a while. Shopping for trinkets appreciate the experience more than the stuff.

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This month I am.. .…

Trying to solve..

Reading..

Listening to..

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho I read this just a few days before my birthday and immediately made the decision to spend it alone in the desert, surrounded by open nature and perfect stillness. This book is a beautifully told story and a life-changing read that will make you want to go out and embrace the world and all that’s in it.

A modern classic, this is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.

The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams.

Ted Talk: Where is home?

by Pico Iyer More and more people worldwide are living in countries not considered their own. Writer Pico Iyer — who himself has three or four “origins” — meditates on the meaning of home, the joy of traveling and the serenity of standing still.

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“Traveling is one of the easiest ways to become aware of the magic that weaves all of creation together” – Adam Siddiq

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“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– Saint Augustine