(Photo by © Brandon Elijah Scott / Eye & Pen)
The experience of traveling to a destination is subject to circumstance and event. Someone may have a wonderful and unique time in Rome, by staying at a hostel or couch surfing, by meeting great people and having an overall positive time there. However, others may have a completely different experience, based on who they met, where they stayed, and what happened. For each and every person, a place will feel different and the experiences one has there will differ from anybody else’s, no matter the kind of destination. Travel and perception are both subject to the relationship of experience in each individual’s eyes.
I’ve heard ravings of positive feelings and adoration toward London, however my own experience was not quite as lovely – and I’m now left with a less than warm feeling when I think back on my time in London. I was new to traveling internationally and without knowing any better, I chose where I was going to stay based on price, not on the location. And as you may have guessed, I stayed in a rather dodgy area of town in a London hostel, far away from the attractions, and the more positive experiences that I could have had. This choice hindered my ability to wander the great lengths of the city freely and effected my judgements on the place, therefore changing the experience I had altogether. I left London thinking that it was a dump – a sprawling mess that wasn’t even 1% English. While part of that perception may be legitimate for certain parts of London, it’s a bad judgement, narrow-minded on the fact that I only really experienced a certain area.
No matter how your first experience was, nor how awful or traumatic it felt, it’s important to give yourself some time before returning again, however, the point is to ACTUALLY return – and to give the place a second chance. Each time you visit somewhere, the experience will always be different than the time before, but it’s important have a well-rounded view, rather than to remain with a fractured misconception of a memory. The same can also be true when one has an amazing time, full of romanticized memories, to where the second visit is nowhere near as magical and memorable – but that’s life. The first time you had ice cream or pizza probably was life-changing, and while each time afterwards it was pleasurable and you enjoyed it, it will never have the same introductory surprise as the first time.
I don’t know when I will return to London again, but I know that I will give it another go – trying new things, meeting new people and giving it the benefit of a doubt. And if you can relate, you should too.
No matter how your first experience was, nor how awful or traumatic it felt, it’s important to give yourself some time before returning again, however, the point is to ACTUALLY return – and to give the place a second chance. Each time you visit somewhere, the experience will always be different than the time before, but it’s important have a well-rounded view, rather than to remain with a fractured misconception of a memory. The same can also be true when one has an amazing time, full of romanticized memories, to where the second visit is nowhere near as magical and memorable – but that’s life. The first time you had ice cream or pizza probably was life-changing, and while each time afterwards it was pleasurable and you enjoyed it, it will never have the same introductory surprise as the first time.
I don’t know when I will return to London again, but I know that I will give it another go – trying new things, meeting new people and giving it the benefit of a doubt. And if you can relate, you should too.
(This piece was written by Brandon Elijah Scott and originally published on HostelsClub)
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