Is travelling on a budget worth it?

Do you sometimes wish while you are travelling how amazing it would be if you could stay at the five-star hotel with the city views that take your breath away? Dine every evening where the top chefs decide to cook their steak as tender as the smile that illuminates from every diner’s face? Would it not be a dream to be taken to every location in a luxury taxi where the seats are leather, you can even automatically roll down your window to allow your face to be touched by the exotic weather.

Sometimes I fall into that state of daydream whilst I am travelling too. To be blessed with every single form of comfort so that I will never be stressed, tired or fall ill. However, I quickly realise that I am blessed with more than luxury. Because with every hardship that travel entails, I realise how beautiful the world is. How amazing I am as a human to be able to cope with what I go through, and that I am strong enough to accomplish anything.

Although it would be great to travel like a millionaire, you will miss out on a lot of the world. You will never get a true grasp of where you are unless you decide to go out of your comfort zone and see more of the world for all it has to offer. The good and the bad. Be humble and open your mind to the world that hides behind the propaganda of the place. Every country is embellished in a coating that hides certain areas for the profit of tourism. All we may see are smiling faces, white beaches and cheap alcohol. But it is not a paradise city for the large majority of residents. That is not the real world. You will never experience the true story of residents or find your true story to tell if you decide to stick to the travel brochure and go to the photogenic locations in order to see what you only want to see, and not face reality.

I have to admit that if I had the money, I would probably never have started to travel on a budget, but if you wish to see more and even more countries until you have excessed your ability to see any more of the world, you will begin to appreciate your money and stretch it as far as possible. Thanks to being forced to think outside of the box and start to travel on a budget I have seen corners of countries that remain hidden even to the residents of the country. I have made friends and heard stories that I would not have had the chance to otherwise. I realise that I am beyond blessed to even be able to travel in the first place, as many people whom I have encountered with have never and may never have the chance to board a plane to visit family or even to enjoy a short vacation abroad.

I guess the point of this article is to teach you to never underappreciate the power of money and the blessing of being able to travel, even if it has to be on a budget. Seeing the world in a ruthless fashion and appreciating the country for the good as well as the bad. Because nowhere can be perfect, that would be too boring. Make the most of your experiences and your money, you will appreciate it, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time, it will most definitely be one of your best and memorable experiences you will attain.