Fortunately, both my husband and l love to travel. Truthfully, it sometimes takes me a while to talk him into it, but once we are there, he enjoys himself. There are benefits I see to stimulate your brain and create a learning experience.

1. Planning a trip takes a lot of work. You read from various sources and collaborate to make sure each person has something of interest.

2. Making arrangements requires organization and stimulates executive function.

3. Enveloping yourself in the history of a place broadens your exposure to new information and helps you get a much deeper understanding of their culture.

4. From meeting people and getting their understanding of events in history, you begin to see the political ramifications of their experience and contrast it to yours.

5. Exposing yourself to art and music greatly enhances joy.

6. Generally, one does a lot of walking when touring. We are on the last leg of a trip to Halifax, Newfoundland, and Quebec City and I started to review my thoughts while on this trip.

As one gets older, you realize what a gift it is that you can travel, that somehow the aches and pains and disabilities take a less important role in the face of discovering new things. Challenging yourself is a good thing. When you have an idea, then try to determine what exactly you want to see, it takes quite a bit of research to determine location, hotel and sites to visit. Careful planning pays off but when challenges arise, such as when a 16-hour ferry from Newfoundland to Halifax is cancelled for two weeks. You need to be able to pivot to a new plan without wasting time awfulizing and catastrophizing the situation. Flexibility is the key!

Where ever you go, there is an emphasis on history. I learned a lot about the influence of many nations in building resources and settlements in Newfoundland, the importance of cod fishing in the lives of the First People here, and the devastation when the cod ran out and 35,000 people were suddenly unemployed. It was also amazing to understand the political situation in Newfoundland and the importance of Gander in the Second World War and 911.

We heard about the negative effect of “Newfie jokes” on their self esteem and how that has all changed as they develop their resources and welcome so may tourists to their island. You explore how these stories relate to your own beliefs and attitudes. We often have preconceived notions about places and sometimes these need adjusting. We were surprised to see that there are a tremendous number of new houses in Newfoundland. I know when you travel you mostly get to see the good things, but honestly, we saw only half a dozen houses that were not painted and well cared for. We did not see poverty, and saw only three people who were asking for money on the street. Years ago, we travelled to Sweden, where my grandparents are from. I understood Grandpa so much better once I understood the norms in Sweden. Because of the profound effect experiencing different cultures has on your understanding of the world order, it seems obvious to me as time goes on that in order to be a good leader on the national front, it is necessary for you to be well travelled. I love music and art, and love seeing regional influences on the arts, especially when I discover a new technique I have never seen before.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is meeting someone that you know or have some connection with. This time we were talking to someone we met in a restaurant who said he had been in Assiniboia, where Ron and I are from. He said he was there once with a football team when he taught in Wynyard. Ron was on the team that beat Wynyard during that visit! We love meeting people and really enjoyed a few couples we met while we were away. Exercise goes hand in hand with exploring and that is always a god thing. As well, practising photography is something I really enjoy.

We love travelling with just we two but also with a small group of like-minded people. Large groups with tight schedules drive us crazy. Maintaining relationships is important to us. Somehow, FaceTime conversations just are not the same as sharing experiences. We love people from different areas and countries, and try to combine tourism with renewing friendships. In the end, when we return home, we really appreciate where we live, our family and friends, and our own sense of belonging. It seems like a win all around. Mark Twain travelled extensively and once said, “

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindless, and many people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth.”

Dr. Vicki Holmes is a Saskatoon retired family physician who has a special interest in Palliative Care and Women’s Health. She is passionate about sharing medical information with the public! (Vicki’s Photo: Memories by Mandy)

– Dr Vicki Holmes