First and foremost, welcome! I am thrilled to present to you the first edition of “Up and Away, Down to Earth” and honored to be a part of Think Outside the Box Inside the Box. My goal is simple: to help you realize the world is indeed your oyster, and it’s easier than ever to see it.
When I was approached to write this column, I jumped at the opportunity. To share what I love and what I’ve learned about travel is something I’ve always wanted to do. At Think Outside the Box Inside the Box, part of the mission and vision is to teach you to create from what you have, and that applies to everything. Especially travel. Traveling is good for the soul, and I’m here to show you how to create from what you have, whether it’s time, money, or know-how – however plentiful or limited it may be.
As a little kid, I would wake up in the middle of the night, open the window – even in winter – and look up at the moon, dreaming about far away places. I wanted to travel the world. This wasn’t just about locations; it was about independence and freedom to go wherever I wanted. And that’s the key here: in the 21st century, in this time of globalization and nonstop, around-the-world flights, we have the freedom to go anywhere. Life is so short, and the earth so big, but it’s never been easier to see. So save up those vacation days and keep an eye out for special fares: it’s time to make the most of it.
We all have jobs. Obligations eat up much of our daily lives. Before we know it, we can’t remember the last time we took a vacation, snuck away for a weekend, played hooky. But it’s important to push yourself and continue to grow – expand your horizons and experience new places. Think about how fast we can travel from one continent to the next, compared to a century ago: what once took months by boat now takes hours by plane. The technology to research, navigate, and plan a trip is at everyone’s fingertips – for even the most timid traveler, the possibilities are endless. So explore. Examine. Make that human connection. There are some things like laughter, a smile, and intention with your eyes that transcend every language, so don’t limit yourself to places where they only speak yours. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wisely said, “The eyes of men converse as much as their tongues, with the advantage that the ocular dialect needs no dictionary, but is understood all the world over.”
Stephanie Weyant was born in Kansas City and spent much of her childhood traveling the United States. From TWA flights as an infant, to New England road trips as an adult, travel has always been a part of Stephanie’s life. When she turned 18, she got her passport and began to explore the world. From Iceland to Scotland to Nepal, her adventures have ranged from solitude and tranquility to exotic and wild.
With her endless fascination of new places and innate curiosity of other cultures, Stephanie continues to enrich her life with stories and experiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. As a natural teacher, it is this knowledge combined with a love of writing that Stephanie brings you, “Up and Away, Down to Earth,” her travel column where she will share her insights and tips on traveling and making the most out of the resources we have.
Stephanie lives and works in New York City and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Denver. She also spent a year abroad studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
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