I shot this during the return flight from a recent first trip to Chicago. I've been thinking about travel a lot lately, delving into exactly what is so alluring about getting on a plane or a train and just getting away! Is it the thrill of seeing life in front of a new backdrop for a little while.. something new and stimulating to keep your eyes and viewpoints limber? Is it the satisfaction of temporarily relieving yourself of your duties, however enjoyable or mundane they may be in your everyday life? Is it getting to sleep in?

I guess really, it's all about shaking things up, isn't it.. expanding your knowledge base, challenging your adaptability.. your eagerness for adventure. How much you get out of it depends on how much you are willing to stretch yourself. After all, being in a city where you are just another accessory for its avenues and curbs should spur you to speak a little more boldly, forge ahead in a dress you would never think of wearing at home, and perhaps enjoy a delectable meal of sushi for the first time. And then you return home a little richer, a little more seasoned, and most certainly completely refreshed!
© Christine Mastroianni, all rights reserved