I Used to Travel More; Now, as an Expat, I Don't Need to

After my divorce, I traveled internationally at least once a year (usually to Italy) and took a couple of domestic trips as well.

Since moving to Italy four years ago, however, I have traveled a lot less. Sometimes I kick myself for it because I have all of Europe within a few hours by plane.

And yet, I realized there's a reason I feel less need to travel.

Why I Travel

I loved immersing myself in the other of a place. New cultures, new language, new history, new experiences.

I've explored ancient nuraghi (stone houses) in Sardinia. I've eaten a modern dessert of cotton candy caught on fire in Poland. I witnessed the most beautiful Strawberry Moon over the sea in Perissa, Santorini. I've snorkeled with sharks in Hawaii.

In short, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone in the best ways possible. I've met incredible people and tasted magical food.

It turns out, living in another country can check all of those boxes.

Fully Embracing my Expat Life

One of my goals when I moved to Italy was to immerse myself in the community and culture. I think I've done a pretty good job of achieving this.

I do not often hang out with expats. I didn't want to fall into the trap of surrounding myself with the familiar. After all, I paid a lot to uproot myself from my American life to be here! (And this isn't to say that I don't REALLY enjoy being able to speak English rapidly and tell jokes that no Italian gets when I hang out with my friend Gina!)

I do my best to live like the people around me. I have made friends in Davoli. I drink coffee with the widows. Joke with the barflies. Make the bread with Mamma. Pick olives with the family. Learn a little of the Davolese dialect.

This weekend, I participated in a religious procession. I loved the magic and history; we carried torches through the streets of Davoli, followed by a truck (very historic!) carrying a statue of Mary and "angel" kiddos.

This isn't something I would have been invited to do if I was a tourist somewhere. I have the privilege of participating because I am now a local.

In short, I am having the same "other" experiences that I crave(d) in my travels.

Appreciating the Other Right Here

This isn't to say I'm done traveling. Certainly not (we're headed to Pompei next weekend). But I'm cutting myself some slack about not traveling as much as I thought I would before I moved.

Instead, I embrace the opportunities I encounter here in my life. I'm making memories...without the airfare.