I've Changed
 

I know I have changed.

Ignoring the 'tourist or traveller' comparisons, but answering the OP, I have;

1) become much more tollerant of people and situations,

2) accepted that lots of things are out of my controll, and go with it,

3) realised that I do know my limits, and I now have the strength of character to do what is right for me. I guess I don't do the peer pressure thing anymore.


finally,

I know you said 3 Ted, but,,,

4) I realise how important my family is.

In keeping with the gist of the original question. How has travelling changed me?

I've traveled since I was a child and carried this into my adulthood as well.


1. It's taught me to stop whining about my own country, especially when much of the whining is about trivial things. Having seen migrant workers in Mexican fields with nearby cardboard shelters (in the 80's) made me realize that Canada is a pretty damn prosperous country. This has been reinforced while riding a moped through the hills in Cuba and seeing the huts with mud floors.

2. It's taught me to at least try to respect others, whatever stage of life they're at.

3. It made me understand and realize that, at our core, the human species is pretty much the same all over. Our hopes, fears, wants, needs and aspirations are pretty much the same once you remove the trivial stuff like consumerist needs.

4. Bonus answer: It's mostly all STUFF. Most of the STUFF that we think we need is not needed for happiness. In fact it often gets in the way of happiness.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

I recognise that some people insulate themselves from the enviroment that they are visiting, but that is almost impossible when travelling by motorcycle. You are out there exposed to weather, the enviroment, you have to intereact with locals whether you can speak the language or not.
This has certainly changed me in many of the ways described by other contributors and I don't think I have met anybody who has not been affected in some way by their experiences, usually in a positive way.

I'd like to think that most of us can get things into perspective, develop patience and understand what really matters merely by travelling through life.

Whether you're crawling, walking, riding, driving or flying........'round the block or 'round the world. Enjoy life.

I certainly have a lot more notches under the belt!

Just from my meager travels so far:

1. Luck is in what you make of a situation: When a problem comes up don't despair, look forward eagerly to how it will be solved. Something will come up. It always does.

2. The world is a lot friendlier and safer place than the media and the government would have you believe.

3. Greet the world with a smile and it will return the favor. In more detail: Greet a strangers with a smile and they will become friends. Greet strangers with a blank look or a grimace and they will ignore you. Greet strangers with a sneer and they will become enemies. Make rude gestures at strangers and you will get punched in the face.