I wish I had some fun childhood story about growing up and traveling with my family but, while we did travel growing up, even traveling out of the country (just across to a border town in Mexico), the importance of it didn’t hit me until college.
In college, I met people from all over the world. People who had traveled and seen more than I had. People had amazing stories while I had, seemingly, none. It was then that an itch was sparked inside of me.
I remember learning about people’s different cultures for the first time and, having grown up in a not very diverse part of the country, I remember feeling fascinated, but also quite embarrassed. Like they knew so much about me and my country and I knew nothing of theirs. I felt it my responsibility to learn of their culture in the same way they learned of mine.
I remember traveling abroad, properly, for the first time and being amazed. More often than I’d like to admit, I was definitely ‘that American’ (and probably still am sometimes). And when I met my British husband, began traveling with him, and, eventually, moved abroad, I started truly realizing the importance of going and meeting and learning.
Becoming a mom/mum has also changed my perspective on the world. The way we travel is also very different. But now, more than ever, I feel the importance of getting out and, not just learning for myself, but showing my son the lessons the world has to offer so he can grow up to contribute positively to it.
The world is so big and full of so many people and places. And each and every one of them has stories. Stories that can teach you. Stories that can transform you. Traveling allows you to live a thousand lives in one. To have a thousand experiences and make the most of the short time we all have.
I started this blog as a way to show people that and encourage them to go. To help them be more prepared and confident in themselves. And to show them how they can pass that on to their children.
From me and mine, to you and yours. Thanks for joining our family. We can’t wait to share in your adventure.
xx
Just Plane Carly
Just Plane Carly is a travel blog dedicated to inspiring and helping new parents travel the world with their children.
Carly is a writer, an American living in England with her British husband, and a mum to two. She started Just Plane Carly in 2017 as a travel journal of sorts but, as she has grown, so it has grown to be the product of a passion for helping parents gain the confidence to get out, see the world with their children, and experience all it has to offer.
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