It's 7:45pm on November 9th and I am about to board a flight from Ahmedabad, India to Mumbai. Everyone around me is mingling with their loved ones donning bright smiles and sharing laughs. Children are chasing each other, giggling, and spirits generally are high.
It's almost my turn to board so I reach for my passport and boarding pass, as I have done one thousand times before, and notice myself placing my left palm over the front cover of my passport bearing the Great Seal of the United States with "United States of America" embossed in gold lettering, shielding it so no one can see. My eyes start to well up and I try to hold back tears, but a few find a way to trickle down my cheek. This feeling is so foreign and uncomfortable and I become paralyzed with emotion, but I continue my walk down the gangway, ashamed and confused.
7 Reasons Why Travelers Are Happier People
Imagine the open road. An endless stretch of highway just waiting to be traversed. You don’t know where you’re going. But, you don’t really mind. Adventure is your middle name, and you’re open to travel anywhere. Whether it’s another state, another country or just a neighboring county, you’re willing to have new experiences. This describes the life of a traveler. You know what other word would describe a traveler? Happy.
Happiness is a fleeting feeling in society. With 7 out of 10 people reporting physical or emotional symptoms of stress, it seems as if happiness isn’t within reach. We all want to be happy. And it seems travelers are some of the happiest people on the planet. But, why? Why are the ones who constantly change their surroundings and embark on adventures the happiest? Before we can answer that question, we first have to understand what causes the unhappiness.
Stress is a major factor in building up unhappiness. It’s one of those things that is ever present in our lives and never seems to go away. So, if it’s so bad, how do you get rid of it? Technically, you can never get rid of stress. It’s always going to be there. However, there are ways in which you can manage it. And, once you learn how to deal with stress, you’ll realize that the people who can handle unfortunate events and stressful situations are generally happier people. So, with all that in mind, let’s delve into why travelers seem to have the distant treasure of happiness that most people desperately seek.
Read more3 things we learned at OKTOBERFEST this year
AND IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT!
This year's Oktoberfest + Bavaria adventure was beyond words. The group, the weather, the adventures...There's enough goodness to talk about for days! Instead of reminiscing in full detail, we thought you'd like to hear three of the best things we learned from this year's Oktoberfest!
Read more3 Years Ago We Had a Dream...
IT ALL STARTED THREE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK......with two girls and a crazy dream. 3 years and 13 adventures later, WHOA has become an unstoppable community of over 200 kick ass women from around the world who are changing what it means to travel!
Read moreSalkantay, Her Way!
Welcome Elizabeth (aka "Mama Sherpa") to our WHOA Peru Crew! We are so stoked to announce that Elizabeth will be our lead mountain guide for both of our 2017 Salkantay Treks to the lost city of Machu Picchu. After falling in love with this gal on our last visit to Peru, we knew we had to make her a permanent part of our team. She's a local Peruvian who's been hiking through the Andes her whole life, and her wild, wondrous spirit and extensive knowledge of the region will bring so much to each of our adventures. Get to know Mama Sherpa...
Read more8 Awesome Travel Apps We Just Can't Live Without!
At WHOA, we want you to have the adventure of your lifetime, while staying safe, smart, and spontaneous while doing so! When we travel, we like to feel organized and on top of things as much as possible to get the most out of our trip. But we also know that a few of those finer details are sometimes best left up in the air, or rather, until the moment the plane touches ground! Even the most experienced globetrotters could use an app or two. Apps like Uber and AirBnB have revolutionized transportation and hospitality, and they’re just getting better. Currency Converters and Language translators are a must have for any trip abroad. Now here’s a list we've made of eight innovative, awesome, and cutting edge travel apps that will make your next adventure as smooth as possible! Grab your hiking boots, download a few of these apps, and we promise - you’ll have the world at your fingertips!
Read moreRose, Bud, Thorn.
The highs, lows, and the bliss of the unknown - WHOA Peruvian Adventure 2016
It was the end of a long day of hiking in the Andes and our group was physically exhausted, yet surprisingly energetic after our first day on the trails. Eleven hours of overcoming the altitude and engaging with strangers may seem tiring, but it was the never-ending support from a group of twelve incredible women and the desire to conquer the unknown that kept us moving forward, one foot in front of the other, until we reached our destination.