Awkward discussion
The other day I was talking with my friends about what we will do once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and life goes back to normal as much as possible, when I was surprised to learn that one of them is totally against travelling. As I enjoy travelling and learning about different cultures and people so much, I was very surprised at her opinion. According to my friend, travelling is the main cause of the spread of diseases all over the world, dilutes the individuality of the nations and may even be the cause of wars. Despite these arguments I still disagree with her and can’t see the point of not ever travelling because I see it as the exact opposite.
Travelling is not only a fun activity, but it is also a huge learning opportunity. You get to see new cultures, meet new people, understand different Philosophies and try things that you might not have known existed. Though I might understand some reluctance and fear towards travelling nowadays, if we do it according to safety regulations, I think we should all travel as much as we can. As someone very interested in history, I believe travelling is the best way to truly understand Humanity’s impact in the world. As someone who loves eating and has always been very keen on different flavours, it is interesting to discover the different ways people cook and eat around the world. And if not for these purposes, travelling is still amazing for me because I am able to see my loved ones, since most of my family is scattered around the world. The few times that visited them have been the happiest of my life. Plus, all cultures are intertwined. Most of European culture would be completely different if we hadn’t invaded the global south and appropriated their wealth.
So, visiting a new country shouldn’t diminish its individuality. It should be an opportunity to learn about it and respect it even more!
Texto redigido pela aluna Laura Teixeira da turma I do 10º ano, no âmbito da disciplina de Inglês, com a professora Noémia Taboada.
