“When it comes to travel, it is something almost universally loved. They say travel is the spice of an otherwise ordinary life. Through the act of taking flight or hitting the road, we leave behind many of the things that trouble us in our daily lives—people we’d rather not see, dark thoughts, and neglected love. Travel stems partly from a longing to explore the world and partly from an inherent urge to escape. Often, the need for travel masks a deeper desire to flee—much like the heron’s solitary nap amidst the bamboo, seeking sanctuary in the quiet embrace of nature. Even when life is going smoothly, one still feels the need to throw oneself into an unfamiliar world, stepping out of the comfort zone and into a different culture. By immersing yourself in a new environment, you begin to see the world through the eyes of locals and, in turn, recognize your own distinctiveness as an outsider.”