Genuine and Meaningful Experiences

I think that the most meaningful travel experience is that experience that sticks in you mind forever. Or perhaps changes how you thought about something. Over the years I have forgotten the details of many of our trips other than to remember them as very positive in broad, general ways. BUT -- the trip to Cuba in 14 is seared in my memory. Food distribution centers with no food, Rx with no drugs, public housing projects that made Cabrini Green in Chicago look up scale, school libraries with no books, computer labs with five broken first generation IBM laptops, the meeting with the Senior Minister for the Office of Economic Development, traveling the Russian built express way down the middle of Cuba and meeting no vehicle, seeing oxen plowing fields. It was the most exhausting and enlightening week we have ever spent traveling. I could go on but will never, ever, forget that week down to the smallest detail.

I guess for some it's seeing some particular sight they've always wanted to see or the Rick Steves "you have to get away from the tourists and meet locals" philosophy. I do a lot of planning for the first type but inevitably the memories that stick out after a tour are more likely to be surprises along the way or quirky things that happened. I have this weird fascination with the intricacies of European plumbing. Like the public toilet in Rousillon where I spent several minutes trying to locate the flush button. Gave up, walked to the sink and there above it was the button.

Something that you can extract out of that specific travel context or trip and apply or weave into other life settings that are much broader and significant. It's usually something that spurs action or challenges you in some way (physically, mentally, spiritually, etc) as opposed to passive enjoyment of some thing or some place. Some travel-related experiences can literally change one's life and calling - e.g. serving in the Peace Corps overseas or interfacing with people who are of a totally different culture or station in life or whatever. It doesn't need to be that dramatic or even in some exotic foreign locale- everything is on a sliding scale in terms of meaningful events in one's life.

"Seek out travel moments that are genuine and meaningful to you personally.”

To me, this means planning a trip around things that you really want to do instead of things that might be expected of you to do. I think all travellers have at one time of another spent valuable trip time doing something because it's one is supposed to do when in London/Paris/Rome... rather than because we we genuinely wanted to or enjoyed it. Watching the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace comes to mind for me. My first trip to Europe was with my parents and we hit all of the major art museums, which did absolutely nothing for my parents. I loved them, but my parents would have been happier doing other things that would mean more to them such as vineyard tour of the Loire Valley for my mother for instance.

I don't think that means that we can't challenge ourselves with new experiences, but I think it means that before someone joins the crowd elbowing fellow travellers for that selfie with the Mona Lisa, maybe they should ask themselves if that's really worth it.

This is becoming a trend amongst a group of travelers who travel for the 'experience'. If you have a Netflix account, just watch 'World's Most Amazing Vacation Homes' to see what I mean. Seems it isn't just the nice cabin, but all the 'experiences'. Now I know that is a jaded view of things, and maybe it is as genuine as the person expects...but I sometimes have to wonder what depth 'meaningful' really goes for some. Special moments that are genuine may be simple or deep but I do think they should be deep enough to make you reassess aspects of life, or fullfil some lifelong dream or goal. Motorcycling through the paramo of South America. Swimming with Galapagos Penguins. Things that are not contrived by others who create their version of a meaningful event that they sell (in whatever context) to you.
I sometimes set up travel where I may have more opportunities for these types of events, but not to the finest detail, as often they rely on something you may not be aware of.
I booked a safari with a strong social component. It was still meant to be all about the animals, but I realized the social part is what got under my skin when I walked up to my modest attached house and stopped in my tracks. I looked at it, embarrassed, as I tried to calculate how many Maasai homes would fit inside my house...where I live alone. I started to be mindful of every cent I spent, donated a lot of stuff I didn't need and was soon making plans to return as a volunteer. It was a big reminder that 'stuff doesn't buy happiness or memories. I booked the social focused trips to allow opportunities to learn about locals, but I never knew just how meaningful and personal...and life influencing it was going to be.

I liked what Maria wrote. Indeed, "genuine and meaningful experiences" have become slogans and marketing products sold by Airbnb, Travel and Leisure, Trip Advisor, cruise lines, and the tourism industry at large. That's one side of the coin. Of course, there's the other side but I don't think it comes in a commoditized package, it's something personal to each individual.

Allan, I think that quote perfectly defines the focus of planning a solo trip, and for me, those extra special moments are usually something from the months of internet research. I’ve had wonderful trips to Europe with my husband with me. But, when it’s going to be a solo trip, instead, there’s a lot of opportunity to look at different itineraries, different activities and tailor them to areas that are very meaningful to me.

A few examples:
Attending the Music Festival at Stresa, Italy. I’ve played classical piano for years, so this was a fantastic, memorable evening. (I’m planning to go back again this year!)

A spontaneous example - Stepping up to the piano in the Tours, France train station which started memorable conversations with a French music student and an elderly lady - both who loved the Rachmaninov concerto I was playing.

These can certainly also happen when my husband is with me. One example was attending the MITO music event in Torino. We finished the night in a packed piazza, being handed music books to sing all kinds of Italian songs as a huge crowd. Such a fun & memorable night feeling like a local Italian!

Again traveling solo, exploring the tiny steep lanes in Menton, France that I had discovered during research months before and finding them as exciting and beautiful to photograph as I hoped. There’s something wonderful about finding something yourself, dreaming about it, and then actually being there!

I’ve been to Europe 10+ times, so I think there’s extra opportunities to already know which type of activities or being able to stay in less touristy towns tend to spark my extra meaningful experiences. Then the unexpected ones are just icing on the cake!

For me, it’s after a few days somewhere when we get into the groove, aren’t sightseeing but start talking to people, whether we have a common language or not, in their yards, at the market, fairs, celebrations, trade fairs, ceremonies. They show us what they are doing, how something is made, or why they do something. Sometimes it leads to tasty or unexpected cultural discoveries.

I think all travellers have at one time of another spent valuable trip
time doing something because it's one is supposed to do when in
London/Paris/Rome... rather than because we we genuinely wanted to or
enjoyed it.

Good answer, but I want to challenge it. While in Rome, we did the obvious things including a tour of the Vatican. I had and still have little interest in renaissance art and so based on that, I should have moved on and not bothered with the visit. However, what I did discover on my tour is that I have a fascination in the history of religion and especially the corruption at the time that resulted in the reformation. I doubt I'll ever see the beauty in art, but one day I will go back to the Vatican, and will also do the traditional 'touristy' things in Florence, but thanks to that tour that I probably shouldn't have gone on, I have a focus that keeps me interested.

Memorable and meaningful experiences are usually the unplanned and unexpected. Whether it be a place around the corner you stumble across, a conversation you happen to strike up with a shop keeper or a local English speaking native willing to share his or her love of their city or just a meal that was so delicious, you wish you could teleport yourself back there for lunch or dinner. I don't think I have every been able to "seek out" those experiences.

By definition moment is a “ brief period of time.”

I think by nature the majority of us create travel itineraries. Moments may occur and when they do they are, most often, memorable.

Discovering Ireland’s Gap of Dunloe and hiking 1/2 of it, returning to the rental car and driving the rest of it. Gorgeous November day so the shimmering fall colors of red, gold and green added to the moment.
Remains my favorite travel day ever.

Handing out baseball cards to school children in Havana. The joy and appreciation on their faces, a
moment.

Walking into Hagia Sophia, a moment.

Visiting Stonehenge in the 90’s. Just 3 of us there. A moment.

Seeing David on an RS tour, only us and not the hordes, definitely a moment.

In college flying to Europe for the first time. Flew to Amsterdam and looking out the window and saw a Dutch windmill, a moment.

Walking into Notre Dame, a moment.

Exiting Christmas Eve Mass at St Paul’s as bells peeled and a lite snow began to fall. A moment.

Taking my better half to London for his first and only trip there. Exiting Westminster station onto the Thames path by Westminster Bridge and within a minute or two Big Ben chimed. The grin on his face. A moment.

Investigating an upstairs open air restaurant in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Only patron and best lentil
soup I’ve ever eaten. A moment.

Discovering the Sands Film research Library and Cinema club in Rotherhithe. A moment.

Discovering, via a church flyer, London’s Eel Pie Island artists Christmas open studios. A moment.

Driving from Dublin to Belfast in the 90’s and seeing armed British Soldiers in a field. Blockades and barbed wire surrounding Belfast City Hall. Definitely moments.

Watching the Tower Eiffel light up . A moment

Walking from Palestine Hill through the Arch of Titus and seeing the Colosseum. A moment.

Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and watching President Obama’s swearing in. A moment.

As a child hearing “ watch the fire fall, “ and then watching it happen at Yosemite Falls. A moment.

Sitting in Sec 43, Row 21, Seat 14 in Candlestick Park for Game Three of the 1989 World Series when the earthquake hit. A moment.

Here are a few of mine:

Being able to watch the British Parliament in session (Question time) in 1981 and Thatcher's responses.

Entering the amazing Sistine Chapel at St. Peter's, taking in the most wonderful works of art in the World.

Christmas Eve in Bethlehem in the square in front of the Church of the Holy Nativity.

The agony of evil visiting the Auschitz Concentration Camp in Poland.

Visiting the village in SW Wales where my paternal ancestors came from in 1716.

Dining on Chicken Kiev in Kiev

Passing through the Panama Canal

Taking my better half to London for his first and only trip there.
Exiting Westminster station onto the Thames path by Westminster Bridge
and within a minute or two Big Ben chimed. The grin on his face. A
moment.

Jean had a well written comment about special moments while solo travelling, but I have to admit that Claudia's comment about seeing the grin on her better half's face is what inspires most of my memories. I get more charged up when I can share something with my wife or when I saw the look of wonder on my kids faces when they were younger.

"Genuine and meaningful" are those moments that make your heart sing. It might be the satisfaction of finally seeing the sight you dreamed of (Paris), an unexpected delight (being invited into your ancestral Swiss home), the moment you remember with warmth and gratitude (dancing with the locals under the stars to a French accordion), or just plain fun (singing along at Oktoberfest), or the times you come home to see yourself and your life differently.
I'm sure there are many other categories.
I appreciate your philosophical bent, Allan.

Allan, Renaissance painting is not my favorite, either, but looking at Botticelli's Birth of Venus brought a few tears. The painting of her hair was exquisite. It was a meaningful enough moment to have lasted for 48 years.

Jean, I, too, had a small but memorable moment singing like a local. At evensong, in St. Alban's, I was invited into the choir and given the part of "people", to do some of the reading. For a short time, I was a fellow member of that community, not just an onlooker.

I think my most meaningful and valuable experiences have been connecting with locals. My absolute favorite thing about Budapest was our B&B owner who told us stories about growing up under communism while he made us eggs. Or our French waiter who seemed unfriendly but yet chased me down the street a little when he looked something up on his phone to answer a question I had. I love those moments where you learn something about a person or culture and have an interaction that impresses with you. Yes, those WOW moments stick with you (carols at Notre Dame's Christmas Eve service, being surprised in Wengen when the cows marched through the middle of the street, getting invited into the kitchen to watch Knafe being made in Israel) but the personal connections to me are even better!

Oh, and staying at a small hotel or B&B is a very easy way to gain more connections/meaningful eperiences with people when traveling! That doesn't always work for our schedule, but we love it when it does!

looking at Botticelli's Birth of Venus brought a few tears. The
painting of her hair was exquisite. It was a meaningful enough moment
to have lasted for 48 years.

I really do hope I will eventually see a piece of art that way.. I haven't seen it in person, but I read up on Birth of Venus after RS proclaimed it one of his favourites. Then I read about it on the Uffizi website. I'm not getting the adulation. Maybe I'm just stubborn, but I'm not giving up on art yet. I'd love to be able to listen in on other people as they look at a piece of art and talk about it so I can try and see what they're seeing.

Some fond memories in Sicily.

In an off the beaten path pasticceria in Palermo, I ordered a cappuccino and a piece of their famous seven layer chocolate cake, and carried them outside. The only unoccupied table still had cups and plates be cleared. With my hands full, I debated what to do. An elderly man carrying shopping bags walked by. He stopped, assessed my situation, shook his head in disapproval. He then laid down his shopping bags on the ground, cleared the table and took everything into the cafe. I was astounded, and could only repeat "Grazie mille". He smiled, waved his hand, picked up his bags, and went on his merry way.

That seven layer chocolate cake was heavenly delicious. It will remain in my memory, for more reasons than one.

Following the tip from a fellow traveler, I located a working Trapani bakery in an alley, without a sign outside. As I stepped inside, the elderly owner greeted me with a warm smile, in surprisingly good English. While we chatted For 30 minutes, I photographed the wide array of mouth watering pastries being made and on display, the counters with pots and pans, another baker packaging them for orders, and the owner's charming wife sitting in front of an antique oven. To top it off, they offered me free samples before I left. After I returned home, I sent him their photos by WhatsApp, and he thanked me for the pleasant surprise.

On a bus to Ragusa, I chatted with an engineering student Luigi(?). He was returning to Ragusa for a family visit. The bus arrived at the station late at night, and a car full of his family was there to greet him. Before saying good bye, I asked him to call me a taxi for my B&B. He made the call and said the taxi would arrive in five minutes. He wanted to wait with me until the taxi showed up. I objected, but he refused to leave. His mother, the driver, left the car to greet me. Thank goodness the taxi arrived on time. Luigi confirmed the address and the fare with the driver. I thanked them profusely, and his mother pecked me on my cheeks before leaving.

I arrived at the fish market in Catania early in the morning, before the crowds showed up. In a park next to the market, a group of elderly men was playing cards. Their appearances, conversations, and gestures would fit nicely in a Scorsese movie scene. Putting on my best smile, I approached them and asked their permission for some fotos. A guy in a red jacket glanced at me and nodded. As I photographed them, they focused on their cards and ignored me. One guy got off the bench and left. I stepped onto the bench for some aerial shots of the table. Soon the guy returned with his coffee and was quite upset that his seat was taken. Red Jacket came to my rescue and stopped his complaint. I quickly took a few more shots, stepped down, and apologized to the guy. After thanking everyone, I left to tour the fish market.

Allan, not everyone sees or feels art the same. I love to look at art for the subject matter, the historical clothing (one of my 'things'), the play of light and skill, but put me beside a docent and a group of knowledgeable folk talking about symbolism, brush strokes and esoteric meaning and my eyes glaze in seconds. I have never appreciated dissection or art or literature and avoid it like the plague. Knowing more about the art doesn't necessarily mean you will have any more connection to it. If it doesn't move you, then it doesn't move you.
My art history lessons were a high school course via a BC series 'Civilization' by Kenneth Clark. It was history of Europe via art. I can't recall you history interest or knowledge but if you have an interest, perhaps seeing it rather than reading about it may be an approach to take.
Just remember, life is short and don't do sites because someone else says it is a 'must.

Allan, what Maria said.
I would add that I did not convert to loving Renaissance art, I just had one surprising, memorable moment of appreciation of one aspect of one Renaissance painting.

I have never appreciated dissection or art or literature and avoid it
like the plague. Knowing more about the art doesn't necessarily mean
you will have any more connection to it. If it doesn't move you, then
it doesn't move you.

Almost every Sunday as I'm flipping channels I'll stop on Portrait Artist of the Year or Landscape Artist of the year for a few minutes at a time. I'm always interested in seeing the artists start from nothing to the final product. My least favourite part is when the judges judge the paintings and get all...I want to say uppity or snobby but I don't think that's fair, but they do see these paintings on a different level than I care about. In any event, I don't believe I've ever guessed the winner. Liking a painting just because you like it doesn't seem to be part of the equation on that show. Meanwhile I will continue to be stubborn and continue to bang my head against a wall until I find a painting that makes me go wow. I might like Pop Art...but probably not in a genuine meaningful way, just in an amusement way.

Museums on the other hand-the non arty ones; I can spend hours. So many things can create those meaningful experiences. Maybe I'll start a new post about museums...

Yes, do museums! I didn’t want to admit that half of my best travel experiences were in museums. (Other half in restaurants.)