Growing up, I had many opportunities provided for me to travel. It was instilled in my brain, that if you don’t travel outside your comfortable range, no growth would happen in your life.
For the past five years, I have gone to visit my family in San Francisco, California, during spring break or in the summertime. As a Florida girl, California has its sunny similarities, but noticeable differences.
California has character. How is it reasonable for my godmother to tell me to pack a week’s worth of clothes for the snow and the beach? Living in proximity to both types of climates is unimaginable and amazing to a Floridian. Our only two climates are either rain or sunshine. And even in the sunshine, you can still expect rain.
California has standards. In a little town called Castro Valley, California, the people there promote local restaurants and detract from chain corporations. It took awhile before they got their first Starbucks within city limits. I think that is an amazing characteristic to have in a city. In Florida, there’s a McDonalds or Burger King on every corner. What kind of standards does that send forth?
California is aesthetic. Yes, Florida has some of the nicest beaches and springs in the world, but nothing compares to California’s beaches, wine country, hills and mountains. When I land in California, I anticipate driving on the highway just for being able to see the hills. The scenery is so serene and breathtaking. While I’m there I feel so stress free and calm.
Sometimes you don’t discover yourself until you discover new things. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Traveling to California has broadened my horizons and made me feel as though I belong.