By: Jennel Brooks Lucatelli
One of my earliest memories was a vision I had as a little girl. I used to see myself going to another country alone and learning how to adjust and learn a language. This may sound scary to some, but to me it was thrilling, risky, bold and seemed to be the greatest adventure ever. Little did I know, God was giving me a sneak peek into my future. By the age of 25, I had done most of the things I wanted to do, and life was bringing me to a new crossroad. I started having a strong desire to see the world. My best friend Ubah who had moved to the states from Sweden was also a strong influence at this pivotal chapter in my life. We grew up on different continents, but had so much in common. I began to think about how many other people and cultures I could meet and possibly bond with. I had lived and experienced working and doing what I thought was my “dream job”, yet there was still a void. So, because I was single and an adult, free to do whatever I wanted, I decided to commit to traveling out of the U.S. at least once a year. I sacrificed shopping like so many of my friends did, and only bought things as needed. I forfeited buying the latest and greatest technologies. I told myself I would spend my money on travel; and that’s just what I did.
Every year I went somewhere new. The first place was Mexico, then the Bahamas, then my European adventures began. What these experience taught me was that for one, I wasn’t alone.
So many others were already living this reality at such a young age. Second, I realized life was not what I thought it was (from the average perspective of an American) and third, it became clear how blessed I was to live in America and how many opportunities and freedoms I had just from being born in The U.S. I had also learned to overcome any self-consciousness and any remnants of shyness. There was no wiggle room. I had to speak to strangers, I had to ask for help, and to use my hands with any other tools I had to communicate when I didn’t have the words. I learned how amazing, giving, compassionate and welcoming complete strangers can be from all nationalities and walks of life. I learned how we all have so many things in common even when living in different worlds.
One thing that was not only surprising, but also humbling was how cultured we are from our own counties. Our outlooks are so small. Those things we don’t even think twice about are a direct reflection of where we were raised. I assumed everyone did everyday life the way we Americans do. This was so far from the truth.
Some things I admire about the American life. A lot of things I don’t. What I now understand is that we can create the life we want. Travel has broadened my perspective and has shown me all the possibilities and ideas I can make my own. Now that I’m married with a family of my own, I try and bring all those aspects into my home. I consider my family multi-cultured. Not only because my husband is Italian and I’m American now living in Florence Italy, but also because I’ve taken little pieces of my travels and made them my own. I’ve also changed the way I see life as an American. I don’t believe in living to work. I work to support my family and have a comfortable life, but the culture I’m now living in has taught me the true meaning of La Dolce Vita, and IT IS so sweet. Italians are into living just as much as they are into eating! My son is already traveling from country to country, and I will encourage him to continue when he’s an adult and to appreciate the different philosophies the world has to offer and to take the pure and the good from each experience.
I still have lots of the world to see and lots to learn, but I will do so with an open heart and open mind. I will adopt the things that are lovely, healthy, wise and productive from all the people and experiences I have yet to come.
