I traveled to Russia at the age of only 14 years old. The school had offered the trip, and after eagerly discussing it with my parents I signed up. Well, ten days later and 15 pounds heavier I hated it just as much as the first day I arrived. Something to note, however, is this was in no way in fault of the country or the people, but rather my own. Russia left me with the toughest lesson anyone can learn: if you can afford to travel, have the time to travel, and want to travel, does not mean you should travel. Though everything lined up perfectly in my travels to Russia, the one thing that couldn't keep up was my mind. To travel, you must have a desire, a craving to explore. You want to be able to dream about what sounds, taste, and touch you will experience; not solely the sights you will see. I for one was not. I wanted to go to Russia because it was offered because it seemed like a good experience. 

Unfortunately, it took me until after my illness to have an appreciation for life. It took me thinking I would be bed rested the rest of my life to realize how much of the world I have missed. Now I hope it doesn't take getting sick for you to get to the point of being able to travel, but I encourage to dig deeper within yourself to find what traveling truly means to you. My one advice to leave you with is: don't just travel because you can. You will miss a lot to live that way.