What Travel Really Means

People, Places, and Perspective

This post is a continuation of The Origins of No Limit Ideas, where I shared a bit about the values behind this project. Now, I want to give you a concrete example to help illustrate what I mean when I talk about curiosity, depth, and the desire to challenge assumptions.

More than places—it’s always been about people.

Beyond the photos, the passports, and the places we check off our list, travel can be something much deeper. For some of us, it’s a way to learn, to unlearn, and to reconnect—with people, with stories, and with ways of life that challenge our own assumptions.

This next post is a personal example of that. It’s about curiosity, perspective, and the importance of not judging a place—or its people—through a limited lens.

Let me tell you a story…

People Over Politics: A Personal Reflection on Travel and Perspective

Let me give you a concrete example to help illustrate what I’m trying to share with you in this new chapter.

There was a period when I became really invested in trying to better understand countries in the Middle East—without prejudging them. I started asking myself things like: What kind of relationship do the citizens of a given country have with their governments? None, really—right?

My perspective is that when you travel, you’re connecting with people and places—not endorsing governments or political systems. Would you agree? So, let’s apply that same reasoning and stop making assumptions based on clichés. The people of Cuba or Saudi Arabia, just to name two examples, are not to blame for the political or social situations in their countries.

To approach the Middle East with this mindset is almost like doing a master’s degree—no two countries are the same, and the region is massive, with a whole range of unique dynamics. Honestly, I’m still in first year. I’m a complete beginner when it comes to this area specifically. That’s why, for now, you’ll hardly see anything about this part of the world on my Instagram.

But in my life, I’ve always had this need to dig deep and learn from the best. A little irony here: my WhatsApp status has carried the same quote from Oscar Wilde for years now—
“I have the simplest tastes. I’m always satisfied with the best.”

Staying with this same example, I’d like to pause and take a moment to thank Eva from Solidarios Sin Fronteras. For the endless conversations, and for how much I’ve learned both with her and through her about the reality of Yemen—a conflict that’s been almost entirely silenced by the media and is now entering its eighth year.

And also Saddam, a Yemeni from Sana’a—a city that’s been continuously inhabited for over 2,500 years and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through countless conversations, he has shared so much about his customs, his culture, Islam, his hometown, his way of life, and the profound impact the war has had on the lives of Yemen’s kind and resilient people.

If you’re curious to learn more about Yemen—and about Socotra, that dreamlike island paradise—you can take a look here.

Sana’a through Saddam’s Eyes

These photos were taken in Sana’a, Yemen, by Saddam Hattami, just for me—because he knows how much I’m fascinated by this place, and in particular, by these two buildings.

Sana’a, as a whole, is like a fantasy. Sadly, it’s not currently possible to visit, as its airport remains closed due to the ongoing war, and no government recommends travel to Yemen.

The first two photos show the facade of Hotel Burj Al Salam, which is no longer operating as a hotel but is still open as a café, with a rooftop offering spectacular views over the city. The third image is of the Sana’a Heritage House.

Why I’m Talking About Saddam

Let me tell you more about Saddam. If you keep reading, you’ll understand why I’m sharing his story here as a powerful example.

In this post, you’ll find a video of Sana’a that he created—one I absolutely love. I’ve always encouraged people to consider hiring him for remote work as a way to support someone with huge talent stuck in an impossible situation. And even though it might have sounded a little far-fetched back then, life sometimes surprises you.

Because the truth is… Saddam is no longer in Yemen. He managed to leave the country and is now living in Canada. He had to leave behind a lot—family, friends, a life interrupted. The bittersweet story of so many forced to flee countries at war, chasing safety and a future far from home.

In this other post, I wrote about a moment when a warplane flew over his house in Sana’a as we were talking. And in this one, I shared a bit more about him.

Saddam has an incredible eye—his videos and photos are amazing. He has so much potential, a big heart, a unique sensitivity… and a life that’s been deeply marked by war. So here’s a public thank you, Saddam, from this tiny window to the world: thank you for helping me keep things in perspective and for reminding me how small our “problems” often are in the so-called first world. Thank you for sharing so much about your culture and daily life in endless hours of conversation. We’ve basically done an unpaid master’s in English fluency together—practice-based, the way it should be.

The Bigger Picture: Learning Through People

After this small detour into the Middle East, let’s circle back to the broader theme of this post. When it comes to travel, I’m also really drawn to people who are committed to local, sustainable tourism—especially the kind that focuses on cultural immersion and connecting with traditions and ways of life that are different from our own.

And as you’ve probably figured out by now, I care deeply about human connections with locals—because they’re the ones who will truly teach you something, and the ones who’ll help you experience a place in a meaningful way.

Sure, I can read articles like this one from 2013 or this one from 2012 about the social issues related to qat consumption in Yemen. But the person who’s really helped me grasp the full magnitude of the problem, and who’s explained to me what a Tairaman is—or the ritual surrounding this common room in traditional Yemeni architecture—is someone like Saddam.

Without locals, there are no secrets—and no real paradise—in any destination. Keep that in mind if what you’re seeking is true travel, and not just skimming the surface or ticking places off a list.

In the end, travel isn’t about ticking places off a list. It’s about curiosity, empathy, and the people who shape your journey in ways you never expected. It’s about learning directly from those who live realities far removed from yours. And it’s about acknowledging that without locals, there are no real secrets—no true paradise.

That’s what I’m really chasing when I travel. And I hope it’s what you’re chasing too.
Stay tuned—there’s more to come.

More Travel Inspiration & Unique Stays

Looking for more inspiration?

Find more travel inspiration here

For a curated selection of unique places to stay around the world, start here—use the filters in the top menu to browse by country or region and find your favorite.