By Felwa Alhudaithy

We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.  -Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin

I remember reading this quote for the very first time in high school. I felt that my journey, wherever it may lead me, would always be a part of a bigger picture. Whenever I feel a rut coming, I urge myself to seek new lands, to meet new people, to hear their stories, to explore their wisdom, if only to widen my horizons, if only to have fun.

There was a time not long ago when travel was considered a luxury, a time when people took it to heart to wear their best, to introduce themselves by what they bring from far off places. It would be an adventure in itself to travel like Elizabeth Taylor during the Burton years.

It would be joyful to jet set with huge trunks of Louis Vuitton, to go to the Far East and bring green tea. It would be marvelous to be a character in one of Agatha Christie’s novels and spend winters in Egypt exploring the city, buying every miniature pharaoh in sight.

Touring new lands is an integral part of growing up. It makes the man, it makes the woman and it even makes the child.

I was recently blessed to visit Tokyo. I have to admit that I’m fresh off the holiday wagon, but even through the sleep-deprived holiday blues, I’m content in my pursuit of happiness.

Although walking through the Sakura filled parks of Japan was a vision from a dream I’ve had for as long as I remember, it was eating sushi from the most adorable chefs that got me weak in the stomach.

Don’t be afraid to rub shoulders with locals. Get them talking, listen to their stories, be part of the hustle and bustle. Walk through old mansions, touch the walls of nations that came before us, breathe in the culture. It’s just like tapping into a live time machine.

My Advice

• Don’t forget to charge your camera; you’ll want to document life as it happens. Try a Polaroid for a vintage outlook of your trip and instant gratification.
• Dress like your favorite screen vixen. Brigitte Bardot’s style in “A Very Private Affair” sums up my aspirations as a chic tourist. A basket bag, kitten heels and high-waist pants, you’ll look like a 60s postcards and you’ll feel like a million dollar baby.
• Try the local street food.
• Skip the malls and walk into concept stores that stock local designers. Invest in that one item that will tell the story of the city, the timeless item, a living embodiment of your trip.
• The classic Luxe pocket size city guides series is a must for discovering a few spots from the fashion insider’s checklist.
• Sometimes all you need is to disappear and abandon technology and the chaos of modern city life. Whether your skiing in the Alps or cruising the Mediterranean for some sunshine, turn off your phone and live the moment.