Why I Travel: Languages, Lenses, and Life in Uniform
- Ben
- May 18
- 2 min read
Hey! — I’m Ben. I’m a photographer, a language nerd, and a Soldier. This blog is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time — a space where I can bring together the things I care most about: travel, storytelling, culture, and connection.
I’ve been lucky to see parts of the world that most people never do. Some of those places came with a uniform and a mission; others with a backpack and a camera. But what ties it all together is the way travel opens you up — to new people, new ideas, and parts of yourself you didn’t know were there.
An Explorer’s Mindset
The Army didn’t just send me places — it changed the way I experience them. I’ve learned to move with purpose, adapt quickly, and read the atmosphere in a new place the way some people read a weather report.
It also taught me that there’s no such thing as “just passing through.” Whether you’re deployed, road-tripping, or crashing in a city for 48 hours, you leave a footprint. That’s something I try to be mindful of — and it’s part of what drives this blog.
Language Is a Passport
I study languages because I believe they’re the real key to travel — not plane tickets. Language cracks open culture. It breaks down the wall between “visitor” and “participant.” Whether I’m speaking Chinese or French (or stumbling through something else entirely), every phrase I learn is a handshake, a smile, a chance to connect.
That’s why linguistics is part of what I’ll be writing about here: how language learning fits into a travel lifestyle, how to survive awkward translation moments, and how to use language to go deeper wherever you go.
Through the Lens
I picked up a camera because I wanted to capture life the way I see it — and then I realized I wanted to share it, too.
Photography lets me freeze moments that words can’t always explain. A glance in a market. A cloudbank rolling over a ridgeline. A laugh between strangers. My goal isn’t to just take pretty pictures — it’s to show people what these places feel like.
I’ll be posting photo essays, travel guides, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I shoot and edit along the way.
What to Expect from Travel with Ben
This blog is a mix of stories, photos, travel tips, cultural reflections, and linguistic exploration. I’ll be sharing new posts as I travel, study, and shoot — and hopefully building a community of people who are curious, open, and always chasing their next adventure.
Whether you’re here for the photos, the places, the language, or just to see what I get myself into — I’m glad you’re here. Welcome to Travel with Ben.
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