The mom and the girl I met in the alley responded with big smiles on their faces

Mother and girl with big smiles on their faces

Whenever I tell people that I love traveling abroad, their response is almost always the same:

"Oh, so you must be fluent in English!"

But that’s a huge misconception.

Sure, I can handle the essentials—booking hotels, ordering at restaurants, navigating airports—without much trouble. But when it comes to business-level English or deep conversations, my vocabulary falls short. Besides, English isn’t universally spoken, nor is everyone fluent in it.

And yet, I travel with ease.

Because communication is more than just language.

If I walk into a hotel with a backpack, the receptionist instantly knows I need a room. If I enter a restaurant, the staff can tell I’m here to eat. Even without words, gestures, expressions, and context bridge the gap.

Facial expressions are universal. A smile says "I'm happy." A frown says "Something’s wrong." You don’t need to speak the local language to connect with people—sometimes, a simple shared smile is enough.

I don’t speak Hindi or Marathi, the languages of Mumbai. But that hasn’t stopped me from making connections, just like in this photo—a shared laugh, a genuine moment of understanding.

And that’s why I love traveling. Because beyond language, human connection is what truly matters.

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