Number 101: In 2009, Deb and I (Yair) lived briefly in Edinburgh, London and Kigali and we travelled to Egypt, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, France, Uganda and Zanzibar. Twelve years on, the experiences remain indelibly etched in our memory.

Three lessons from our travels continue to guide the way we live.

1. Invest in the present.

Having just graduated from our respective degrees, we chose to live for the moment and travel rather than follow convention and start working. Despite the risks and supposed opportunity costs, this decision opened the doors to what would turn out to be an incredibly enriching year.

Life is too unpredictable to put off investing in one’s dreams.

2. Throw out the script.

We were scammed in Egypt, stuck in Athens airport, unable to find meaningful work in Edinburgh or London, sunburnt in Northern Ireland and caught in a lightning storm in Uganda, to name but a few of our misadventures.

Very little transpired as expected, yet in most cases the travails paled in comparison to the rewards we gained from being flexible, optimistic and trusting.

3. See through a local’s eyes.

Living in a place gives us a richer, more authentic experience than simply hopping between landmarks.

In Edinburgh, we ran every day – come rain or snow – and would then highlight the route taken on our map. Our challenge was to keep covering new ground beyond the spires of the Royal Mile and bagpipes on Princes Street. In so doing, we discovered beautiful spots beyond the reach of tourists.

In Kigali, we’d often walk from our flat to Centre Marembo where we were volunteering. In the scorching sun, our route would wind up and down the city’s rolling hills, past local markets and ramshackle houses, to the constant din of motorcycle drivers hooting. Exploring by foot deepened our connection to the city.

At each destination, we were fortunate to have family members, friends and guides show us their way of life and share insights into their hometowns’ cultures and history. This laid the foundation for an unforgettable year of growth and learning.