I think to truly "travel" you need to get a taste of what regular life is like in an area and not just take in the sites. Getting to know people from all over makes you realize what humanity is underneath all its differences and is a plain fun way to become a better human :)

Favorite Music: Radiohead, Beatles, Bill Evans, Erik Satie and Debussy (I'm a classical dork), Alt-jay, Tom waits, Elliot Smith, Alabama Shakes, Keith Jarret, stevie wonder.... Books: Tao of Abundance, Buddahs Brain, Jack Kerouac, Dr. Suess! Kurt Vonnegut, Harry Potter!