The first time I heard it, I was surprised. Why all the whistling? Why all the whooping? Why all the loud cheering?

I was laying on the beach in Salvador and everyone was doing all of the above actions…except for me. With my back against my Brazilian flag kanga (sarong), I turned my head to the left to ask my friend what was going on. They’re cheering for the sunset he told me.

Ohhhhh…you mean THAT…beautiful…sunset. The one that God stops everything else that he’s doing and wanders over to Salvador to orchestrate everyday? That’s what they’re cheering for?

I can totally get into this. I’ve always been fascinated with the small things in life and they give me my greatest pleasures.  This sunset cheering thingy gave me another reason to love Brazil. Too often, people focus on the big things in world, but forget to take time to smell the roses (very cliche…well aware…but I happen to really like roses…and the way they smell…and…I’m getting off track).

I’ve made this small reason thing a big part of my travel philosophy. And I think it’s something people can learn from. Start by disregarding the idea that you have to have a “real” reason for going somewhere or doing something. It’s ok to let the smallest things guide you and to have no real plan.

Here are just a few of the top places that I want to go to and my reasons.

Morocco: Drink mint tea

Cuba: See old cars and guzzle mojitos

Lisbon: Wander around alleys

Brazil: Become fluent in Portuguese (and cheer for the sunset)

Italy: See Italian men

Tanzania: See the sunset behind an acacia tree

Mozambique: Taste if the caipirinhas are just as good as Brazil’s

So, where do you want to go and why?

Related posts:

1. Eat, Pray, Love Pt. II
2. Sunset
3. Yes, I’m Single…And I Enjoy It