There’s a feeling that hits me every time I travel that reminds me why I travel.

It happens early in the trip, usually within a few hours of landing at the airport.

You see, I love the jolt I receive when I first click “BOOK” on a flight to an uncharted destination. I swell with anticipation and wish I could pack my bags and depart that minute. But then I return to real life, focus on my many responsibilities at home, and struggle to regenerate that jolt of excitement. During the days leading up to a vacation, I rarely get the chance to think about it because I must complete a bunch of last-minute errands. Even when I get on the plane and land in a new city, I feel eager but also sluggish from the long flight.

Then I escape the airport and head to wherever I’m going, and soon I arrive upon some spot — a vista, building, monument, or special site – that freezes me with its power and beauty. I stop mid-conversation or mid-thought to savor the moment, and I instantly think (sometimes out loud): “Wow … this is cool. This is why I wanted to come here.”

It happened again Sunday, roughly two hours into my current travel experience: a three-week trip to cover the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I remember the passion I felt when I first learned of this assignment. I had covered the Olympics twice before, and I fully understood the rarity and opportunity of being chosen. But in the months that followed, I read little but bad news about the 2016 Games. I heard the worries from numerous friends, family, and colleagues. As the trip drew nearer, most asked me the same question:

“Are you excited … or are you nervous?”

I was both. Even as the trip grew near, I could only manage a certain level of excitement. I needed to take care of far too many pre-trip chores – both inside and outside of the newsroom – and had yet to truly picture Rio in my mind. What scenery would I see? How would the sky look? What landmarks would dazzle me? Even when I did view the occasional photo, I simply saw a thumbnail of how it all would likely appear in person.

Then I got here. My co-worker Blayne Alexander and I landed after a red-eye flight and made our way through Customs. We took a bus to our hotel, dropped off our things, and hailed a new bus to head to the Olympics’ international broadcast center. Then we started moving.

And the scenery took over.

Within minutes we were graced with the sights of Baja Beach, featuring some of the highest waves I can remember. We spotted peaks in the distance and a vibrant waterside culture in front of us.

It was captivating.

And as I always do, I thought to myself, and then out loud, “Wow … this is cool.”

The rest of Day 1 brought similar captivating vistas, including at the Olympic Park itself. I watched and shot video of a picturesque sunset behind the mountains overlooking the park. I noted the palm trees and generally tropical feeling that exuded from the city’s streets.

As our first day ends – and as I fall asleep at my keyboard typing this blog post – I remain both excited and nervous. I have read enough articles and received enough warnings to be both cautious for my safety and concerned for the overall well-being of the Games. Rio has experienced major issues in the lead-up to these Olympics; reporters and spectators will be watching with anxious eyes as to whether those issues crop up over the next few weeks.

For now, though, I am left with some surface impressions of Rio.

And on the surface, Rio can be stunning.

Matt Pearl is the author of the Telling the Story blog and podcast. Feel free to comment below or e-mail Matt at matt@tellingthestoryblog.com.