There are many aspects to amateur radio. A couple of the most important ones are that radio works in emergencies when the phone system, including cell phones, are down. Also, you can, literally, talk to any place in the world, as long as the propagation gods allow and there's someone there on the amateur bands.
I have confirmed contacts with all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. I've never used more than 100 watts of power, and have worked France while mobile with 12 watts on a converted CB (that I built!).
Some hams get into building their own gear, some are big in emergency communications, some like to chase DX, some like to use the amateur satellites or do moonbounce. Some just like to gab.
When you have the time, drift over to www. arrl. org and look around for a while. Licenses no longer require morse code knowledge, study materials are readily available and you usually can take the test at your local ham club.