I came late to the travel party. Growing up we rarely had the opportunity to take family holidays, and a few nights under canvas, a daytrip here or there, or a good day on the hill, was the most we could muster. One driving holiday up from Germany to Denmark, and a couple of school music trips, were the only true 'travel' I'd done until I reached university age. I was lucky enough to live in another country for several years though, so my wandering heart did some cracking exploring while there.
While studying money was short and I worked through my holidays, so while I travelled more (jaunts to the west coast of Scotland, trips to see friends studying elsewhere), I didn't travel very far.
Once I was teaching, however, I caught the travel bug, hard. I still remember the first time I bought a cheap and cheerful Easyjet flight over to Europe. Or the first time I went to the US. Or the first time I stayed in a proper hotel (at the grand old age of 21. I was far too excited by plush beds, tiny toiletries, and the sheer idea of room service!). Since then I've seen so many amazing things, been to some amazing places, and experienced some true wonders. And I'm so grateful, you guys.
I love travelling so much now that I rarely think about the downsides, the worries and the fears, but that's exactly what this month's travel link up is asking us to write about. And when I sat down and thought about it, I was able to come up with a few 'fears' that I have when I'm travelling.
Weather. Specifically, warm weather!
I am a heat and humidity wuss. I get stressed. I can't sleep. I get sunstroke and heatstroke at the drop of a hat (even if I am, in fact, wearing a hat). I am so prone to feeling poorly in the heat that Matthew actually had to postpone his proposal by 24 hours when too much time in the sun rendered me headachey, dehydrated and confined to bed.
Generally I'm now a master of selecting destinations where I know I can handle the climate, but it means some places I may well never see, and that sometimes my enjoying a destination fully can be a bit of a gamble! Cold or moderate climates I can boss though, and aircon, shade and swimming pools help a lot in warmer places.
Clumsiness. I fall over/bump myself a lot.
Gravity and I work well together for the most part, but sometimes we fall out and I trip / slip / fall / get an attack of the Bambi legs. I'm always worried that I'll come a cropper on holiday and be hobbling around for days (we love to walk a lot on breaks) .
Being late, or being disorganised.
I am, by nature, a worrier. I doublecheck things, set several alarms, live by my Google Calendar. Every night I have a long and well-honed routine of checks and doublechecks before I go to bed, and that's just in my own environment. When travelling these anxieties can really rise to the surface, and I've lost count of the restless nights of sleep I've had prior to heading off on a holiday! There's also a lot of checking of bags, money, passport too, and lists, lists everywhere.
When it comes to getting to the airport or train station, I am perpetually early. Luckily Matthew, my main partner in travelling crime, is an early bird too so we have our routine down pat. However, when travelling with others it can be high-stress - I remember pelting through an airport in Spain after a girls' trip as my three work friends tried to continue shopping while they were 'last call'ing our flight. Made my blood pressure go sky high!
So those were the only fears I could muster, which in the ocean of goodness that is travel equals about a teacup, right? Travel brings such joy, a few worries and wobbles are definitely worth it. I've only been back from holidays for a week and I'm already looking at flights longingly (even if my credit card isn't, ha!).
Looking forward to reading the other posts on this theme! Linking up with the lovely #TravelLinkUp gang :)
