Travel is not for the faint of heart, at least not this much travel. I’m currently at 38,000 feet flying to Hong Kong after spending a week in Australia and New Zealand. I get why people pay the big bucks for business class tickets (not that I did) because you arrive, typically, more refreshed. I just accidentally slept for 4-5 hours, nearly half the flight, and hopefully won’t be fighting jet lag tonight because of it. Orrrrrrrr I’ll be wide awake tonight and a zombie during my food tour tomorrow morning.
Side note: people are more demanding in business class. I just watched some guy yell, “Socks, socks!†at a flight attendant as if it would make or break his ability to enjoy himself before the flight took off.
Australia and New Zealand were wonderful. I can’t wait to share my experiences I had there with my friends. Girl time is necessary and currently, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Having us meet half-way around the world jet setting was the cherry on top. These gals are expert travelers too, so it makes it a cake walk most of the time.
So, my thoughts as I’m about to land in an unknown city, that doesn’t speak my language?
Besides being excited, I’ll be honest that I’m freaking out a bit. I worry about stupid things like not being able to make a call (What’s the Hong Kong country code? Should have looked that up.) or getting so lost that it’s obvious and someone takes advantage of how lost I look by suckering me into a scheme. Or today, in New Zealand, I had to have my picture taken twice through security because the computer didn’t recognize me (based on my passport photo from 6 years ago) so I’m assuming having my hair up was a bad choice. What if the same happens when I land in Hong Kong and they think I’m crazy for wanting my hair in a bun???
When you travel alone, there isn’t someone there to wake you up out of a champagne-induced haze when the flight lands. There isn’t someone waiting with you through immigration to make sure you get through. There isn’t someone there to consult (fight) with over directions to getting to where you want to go. Everything is up to you, you know?
On the other hand, everything is up to you…
I can wake up when I want. I can decide to putz around a pool all day or go shopping for Christmas gifts. I can meditate in the park or grab a drink at a bar. I have to focus on those aspect right now in my current freak-out mode. As my dear friend whom I just traveled with said, “Sometimes you just have to force yourself out of the hotel and make yourself find a new comfort zone. You’ll be okay. And if you aren’t, you can drink a bottle of wine in your hotel room.†Can you see why we’re friends?
I may be confident enough in myself to travel alone, but it certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t fears that pop in. I think that’s a normal part of the process. Just got to keep it real for you guys. It’s not all perfectly wonderful feelings.
I’m going to take a picture of me with the view from the hotel and place it here once I arrive. Then you won’t feel so sorry for me.
Until next time, friends.