(sigh) I just want to travel. Like, permanently. Or at least whenever I had the itch to travel. Why are there jobs? And rent? And bills? And adulting? Like, whyyyy?
I started the year with a maaajor travel itch. I went from clocking about 20,000 air + land miles to a measly 5,000 miles the year after. And that was just unacceptable.
Both of my parents were born outside of North America (fun fact!) so growing up, I was that inquisitive little girl who wanted to know more about their childhoods, the transition to the United States and the differences between life here and life there. My mom would share stories from her little town in the UK and my dad would tell me all about his school days in Australia. They both traveled well into adulthood, exploring parts of Europe and serving our country in the Navy. And unknowingly, they were responsible for planting these little seeds of curiosity. Curiosity of a world – a BIG, BIG world – that was waiting to be explored.
I was four years old when I took my first flights – one to Miami and one to England. Lucky kid. I started out big. And while I don’t remember the specifics of the travel – the likely frustrations in the airport, delayed flights and in-climate weather, I do remember small things about the experiences – things unlike what I was used to at home. I craved more of that. More of the new. More of the different. I’ve been fortunate to travel to many places, each bringing new insight and appreciation to my worldly experience and as I begin to embark on a big year in travel – well, bigger than last year – I’m sharing the top 3 top travel tips I live by when conquering more of that BIG, BIG world:
TRAVEL #GOALDIGGER
Be one. Throw travel on that vision board. Make it a resolution at the start of a new year. Be intentional in seeking out new places. At the top of every year, I have many goals and challenges but the one constant goal each year: Visit 2 new places. I’m from San Diego, California. A new place for me could be Dana Point, California. It’s a town about 90 minutes away that I frequently pass through but have never explored. A new place for me could also be Cape Town, South Africa. And c’mon, an international destination will always top something around the corner, but don’t be discouraged if you’re not hopping on a 10+ hour flight. There is so much world to be uncovered right in front of you. In staying aligned with my word of the year (Cultivate), I wanted to incorporate more travel into these next few months. More experience. More culture. And more importantly, more stories. Lord willing, I’ll be visiting Austin, Texas, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and various cities in the Northern half of England for my VERY FIRST TIME this year!
TAKE IN THE EXPERIENCE
Ya know that well-rounded airport experience that everyone loves – the last minute packing, long airport lines, delayed flights, uncomfortable seats, smelly seat mates, crying babies, ultimate bladder control issues, lost luggage, boarding in layers and landing somewhere tropical and humid (or vice versa). Ya know, that glorious life that somehow never makes it onto the IG highlight reel? That. Take all of that in. Traveling is exhausting, expensive, annoying, I get it. But somewhere in there, there’s joy. I’m not perfect – I’ve been frustrated a time or ten. It’s natural. But have you ever just sat in the airport and soaked in the experience? I often sit in airport terminals – because, ya know, I’m definitely one of those get there 2+ hours early kinda gals – and I just watch people. Not in a creepy “that girl is staring at me” way. I just watch in amazement. Where are all of these people coming from? Where are they going? Why are they traveling? For pleasure or pain, for family or for business? How many hours have they been on this journey? What are they listening to in their headphones? I think about all of the madness that happens in my little two-hour window and I think about how that happens for 24 hours and in thousands of airports worldwide. Pastor Robert Madu says travel, and airports in particular, test the Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). I believe it. For me though, travel is an escape. As cliche as it sounds, travel is a disconnect from this cushy, cozy life around me. This life filled with chaos, with plans, with structure, and with necessity. For me, travel has become self-care.
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL
I lived in Las Vegas for about four years. And like clockwork, almost every time I share that with someone, I get asked the same question: “wow, you must have partied all the time, huh?” I give off the same blank stare today that I have for the five years I’ve been back in San Diego. The look gives off a resounding NO. “Do you spend your free time in the touristy parts of your city?” That, too, is usually met with a no. And so the story goes. As a city local, there are sweet spots in and around the city that you enjoy. Spots that are unknown to a visitor. Spots that house such genuine connection among the “regulars.” And paired with the typical tourist must-sees, that is what I crave. An insider’s guide to the city. I want to know where the locals go. How do the residents spend their days? What their favorite food places are. Where the local hangs are. The music spots. What type of vibe exists outside of the metropolitan areas. It’s not often found on a Google search, but thank you, Instagram. I have become a professional hashtag scroller.
Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing more my planning process for #EurMOtrip19. With the entire family going, I’m certain there are plenty of stories and tips to be shared. In fact, I have a few popping up as I type this.
Until then, I’d love to hear from you! Share your travel stories (amazing memories & horror stories, too!) below and pass along any tips and must-see sights to add to the list! Where are you headed this year?
