I really don’t like traveling. As I think about the 8,092,480-hour plane ride I’ll be enduring on my way to Australia at the end of this month, I find myself wincing and wanting only to arrive. I wish I could just drag my bed and my blankie on board and sleep tight through it all. It is not fun, this travel thing. Not the act of traveling itself but its end result is what I truly love. This end result is what I think all travelers are talking about when we say “I love to travel.”
Travel by plane can be the worst of the ways of getting there. We arrive at the airport in an exhausted panic, hand our belongings over to people whom we know might steal them, take off our clothes, and later squish into airplane seats suitable for holding small stuffed animals, not adult humans. Surely no one takes delight in the process of traveling by plane. Or by bus. Or by most other means. We endure it only because we want the destination that lies at the end.
Sometimes, of course, the journey itself is a part of the joy of travel. The very process of traveling by car and witnessing every inch of the scenery is a huge part of what road tripping is all about. Ferry trips are a blast, surrounded by fresh air, deep ocean water, and the sights of the sea. Bicycle touring, whether for a few hours or several weeks, means not just getting there but enjoying the vistas along the route. On a cruise, the mode of travel is frequently more exciting than the destinations themselves. If it’s not part of your daily life, even travel by train can be an exciting joy, with the views of the world blurring by your window.
Never do I want any journey to last for very long, though. I want to be there already. This is one of the reasons that I don’t travel very often and, once I arrive somewhere, stay as long as my life will let me. I love to experience the world. Unfortunately, traveling is necessary in order to do this. Perhaps some day I’ll grow to love sitting crammed on mass transit for hours that pile into days. For now, though, I’ll close my eyes and pretend like I’m already where I’m going.
What about you? Do you actually enjoy the process of traveling? Or is exploring your destination the only aspect of travel that you love?
Thumbnail crowded airport photo by lunchtimemama
Stuffed animal in airplane seat photo by Lovely Lemur
I absolutely adore the process of traveling. I am a strong believer that the journey is often just as awesome as the destination. I don’t take the train for the speed, that’s for sure.
I also love long car rides. There’s something about having no choice but to sit back, relax and just chill that is very appealing to me. It’s often the only time I get to really catch up on my reading too.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:18
I love it too, when it’s lovable. But sometimes it’s such a grind. At least the trip is always worth it.
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I am a big fan of slow journeys when there is someone worthwhile talking to. Did 22 hours from Croatia home last summer and had a blast talking to the Aussie couple in my compartment.
On the flip side if my travel mates aren’t talkative and I’m out of stuff to think about, then yeah I’d rather just be there.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:20
That’s a good point. Good conversation can make some things enjoyable.
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I generally enjoy traveling but I do hate long flights, the longest I’ve been on is 8 hours which I know isn’t that long but it wasn’t too enjoyable. I also love driving and road trips, even 20 hours in a car seems completely doable to me. The thing I hate the most is waiting, when your stuck in an airport with nothing to do for 5 hours cause the flight you were supposed to be on got rerouted somewhere else. It’s inevitable and sometimes a good thing (if there’s mechanical problems and the like, better safe than sorry), but it’s still not fun.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:21
Yes, the waiting is definitely one of the negatives of air travel. But 20 hours in a car – I think I’d rather fly.
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I’m always fascinated at airports. I’ve been in many of them, but I’m still always wide-eyed and on the edge of my seat because it’s such a high-energy place, and I’m also always blown away by how routine the airport seems to be for everyone else.
it’s a love hate relationship…but if I could get somewhere instantly, say via teleportation, I’d be all over that.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:23
It’s true. I hadn’t thought of that. They are high-energy places. I never pay too much attention, though. I just read or get on my computer to make the time go faster. Being wide eyed is a great thing, and one of the best aspects of travel.
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I just take along enough to keep me occupied, and sit tight til I arrive. I also can’t help but sleep on airplanes.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:24
I’m really glad I can sleep on planes too. People who can’t – oh, they must really dislike air travel.
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Over 8 Million hours flight to Australia! What are you takin’, Folded Paper Airlines? Love this, stuffed animals and all. They outlawed waterboarding. Why can’t they outlaw the tortures of air travel?
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:24
Yes, over 8 million hours. I can’t believe it either.
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When I lived in Canada most of my air travel was for business. Air travel back in the 80s and 90s was much more civilized than it is today. I used to carry a huge bags of books that weighed a ton (I worked for a publisher), but no one ever batted an eye and there was no extra baggage travel. Airport security was stress free, and the list goes on. Then came Sept 11th and everything has changed.
Now when I travel by air I just want to be there.
Road journeys are another matter. I love traveling by train and bus. I’ve taken many 20 plus bus rides. I felt rough at the end of the journey, but now look back with fond memories.
I am with you on traveling slow. I would rather visit a couple of places and stay awhile, then try to cram in everything and experience very little.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 09:26
Hi, Nancie. I think train travel is pretty comfortable, as long as you’re not too crammed in. I’ve been on a few pretty short bus rides, though and – well, at least they’re cheap.
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As much as I love the act of flying, I’m with you–I’d rather just get there. A long train journey wouldn’t be bad if I had a sleeper car, and a long car trip is only tolerable with a good companion. But I’d be very happy if someone were to invent the transporter, ala Star Trek. Beam to Australia, Scotty!
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 21:02
I’d love to just be able to blip back and forth any place at any time. But then, making travel so easy like that might take a lot of the excitement out of it. Perhaps enduring the journey makes us appreciate the destination all the more.
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no, i HATE the process of traveling. but i always say i love traveling without giving much thought to what I am saying. So truthfully, i guess you could say i hate it. you are correct, it’s the destination that awaits at the end that makes it all worth it. for me though, the return trip home is always far less tolerable than the trip there. flying home from vegas just a few days ago on an all-night flight had me cursing my life and wishing i had just stayed home. of course, that was just the delirium and fatigue radiating from my body, but those were my thoughts at 4 AM!
http://www.travelfunnytravellight.blogspot.com
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Sabina Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 13:04
Haha – I think a lot of people say they love traveling without giving much thought to what they’re saying. Most people must hate it. And yes, return trips home are way worse than the flight out
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Misery tags along even on vacation. I hate traveling on the plane. However, what I do is to strike a good conversation with the one next to me to kill boredom.
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Sabina Reply:
August 11th, 2011 at 13:04
Hi Margareth – That is a good idea. I never do it, but it’s a good idea.
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