Travelogue

Friday, 16 December 2011 07:06

While I was away on a trip for a couple of weeks, I had to deal with a somewhat difficult person traveling with me…which put me in a mood where I couldn’t access anything worthwhile to write.  Who wants to hear about how this other person who went with me to India and then the Czech Republic…was kind of driving me crazy?  I didn’t.

I had my moments where I met wonderful people, saw incredible beauty, allowed two magnificent tusked elephants walking down the road toward me in Bandipur to literally take my breath away…but, right after that…she was back in my face.  Irritating on multiple levels, she was getting in the way of my fully being able to let loose and enjoy myself.

Perhaps you’ve figured out by now that “she”, was of course, me—and wherever I went…there I was.  Constantly on my own case, I noticed that if I could only get out of my way, I might enjoy so much more.  If only it were that simple.  What was going on?  Or, better yet…what did I learn from this?

*  Never leave for a long trip that will require extensive travel stamina when you are exhausted.  I knew this…but I just couldn’t seem to heed my own warning.
*  Plan for some rest days when you arrive at your travel destination…of just pure rest…instead of getting in a car after a 24 hour flight and traveling another 24 hours over a 2 lane road…which often becomes a one-lane road.
*  Pack one staple food that you can eat anywhere, anytime.  (Peanut butter and crackers?)  Sometimes, it’s a long wait between meals.

If you’re going anywhere this holiday season…or anywhere, anytime, where you might meet someone to date, take a lesson from the above.  You don’t have to travel to a foreign country to learn: #1. Don’t arrive at your destination tired, #2. Give yourself a little time to pull yourself together when you get to wherever you’re going, and #3. Don’t show up hungry.

Because being tired and hungry left me feeling crunchy… and unable to be present and quick witted enough to get out of the car and introduce myself to the elephants.  I love elephants.