My Good Friend, Travel

I’ve been in a committed relationship with Travel for quite some time now. To be honest with you, there was a time when I thought Travel really wasn’t a good fit for me. I mean, I get anxious on planes. I function best on a good night’s sleep. I thrive with routine. But Travel seduced me with promises of adventure, freedom, and opportunity all while helping me to maintain and strengthen bonds with friends and family through the decades.

Travel has always had a little space in my closet, but last year we made it official. I bought a Samsonite luggage set. You know the kind I’m talking about…that hard shell, those 360-degree wheels. I’m not really sure what my reticence had been about purchasing real, grown-up luggage was. Once I finally bit the bullet and invested in it, in my relationship with Travel, my world, really, shifted a bit. Seven planes, one train and two road trips later I’m wondering what took me so long to take the plunge? Game. Changer. We also got cutesy with packing cubes. I like that about us. I think it just goes to show that we’ve really hit our stride and found our rhythm.

Travel knows that most of the time I like the aisle seat. I like to drink an obscene amount of water inflight and have the freedom to go to the bathroom as much as I want. I like to arrive at my destination fully hydrated, bright eyed due to a sheet mask, and freshly brushed teeth. For this very reason, Travel also reminds me not to drink alcohol on planes or wear jumpers while en route. I could spend an entire page telling you about that black jumper with the side zipper I wore on my way down to Mexico. Maneuvering that ensemble in a tiny airplane bathroom was. Drama.

Travel likes to be spontaneous and has helped me learn to enjoy whatever comes up. Sometimes after four hours of delays, the airline will cancel your flight. There will be some very angry (probably drunk) people around you. But Travel will tell you to accept the free flights, hotel vouchers, and whatever else the airline will throw at you in appreciation for being the only kind and sober person in the terminal. If it weren’t for Travel changing the plans like that, I would never have had that wrinkle in time moment. I was in my home city, at a hotel overlooking the harbor, at sunset. I had been dropped off but not yet picked up. No one needed anything from me. No one expected anything from me. And while that is no way to live your life, 9 in between hours like that can work wonders for your sanity. Travel gave me something that night I didn’t even know I needed or wanted.

But Travel also knows there are times where I just need everything to go according to plan. I need to get on the plane without a hitch. Sometimes I even need that window seat. I need to stare out at into the expanse of a sky that has the space for my feelings. Travel has really been there for me with the heavy stuff. I’ve stepped out of my life a few times with one way tickets to other countries. I've been disappointed in love. I've been overwhelmed by gravity problems. For a few precious hours, though, the heavy is still there, but I am weightless.

Pandemic has changed things for us. We haven’t gone anywhere for fun and adventure. Travel, lately, has been for seeing people and being present for events. And that has been a good thing! It is good to take a moment to appreciate that you love, and are loved, by many. But my passport is getting a little bit dramatic since she’s been deemed unnecessary for every trip taken in the last two years. She’s getting worried that she’s running out of time, that she’ll expire before she receives another stamp. I tell her not to worry. I keep her with me wherever I go. Because you just never know.

While Travel loves it when it’s just the two of us or when it’s us and our revolving buddies, Travel is starting to wonder if it is time to have a more permanent companion. You know, someone to watch the bags and save the good seats at the gate while I go to the bathroom one last time before boarding. It would leave me some unencumbered time to grab coffees and buy paperback novels. I would have someone to share those unexpected moments and awe-inspiring sights with. I told Travel I would think about it but I’m not going to wait around for the perfect companion before our next trip. I have places to go and people to see. And sorry to disappoint you Passport, but our next several trips will be to explore the contiguous United States. But don't worry Passport, I won’t let you expire before you get another stamp.

Now, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m off to buy a plane ticket to…