I’m a homebody. I know that doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone in my family, but if you read my blog you might think I love to travel. I really don’t. I mean, in theory, yes! Travel is exciting, and I get to experience new things, see world famous places in person, and it changes all my perceptions about a country or people group and allows me to speak about things from a place of experience. Travel is an amazing educator.
However, I hate the process. I hate the uncertainty that I feel beforehand, the sense that I’m out of control and don’t know what is going to happen. I hate the packing and the mental checklists that I’m constantly making and rechecking (meds? phone charger? electrical outlet adaptors? passport? correct currency?) I dread the stress of the days before, when if given the choice I would always choose to stay home. Some people get excited about going on vacation. I’m not one of them. (I’m positive Kristy and my mom are nodding in agreement right now.) But I do it because it’s good for me — mentally, intellectually, and spiritually.
It’s kind of an “eat your vegetables” exercise for my brain. I have to keep pushing it to do uncomfortable things if I don’t want to go back to living my life by the mantra, “home is the only safe place in the world.” Every time I travel I add another positive event to the evidence bank and the negative voices get a bit quieter. It is getting easier. The day before our most recent trip to Crete I felt a few flutters of excitement and had a vague sense that I might be looking forward to going instead of just the dread in the pit of my stomach.
Because once I arrive, I love traveling. I have a new “safe space” to call home (my hotel room, apartment or wherever we are staying) and our days are full of exploring, learning, experiencing, and food. It’s always a spiritual experience to realize that God loves this culture and these people just as much as me and my own and I find that usually I agree with him. It gives us a chance for great talks with our kids (in-between the times when I’m telling them to stop arguing and be quiet! ) about what they like best about a particular trip, comparisons to previous travel and just getting to know them better as people.
So when Gulf Air had a special promotion for National Day yesterday, I knew it was time to buy a few tickets. I booked a weekend trip to Oman for the family in February and Josh and I are going to Paris for 5 nights in March. I’ve wanted to take him to Paris ever since I went last year and for less than $500/ticket, it was too good to pass up. Now I’m just crossing my fingers that he can take that time off or I’ll be stretching myself even further and taking one of the kids (Carter) with me.
Now I get to plan, research and dream about Paris for the next 3 months, which in my mind, is the best part of traveling. Adventures from the comfort of my own home. . .