Why is it that some people are struck with a travel bug and others aren't? If I go too long without going on a trip, I start to get ancy and a little down-in-the-dumps. I feel like time is passing me by and I have nothing to show for it. It doesn't even matter that a few months ago I went on a huge vacation to Italy - I haven't been anywhere lately, and I don't like it one bit! It doesn't evcen have to be somewhere major or someplace new; a little weekend trip to Fort Bragg or Pismo Beach would be enough for me. And, of course, the occasional jaunt down to Disneyland is always welcome. But I just wonder where this desire to travel comes from, which forces to to examine the age old debate of "Nature vs. Nurture".
I grew up travelling because my parents took me places a lot. By the time I had left home, I had been to five foreign countries and ten states in the United States (including multiple visits to Florida, New York, and Hawaii). So travelling was something I did a lot of. So I suppose, in my case, it can be said that my love of travel was nurtured. But what about my parents? They took occasional trips to visit family or camping expeditions, and they frequented Disneyland (though, not as nearly as I did growing up), but they didn't do a whole lot of travelling. Yet, now, they love to travel and often feel as I do: too much time between trips can make for grumpy Langs. And my grandparents loved to travel, but that was in their later years. They certainly didn't go on vacations when they were kids, having both been raised on farms. So for all of them, I have to surmise that nature is involved.
And then there are the people who just don't care about travel - the people who could either take it or leave it, and the people who don't care for it at all. Does that stem from a simple lack of travel in their younger and formative years? Or maybe from their parent's attitude towards travel? Certainly it can be said that many people do not have the opportunity for travel that I have been fortunate to have. Or, people might prefer to spend their money on other things whereas I prefer to save the larger amounts for an upcoming trip. It is such a passion for me that I can't imagine anything in my life holding such a place of excitement and pleasure in my heart. In my estimation, it is the greatest reason to save money or put yourself in debt.
And what are the appeals to travel? New experiences; different people and customs; new types of cuisine to explore; souvenirs to buy; travel offers it all. But I guess that you have to have a love to being out of your comfort zone and being placed in new situations. If you are the type of person who doesn't deal with change well or gets anxious when taken out of your comfort zone, I could see where travel might lose its appeal. But I just love it. I love all the planning beforehand; I love packing my bags; I love getting up early to leave; I love arriving and deciding what to do next; and if it is a long trip, I even love seeing it come to an end so I can return to those I love. Travelling, in my estimation, is just the greatest life has to offer, and I can't wait to decide where I will go next.
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I grew up living in San Bernadino, an hour away from my Grandmother's house in Baldwin Park. Once or twice a month we would get dressed up and go to Grandma's house. That was the longest hour of my life. My mother wore different perfumes and I swear she must have used a bottle each time she wore it. Driving made me carsick and the perfume just made my carsickness unbearable. I was miserable and since then have not liked traveling much. I do love be in new exciting places and old wonderful places like Disneyland,...it's the getting there that I am not fond of. However we have gone on some great trips with your parents and they really make tripping fun. I can see why you like to go on trips. If you need an idea of what to do next, I can tell you where to go! (ha ha)
Oh, the perfume thing would be horrible for me. I remember, when I was at UC Davis, the campus actually had a perfume rule. If women (or men with cologne) were wearing to much, they would be asked to leave class and return the next class period not wearing perfume. Since them, I have not had any problems in any classes I have taken or taught, but I remember people getting kicked out at UCD.
Nana and her father loved to travel...they didn't care where just get in the car and go. We all went on many weekend trips to funky spots with Nana. How about the infamous trip through the redwoods on a cabbage patch adventure.
You are a wonderful person to travel with. Always upbeat and ready for fun. And you usually plan it for us so that is great too.
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