What I hate about travel
It’s true what they say … everything has advantages and disadvantages. Nothing is just white or just black. The older I am, the more aware of the fact I am. No looking at the world through pink glasses any more.
Every coin has two sides to it.
Logically, travel has more good aspects than the negative ones, otherwise I would not spend so much time traveling and would not consider it the reason of my life. But still there are some things I do not like about it. Wondering what? Let me explain.
In fact, what I hate the most about travel is that I can never be with my family and best friends, I mean with all of them at the same time. Because even if do travel with friends from time to time, my family stays always in Slovakia. I’m really happy to live now in the 21st ct – time of internet, skype, phone and all the technology that make it much easier to stay in touch with everyone I care about, but still it’s not the same as being with them in person. Sometimes when I need my loved ones, or they need me, I just wish I was not that stubborn and go after my dream so much but was at home instead.
Like now for example, when we found out my uncle has cancer and I’m thousands of kilometers away, I’m angry with myself I cannot be there for my family, hug them all and especially give my uncle energy and strength to fight. And it gets even harder for me to deal with all this by myself as there is no one with me here in the same situation.
Plus Christmas does not feel like proper Christmas if not at home, I don’t even feel like celebrating anything as Christmas for me is time spent with family and this year I don’t have a chance to go to Slovakia. So travel makes me be far away from people I love which sucks!
What I can count as another disadvantage of traveling is that my habits totally change. I don’t wake up and don’t go to sleep at the same time, let’s say I almost do not sleep at all while on the way, especially on short trips. First, I want to enjoy as much time as possible while travel, second, being insomniac I find it really difficult to sleep in a new place and a new bed. Even worse when I have to spend a night on a train, bus or during longer flights.
Not only it’s so difficult to fall asleep, but if I do by miracle, I do in a weird position which destroys my back and neck. Then walking a lot, steps up and down, up and down hill so many times is really tiring for my legs/feet/meniscus as I’m able to walk up to 30 km per day. Basically, I come back from every trip more tired and in need of a massage (anyone who could help?) and great long sleep.
My eating habits get worse, too. When I stay at a hotel/hostel with breakfast included/all inclusive, I just eat till I literally can’t move any more as it’s paid for (stupid human logic)! Then, I do not eat regularly every 3 hours/5 or 6 times per day how I usually try to.
When travel, I eat when there is time or when I find a not very expensive place to eat, or when I’m already starving as I don’t want to ‘waste’ time eating and not visiting historic monuments instead.
Often it’s not possible to cook so or I get some sandwich or other junk food which is the quickest way to satisfy hunger, or if I want to feel like on proper holidays, I go to a restaurant. None of two is good. The first one is white flour and bread, not healthy; dinner in a restaurant can be healthy but more expensive. In addition, walking through the town with all that ice cream, sweet cakes, chocolate around me doesn’t help my healthy lifestyle either.
What I hate as well is lack of exercise or change of fitness routine. Of course, on all my trips I walk a lot, which is great exercise, too (I remember after 2 days of walking around Paris I lost 3 cm off each thigh), but not everywhere is possible to swim, cycle, do boxing or jump on inline-skates what I love.
As I’m obsessed with eating, I just need to move a lot. And walking does not help me to get rid of belly fat. Just too much of it destroys my right knee. Ouch!
Sometimes I hate that I cannot buy many souvenirs and presents, and that I don’t have everything with me when I travel. Apparently my luggage is limited so there’s not enough space for all the possible presents, nor clothes and cosmetics I could (maybe) need.
Then I have to make up a plan B, like when I break a nail and have no nail-file, I shape the nail rubbing it at the thickest stitch of the jeans.
Guys, honestly, can you enjoy a shower or a bath in a place that is not your home the same as you would at your own? Better not talking about doing what you really have to do in restroom :D I mean, unless it’s a 5 star hotel obviously, or a jacuzzi and everything perfectly clean and new, I just hate it sometimes!
Especially at hostels with a shared bathroom or a bucket toilet, or in some restaurants. Often the restrooms are so dirty I can’t believe my eyes! Makes me sick! And besides, if there is no toilet paper and soap! Argh! Who would think the lack of something unimportant like toilet paper can make your day a disaster?! Sometimes home comfort is priceless!
I have just mentioned some of the thing I hate about travel. However, there are many more why I love to travel.
Karisa
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Great points. I totally agree about eating habits getting worse! When I’m traveling I let myself eat ANYthing I want, always justifying it like “When will I have the chance to eat X again?” lol and like you said, it’s difficult to squeeze in exercise when traveling. Not a great combo…but in the end, travel is totally worth it! :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Very true, Karisa. But I am trying to change that habit of eating anything and not exercising this year, so let’s see how it goes ;)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ lola:
I know it is so frustrating … as well for me to see how difficult it is to stay in shape when on the road! Fingers crossed for both of us to look great even when traveling :)
lola
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UGH the lack of exercise and routine is my biggest struggle. i traveled so much in the first half of this year and it shows on my waist! oh well…i wouldn’t change all that i got to experience at the cost of a few extra pounds. i’m getting back into my workout routine now & i’m sure i’ll be able to shed what i gained :) *fingers crossed*
Hussain
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I reckon and agree with your feelings, specially when at times when your family needs you the most and you are not available in a distant land miles away. Everything all of a sudden becomes difficult and everything around loses its charm. At times like those I have often found myslef away from all lying under the blanket of star lit sky praying and wishing the best for my loved ones in every moment of thier life’s. Life is filled with its surprises some good , some bad all of which make the journey of life memorable. Now where would we treasure all the good times when we didnt face the bad one’s. (not meaning travel is bad- its the most natural form to understand and appreciate life).
Like one great traveller quoted ” No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow” ~Lin Yutang
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Thanks for sharing your opinion;)
Nice quote. In Slovakia we say something like NO PLACE LIKE HOME. It is true but travel still has all the charm and adventure.