Travel Panic
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Why oh why does this have to be so hard? Why is it that an experienced traveler like myself has a melt down every time I leave the country. It’s as if it’s the first time all over again; the indecision, panic, running around, trying to get everything to fit in a small suitcase. I’m in that familiar panic stage…the panic of trying to get things organized to leave the country for 3 months. One would think that I was used to this as I’ve down this road twice before for much longer periods than 3 months. However I’m still befuddled at what I need to be organizing right now. I want desperately to be a ‘good example’ and pack light and be super calm and organized…but that’s not reality.
Here’s the reality.
I’m leaving in one week. I haven’t looked at a single book or website to learn about where I’m going beyond the fact that I’m going to Italy, Jordan, and Lebanon. I don’t know any more than I’m simply arriving in Milan and my friend is picking me up. She sent me the towns that we may be traveling around in Tuscany and I haven’t done anything more than tuck the email away in my inbox. I am supposed to be arriving in Jordan to live with and tutor a family. My intention was to get my tutoring stuff organized and have a plan for what I was going to work with them on and have examples and sites picked out to utilize. I’ve done nothing. I’m supposed to move on to Lebanon in February – I haven’t even looked at an airline ticket or figured out how I’m getting there. I have no airline ticket home – I just know I’ll be heading back towards home in March sometime. I don’t know what I’m packing at all; nor do I know what bag I’m taking (backpack or rollie bag). I don’t know anything about Jordan or Lebanon; haven’t thought beyond “I’d like to see Petra and the Dead Sea”.
I feel like mess.
Then again, the more I think about it – maybe the lack of plans and organization is really the sign of a seasoned traveler? All of these open and unanswered questions…maybe that’s normal for people like Lisa Lubin (LL World Tour), Dave and Deb (The Planet D), Barbara Weibel (Hole in the Donut), and Anil Polat (Foxnomad). Maybe I’m becoming more like my travel idols?
However I can’t seem to think that not only does not planning and going with the flow is a key part of being a seasoned traveler – but to really be a seasoned traveler – you have to not worry about not being prepared. You have to have a zen like acceptance of it all. And I’m a long ways away from a zen like acceptance of not being organized. But I am better at coping with it than I was 4 years ago when I left for the first time; I guess I’m showing progress.
No more worry about what I’m not doing, let’s talk about what I am doing.
I’m spending Christmas in New York City…by myself. I know that seems rather depressing, but I was unable to get back to spend it with my family in the Midwest. I intend to make the most of the day by doing some volunteering in NYC that morning and then hopefully doing some photography. It’s just a day…however when it comes I’m sure it will be full of a few mental hurdles for me.
On December 27th I fly off to Milan, Italy to meet a friend who is from there. She’s Italian and had innocently invited me to come visit her in Milan. You should know never to say that to traveler…that’s like giving a crackhead a spoon and a lighter. Of course I was ready to jump at any excuse to get out of the US and travel! However this trip to Milan and Tuscany is really just the tip of the iceberg…it’s the beginning of my winter travels. For the first time in my many visits to Italy I will get to see Milan AND I will get to experience Italy with a local, not as a tourist. I’m so excited to be in Italy with my friend Vera, to see the local places, not be hindered by language barriers and to get off the tourist trail. I will not only be off the tourist trail, but I will be off the internet. That’s right …a real break from this crazy online life for a week.
On January 4th I have a very budget flight with a super long over night layover in Cairo (yes – sleeping on the floor in an Egypt airport…exciting huh?) and I will arrive in Amman Jordan to live with the family Al Swias for a month. This cultural exchange experience is through GeoVisions (LINK) and their Conversation Corps program. In exchange for room and board, I will be tutoring the family in English conversation. I’m really excited to start to learn more about life in the Middle East. I can only imagine how many of my preconceived ideas will be shattered.
Sometime in early February I will be heading to Beirut Lebanon to do another Conversation Corps program with GeoVisions. There I’ll be staying with the Costa family. When I tell people I’m heading to Beirut, a furrowed brow and a look of concern comes over them; which actually excites me. I look forward to showing you, my readers Beirut as I have a feeling you’ll be surprised.
In March things get really unpredictable – I will choose a place to go for a few weeks on my own, maybe Syria, maybe Turkey, maybe Israel; who knows what will happen! This is of course part of what makes all of this preplanning so difficult – I don’t really know where I’ll be going completely. I’m not sure of the climates and exactly how long I will be gone. Then again I am reminded that you pack for a week in your bag no matter how long you are planning on being gone; that’s what laundry is for.
I hope to make it through this pre-leaving panic stage in tact. Come December 27th…I have to get on a plane whether I’m ready or not…
What do you other travelers think…do you all go through that crazed panic filled leaving stage when you are about to depart again? Any tips on how to cope with it?
I will be blogging weekly about the volunteering experience on my other site Briefcase to Backpack – so be sure to check the Volunteer Chronicles to learn about the ins/outs of international volunteering.
I don’t have any tips for avoiding travel panic but can offer plenty of empathy. Do you think it’s because you’re travel schedule is packed so full? That’s when panic sets in for me. Here I am, a travel writer who is traveling at such a fast pace that there’s barely time to research where I’m going or what I’m doing. Not so professional, right? However, arriving at a place without that research crammed in my brain allows me to take in a destination as I see it, rather than as I’ve been told to see it. Have fun in Italy. You’re going to love being introduced to all things Italian by a local. I can’t wait to read about your adventures in Jordan and Lebanon. Wishing you safe and panic-free travels.
Donna – I agree – I always worry about the fact that I should be more prepared as a travel blogger as I should know what I’m going to want to see and research, etc….but it never happens that way!
Sherry, I completely feel your pain. For 20 years my career and life following a methodical plan and each trip was meticulously researched and documented before leaving the country. The idea of jumping on a plane without all that information was beyond comprehension and each trip was preceded with a copious amount of worry and running around.
Today, flash forward 81 days into our RTW trip (my first personal trip longer than a week in my life) and already I have thrown off the concerns and feeling completely frustrated by any time constraints put upon me. Our trip has already thrown us some interesting curveballs, but I have surprised myself with the lack of a meltdown or even so much as a moment of irritation. Besides my wife, there is no one more surprised by this interesting development and the new more travel chilled Warren. However, I cannot be happier but also have no idea where I will be in 2 weeks.
If I can learn to embrace the lifestyle of the carefree traveler I have complete faith in someone as strong and smart as you to embrace it as well. I wish you luck on your adventure and the journey to a carefree travel existence.
Wow – sounds like you are adjusting pretty quickly! It took me a long time to adjust to that life on the road and the unpredictability of it all. My cubicle habits hung on for a long time. However – I mainly feel this stress when I’m leaving the US still. Once I get on the road it all goes away and I fall back into my rhythm of letting life lead me. I’m so excited for you guys – you are going to look back in 3 years and wonder who you were!
I am so glad I am not the only one that gets in panic mode! I as well leave in March and have yet to book one ticket. Not because I am doubtful, but because I don’t have everything planned, and that makes it a bit difficult.Always thinking how I should do it this way, or wait this way would be better. But, to ease your anxiety,I am certain it will all fall into place for you, and then you will think back and wonder why you stressed a bit for nothing. You will have time to read on the plane about your destinations, and even do a little English planning for your family. Oh…and my favorite piece of advice…..Deep breaths, lots of deep breaths! 🙂
I can’t wait to follow the volunteer chronicles!
Thanks Alisha! Yes, once you get there this all melts away. It actually melts away for me the moment I step on the plane…which is why I love long flights. Good luck in your own planning!
Sherry! I’m so excited that you’re going to Jordan!! And I’ve met some great people from Lebanon as well so sounds like a fantastic trip. I’m beginning to think I had the same budget ticket as you, as I had an overnight layover from Italy to Jordan in Egypt. I wrote about that experience and have yet to post it- maybe now’s the time. Anyhow, I know you’re going to be staying in Amman but would love to find out if you’re traveling around there at all. I have a great taxi driver contact in Amman if you need it. Try not to stress and enjoy this next journey 🙂
Oh – I’d love to have your taxi driver referral for Jordan! I am staying with a local family – so they may also have connections – but it’s always great to have options. Get that post up so I can read it! 🙂 I originally thought about trying to buy my way into a lounge in Cairo for the overnight so it would be a bit more comfortable…but I never really know if that’s possible or not! Worse comes to worse – I sleep on the floor – or work on writing and photo editing with some strong coffee!
First- take a deep breath- works wonders with panic.
A week is a long time. Make a list of what you absolutely HAVE to get done. I never travel with a guide book- I discover stuff. Do I miss things- you bet, but I see lots. You have a friend in Milan, she must know what is worth seeing.
If you need to get books for your tutoring in Jordan, now’s the time to get them. If you are using books the family has, plan your lessons when you are there. You only have to stay a day ahead of your student.
Ticket home- if you know don’t know where you’ll be, you can’t buy a ticket home, so not productive to worry about it.
For clothing be prepared for the coldest and warmest it can get and you’ll be fine. You can always buy something if you miscalculate.
Hope this helps!
Thanks! I agree with all of these things – I think my stress more is about that I have do big of ‘to-do’ list to try to get through before I leave and therefore don’t get to focus on any of the planning aspect. All super advice!
Hey hey!
Sorry I just got around to reading this one!
1st–thanks for the mention!
2nd–it will all fall into place!
3rd–I actually decided to bring my rollerboard suitcase this time instead of the backpack! Imagine that. But it’s actually smaller and can be a carry-on which was my main deciding factor!
4th–I too seem to ‘plan’ less nowadays. I just know it all falls into place somehow and things work out. Or I’ve just grown lazy. Probably a combo of both. Who needs a return ticket?? You’ll get that in Feb or March!
Btw, I LOVE the new color scheme. Nice, clean, happy and fresh!
Have a great Christmas in NYC. I spent a few alone on the road (2 yrs ago…totally alone in Milan…well, the day after was a nice CS Christmas lunch for travelers). But being alone can be SO nice…really absorbing the sights and sounds of the season.
Talk to you soon!
Lisa
I love the uncertainty — that is one of the things that makes travel so exciting for me. Damn…. now I am ready to go again!
I don’t actually think that seasoned travellers are unplanned. Maybe they have a different level of planning and they don’t have an itinerary (but they probably have a rough idea of what they wish to experience) or accommodation booked (but they will know how to go about getting some). My main tip would be to worry about the few really important things that NEED to be done and don’t sweat about the little things and everything else can be sorted out later. For example, what to pack isn’t a big issue (they will have suitable and economical clothes wherever you land if you need to buy something for the weather).
True – we do have a different way of planning I suppose. However whenever I get ready to leave the country again I get stressed – just once I’d like to remain calm, cool, and collected…something to aspire to!