Travel produces a special feeling – one that can’t be replicated by any other means. When a person anticipates traveling or is en-route, a different mindset begins to take form.
The “travel feeling” is as elusive as steam; we know it when we feel it, but it’s impossible to retain.
Traveling isn’t the same as commuting to work or school; there’s a lot more involved in the psychology of getting from point A to point B.
However, when people try to experience it upon returning home, the “travel feeling” is as elusive as steam; we know it when we feel it, but it’s impossible to retain.
This quirk probably occurred even back when young men were told to go West; in fact, the human condition, satisfied with familiarity, has always viewed the unpredictability of travel as bordering between thrilling and unknown. Some may consider that feeling an engima:
e·nig·ma
mystery: something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
Here are 7 other engimas of travel that cannot fully be explained:
Enigma #1 – You must stay away for a day
The first enigma is that, if a person packs a suitcase, travels as little as 50 miles, and spends even one night away from home, it’s considered more “traveling” than a day trip that’s 100 miles round-trip that takes 15 hours total.
It’s probably because we’ll be temporarily removed from our usual environment, which, as such, makes it more of an “adventure.”
Engima #2 – Fear is your motivation
The second enigma is that wanting to conquer travel fears may be the motivation for some people to travel further, more often, and for longer durations.
There’s a realization that fate can play a part in any travel plans. For some, this is exhilarating (”I may meet the person of my dreams”) while for others, it’s nerve-wracking (”What if the weather turns bad? What if my luggage gets lost?”)
Perhaps it’s the sense of not having control when traveling; regardless of technology, there are still numerous unknowns associated with picking up and going somewhere.
Enigma #3 – Travel teaches patience
Travel requires flexibility, and even the most well-planned itinerary will likely need to be changed. A portion of travelers view this as fun-they’re the ones who see the glass as half full instead of half empty.
However, the remaining travelers may eventually acquire that outlook after a number of unexpected situations. Enigma number three is that, even while providing excitement, travel has a way of teaching patience. It’s nothing if not humbling.
Enigma #4 – How much or little to pack
After travelers decide what to take with them, the first problem is how to pack it. The next is how to store it when they get to where they’re going, make sure it’s safe, and then bring it all back.
Many people give up on the theory of traveling light. They think, “If it will make my trip more pleasant, why not take it?” This is not to say that bringing enough to cover any emergency makes the trip better or worse.
We’re forced to consider the possibility that we really don’t need as much as we think we do
Travel enigma number four is that there will always be a debate between how little to take to fill one’s needs, and what will increase the trip’s enjoyment. (Even cavemen traveling south for the winter probably thought twice about the number of animal skins they should lug with them.)
We’re forced to consider the possibility that we really don’t need as much as we think we do, even if we plan on buying more stuff at our destination…
Enigma #5 – Cheap plastic souvenirs
Which leads us to the fifth enigma: People spend a lot of travel time looking for souvenirs. Couldn’t the time spent searching for items to remember a trip be better spent in ways to make the trip even more memorable?
Buying souvenirs for friends or family makes this even more enigmatic, because recipients can’t possibly connect any memories with salt water taffy or T-shirt. Yet, just like sending postcards, this practice is a big part of many trips.
Enigma #6 – You Take Home With You
People want getaways, but they don’t want to get away from their unique forms of comfort-the sixth travel enigma.
One of the most interesting facts of travel is that, although people want new places and surroundings, they also want to bring “home” with them.
They prefer to sleep on the same side of the bed as back home. They like to arrange their toiletries just so, like in their own bathroom. They usually keep the same manner of dress, eating, and sleeping, give or take a little.
Enigma #7 – The value of the journey
The most intriguing travel enigma is that most people spend months anticipating and planning for a trip that lasts a week or less. That’s 1/52 of our lives.
Isn’t it funny how such a small amount time has the ability to bring focus, relief and even “meaning” to people? We must have an innate desire for a mental break from our normal situations, and travel’s rejuvenating properties offers just that.
It allows people to actually make some of their dreams come true, whether those dreams are based on luxury, roughing it, reconnection with family, or simply remembering what it’s like to be unencumbered by chores and work.
The seventh enigma is that, despite travel’s potential inconveniences, it’s always well worth it!
What do you think about the enigmas of travel? Any other traits you can’t explain?
Karen Amato Schwartz worked in corporate management and dance education before starting her freelance writing career. She has written for Agora Gallery, ARTisSpectrum Magazine, Blooming Boomer, Blue Diamond News, Worth Remembering and Keen Publications. She currently contributes to the World Learning Network, Revive Your Life, ARS Compendium and Article Authors from her home in Pittsburgh.About the Author
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11 Comments... join the discussion!
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And following Enigma #6, as an ex-pat I also know full well that we always take the destination with us ‘home’, wherever that is.
After more than 10 years away from my native Sweden, I’m now as much of a tourist there as anyone else, though one that speaks the language.
It’s bitter-sweet, but also true that “You can never go home”!
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Karen – travel is my favourite hobby, and the thing I waste all my hard earned cash on, so I love this post.
I have another one: The Changing of Plans – travellers like to change their plans completely and often when planning a big trip. This is because they enjoy the planning side of things even more than the journey.
That is a huge weakness for me – I’ve changed our summer vacation destination tons of times, just so that I can plan more!
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Karen your post got me thinking about my travel habits which I guess I do unconsciously. And just to add to Catherine’s comment on Changing Plans- yes, changing plans is a major part of travel, since we want to make sure we have the best vacation. However, from past experience, I learned that sometimes planning less might make my trip more enjoyable. When we leave room for the unexpected, that’s when fun happens.
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This post is so true! Great tips, keep up the good work!
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I was laughing when I read Enigma #5 (cheap souvenirs). We spent about a month traveling with a guy through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan who was a chronic souvenir shopper – from Lenin heads to blow-up beer bottles. He spent the rest of the time trying to figure out how to get around post-Soviet postal bureaucracies to ship everything home. One day he’ll be able to open a museum.
Enigma #4 resonated strongly – after being on the road for 14 months and limited to a couple of shirts and pants, I can’t remember what we have in storage and why I would need more. Unfortunately, I know that will likely change when we settle down again…and I’ll start accumulating again…but maybe a little less this time.
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Everyone, I finally checked on this site and was pleasantly surprised to see my piece posted. I was also glad to see such positive comments; thank you all!
These are thoughts that I’ve been bouncing around for some time, and am glad to see they resonate with others as well.
And, Daniel and Lusine, you’re right; planning and changing plans are also enigmas.)
Hopefully, I’ll have more articles here in the future.
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Catherine,
I spend much more time making schedules than I do on the actual trip because I believe anticipation is more than half of the fun of anything. I make lists with time frames, plan my wardrobe, and even have numbers and addresses of multiple restaurants! But, I consider it all part of the excitement…
Audrey, yep, people and their souveniers will always amaze me. And Jack, I guess home really is where the heart is.
Karen
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Buying souvenirs is always a hassle and it's true that it takes valuable time away from your travel experience by forcing you to concentrate on shopping instead. There's not much you can do about it though.
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I can do nothing bu agree with all of the enigmas, especially numbers 3 and 4. Traveling really teaches patience because you always have to wait for something and something always goes wrong. All uncomfortable situations require a lot of patience because they will drive you made.
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