Five reasons for not traveling debunked.

Five reasons for not traveling debunked.

As a lifelong traveler, I have had many people be amazed at my travels. However, I have also heard the many reasons why people decide not to travel. Here are the top five reasons I’ve listened to and why I believe they are just excuses.

Time

I believe that people make time for what they truly want. I know this to be true from my lived experience. If a person finds travel significant, they will find the time to make it happen. The great thing about traveling is that you can make your trip as long or short a stay as you desire. I have known people to fly to another state to have lunch. Don’t use time as a deterrent to travel; it’s simply an excuse.

Costs

Travel costs are yet another unsubstantiated excuse for not traveling. Currently, there are many different options to shop and compare prices for hotels, Airbnb’s, car rentals, airplane tickets, and other travel expenses. When considering travel, one needs to decide on a budget and plan travel around what can fit into that budget.

Travel partners

There are so many different travel groups where you can search for a travel partner. You do not even have to share accommodations or expenses with your travel partner. You can be in the exact location at the same time. There is no need to wait for the perfect travel partner because there might never be one.

Fear

Simply put, is False Evidence Appearing Real. If you have a fear of flying, there is a course for that. If you have a fear of closed-in spaces, there’s also a course you can take. There is simply no way to conquer your fears but to face them. If you have a fear of traveling, then you have to start traveling.

Age

An often-used excuse is I’m too old, or I’ll wait until retirement. I say never put off for tomorrow what you can do today as it simply may not come. In addition, many tour groups consider age groups and that cater to the specific traveler preference.

These are, but five of the arguments people use for not traveling. There are many more. What is/has been your excuse? I’d like to know.

Travel souvenirs.

Travel souvenirs.

I’ve spent more than half of my life traveling.  Through the years, I have amassed my share of travel souvenirs.  My collection has ranged from T-shirts, magnets, coffee mugs, keychains, art, and furniture.  Having also lived as an ex-pat, moving with your collection of souvenirs can be a hassle.  Now I prefer a photographic memory or a small trinket that evokes special memories.  Here are my thoughts on travel souvenirs.

You can find magnets almost everywhere you travel.  For novice travelers, they can be a great souvenir from your travels. They can also be a great way to keep track of all your destinations.  However, magnets can soon overwhelm the spaces you are displaying if you are or become a prolific traveler.

Destination coffee mugs are another excellent travel souvenir.  However, they are fragile and take up a bit more room when packing. Like magnets, they can also become overwhelming as you can only use them sparingly.  Choosing your morning coffee mug often becomes a chore when you have so many choices.

T-shirts are one of my favorite travel souvenirs, and I still collect them everywhere I go.  Like magnets and coffee mugs, they too can become overwhelming.  However, I have started creating T-shirt blankets and throws.  These allow me to keep the memories the tees invoke close to me in a much more visible way.

Art is a great souvenir, but getting it home can be a challenge.  As a souvenir, art requires much more thought than handheld souvenirs.  It usually has to go with your home décor, and you need space for display.  Packing art to carry home can also be a challenge as it often does not fit into your luggage, so transporting it can be a hassle.

Furniture is a great way to bring memories of a place with you.  As a travel souvenir, however, like art, it is a thoughtful investment.  Furniture usually requires shipping to your final destination, and often the costs can be prohibitive.  But it will be a cherished memento that you will have for many years.

Whether a novice or expert traveler, I encourage everyone to grab a travel souvenir. It not only supports but can be a great way to keep your travel memories alive.  Do you collect travel souvenirs? What are they? I’d like to know.

Road trips.

Road trips.

Covid realities are still a concern for many.  As many now contemplate travel, the option of a road trip can be an excellent choice for travel.  Road trips enable a bit more control over social distancing than air travel. So, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong trip, here are a few ideas to consider.

On a road trip, the traveler is in total control of the itinerary. The departure and arrival times of the trip are flexible, and you are free to take as many or as few stops as necessary. Overall, traveling by car gives freedom and flexibility not offered by other travel options.

You can pack as much or as little as you desire.  There are no weight limits for your luggage. Therefore, you can carry items you may not have the luxury of carrying on an airplane or ship.  However, I would strongly suggest keeping your valuable things out of sight and not exposing yourself to possible theft.

Even though a road trip will add mileage to your car, the costs are often a much better option than airplane tickets.  Considering the price of gas and having more hotel options can be a much more affordable way to travel and see the country.

Planning out a road trip is essential, especially for the driver.  Fatigue is a genuine concern, and the driver takes on a big responsibility with having passengers in the car.  A good playlist, audiobooks, and podcasts are great ways to ease the boredom of a road trip.

There are many benefits of a road trip. Road trips offer a lot of time for self-reflection.  They provide an opportunity to try something new and to find inspiration from the surroundings you pass through.  Additionally, road trips can provide a break from social media and a great way to make memories with family and friends.

Have you taken a road trip recently?  Did you like it, or do you prefer other methods of travel?  I’d like to know.

Being a Black ex-pat.

Being a Black ex-pat.

My lived experience is affected by being born in Barbados, a former international flight attendant, and living in London, Germany, and Singapore as an ex-pat. I am accustomed to being exposed to different cultures and being in spaces with people who do not look like me. Being a Black ex-pat is a similar experience as most ex-pats tend to have less melanin. Here are a few of my experiences that you might find interesting.

As a Black ex-pat, nationality has at times played an even more significant role than race. Having an American passport has occasionally lessened the impact of my skin color. Additionally, the perception of me being an ex-pat gives the assumption of certain socio-economic status. This notion seems to provide an added benefit my skin color does not always allow.

Most foreigners view black culture through what they see in media, pop culture, and their local prejudices. It’s not uncommon for someone to strategically take a picture with me in the frame. I am now not even fazed when asked to take a picture with someone. This request is much more acceptable to me than being staged in someone’s photo without consent.

Microaggression is always present. It’s a constant reality navigating other people’s perception of the black lived experience. As an educated black woman with a doctorate, I refuse to be the racial educator. It can be exhausting to explain racism when tone-deaf comments tend to be frequent occurrences.

I’m comfortable with being the only black person in the room. People often express to me their love for a famous black person. I often refer to this as the “Obama” effect. I see these expressions as people’s way of affirming their acceptance of me occupying the space I’m inhabiting and making me feel comfortable.

As a Black ex-pat, I have become familiar with being stared at. I tend to see the stares as a curiosity that lessens the discomfort I may feel. However, I have had to aggressively stare back in some instances to make people realize that I am not a museum piece.

Whether as a Black ex-pat or a frequent traveler, have you had any similar experiences? I’d like to know.

How to thrive with group travel.

How to thrive with group travel.

I wrote an earlier blog post about choosing your travel partners wisely.  Travelers may not always be able to select their travel partners with group travel.  However, there are ways to ensure your journey is pleasant and that you thrive with group travel.

Recognize your individuality.  No two people are alike. While there may be majority decisions or even unanimous decisions, all travelers have different needs.  For some travel group members, the desire is for escape, while it might be an adventure for others.  The reasons for travel are far too many, so embrace yours.

Be respectful of group members.  Even though your travel needs may be different than others, respect their needs.  Acknowledge their thoughts and ideas but state your own opinion.  If the group plans work for you, join in, and if they don’t, politely decline.

Be mindful of the advantages as well as the disadvantages.  For many, group travels can be a way to save money or provide a feeling of safety. However, it can also infringe on your privacy. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages ahead of time will prepare you for the realities of group travel.

Embrace similar interests.  Most group travels begin with a goal or interest that everyone shares.  Taking part in group tours or events with like-minded people can be exhilarating.  Sharing an experience with friends or family is much more enriching than telling them about it.

Know your travel goal.  Does the group travel involve a trip or a vacation?  For many, a trip usually has a purpose, while a vacation is about the experience.  If you consider the group travels a trip, you most likely will have a plan in mind.  If the travel involves a vacation, usually it entails rest or relaxation. Knowing your expectations from the group travel experience allows for travel that won’t disappoint.

Have you been able to thrive in group travel experiences? How? I’d like to know.

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