The Un-Jaded Traveler: Things I’ll Never Not-Do
The first time I sailed out of New York City, I stayed out on deck until the skyline disappeared in the distance. I took photos of the Statue of Liberty and I hurried to the highest deck to watch the bottom of the Verrazano Bridge whoosh past.
I did this the second time I sailed out of New York City. And last weekend, I did it the third time I sailed out of New York City.
If I sail out of New York City a hundred times (which I doubt will happen, but still) I will never not-appreciate the fact that I’m on a ship sailing out of New York City. And I’ll never not-get-up at an ungodly hour to watch us sail back in again.
The same is true for all travel. I’ll never not-appreciate the Spanish moss dripping from the old oaks in New Orleans; I’ll never hurry past a group of street musicians. I’ll never not-watch the opening show at the Magic Kingdom, and I’ll never not-cry while doing so. I’ll never not-pause to marvel at the fountains at the Bellagio. And I’ll never not-kick-my-shoes-off and sink my toes in the sand of Miami’s South Beach or Cape Cod’s National Seashore or Bermuda’s Tobacco Bay, no matter how many times I may visit.
The thing about frequent travel is that it is so easy to not-do these things. When you travel more than once every year or so–when travel becomes more a lifestyle than a significant life event–it is easy to become jaded. But I’m never going to not-care. Because I realize how unbelievably fortunate I am to be anywhere other than on my couch, in my living room. And I’m never going to not-be-thankful.
I found this post intriguing. I read it the first day you posted it and have mulled over how I wanted to respond. Still thinking. But I hope I would never not-appreciate having time and money to travel. And I hope I would never not-do something I want to because of what others might think. So what if I’ve been to someplace more than once (ok, more than twice…. OK, OK… more than 40 times)… if I like it, and still want to explore it, I’m gonna! There’s more. But I think I’ll keep those thought to myself for a while yet. I like it when you make me think!!!
There’s more that should be included in this post. I, like you, also don’t-not-do (is that the proper number of negatives) things because of what others might think. But I also don’t-not-do things because of what *I* think. If given a travel opportunity, I take it. Even if it is something obscure or, in the case of my next trip, involves a bit of personal boundary breaking.
Oh–and I’m glad I made you think! I’m so rarely thought-provoking!