There have been a number of threads recently, where folks were complaining about their travel "pet peeves". Personally we love everything about travel and feel very blessed that we are able to jump on a plane and fly to New York, Sydney, Paris, or Hong Kong, just because we want to.
Here are some of the things that I like best about travel:
1. Enjoying amazing views of cities, mountains , sunsets, and sunrises from my front row airplane seat.
2. Whizzing through elite/first-class security lines in those airports that provide them.
3. Meeting new people--especially those who recognize the "Yellow Tags".
4. Relaxing on the plane with a glass of wine and a good book.
5. Getting upgraded to a beautiful suite with a wonderful view of the ocean, a lovely harbor, or Central Park, which I enjoyed during my workout this morning.
6. Earning lots and lots of miles and points.
7. Of course, best of all is getting to explore new cities, all around the world.
My list is too long and I don't have time to give it the thought it deserves right now, but I do want to thank you, Punki, for starting this thread in response to the many complaints about the problems we often encounter in traveling.
I don't mean to come down in a personal way on those who enjoy sharing their gripes; I too have times when I've responded poorly to the actions of inconsiderate or ignorant passengers or travel providers. And maybe it helps to share one's woes with others similarly afflicted.
But just think about the term "pet peeve." A pet is something we feed and groom and hold close to us. How can it possibly be good for one's mental health to treat a peeve this way?
I think Punki's attitude is much better suited to enjoyable travel regardless of the circumstances.
Experiencing new cultures, new smells, new foods, new people.
Communicating with smiles and gestures (b/c there is a BIG language barrier)
Finding out that we all share the same feelings (amazing how women face the same issues in so many diverse cultures even tho on the surface they are so different)
The kindness of strangers in so many situations I can't begin to count
Feeling so blessed to have much more than my share and trying to find ways to share!
1) Experiencing other cultures & customs
2) Experiencing the wonders of nature
3) Eating sumptuous meals in flight, in town, in hotel
4) Getting away from the boredom of home
I share similar feelings with other posters so far about travel. So just to add, for me travel involves a process, and it begins with planning. This initial stage of learning, budgeting, organizing,and anticipating is always very enjoyable for me. It gives you something to look forward to, adding excitement to my regular day routine.
Then of course during the actual trip, I enjoy travel's spontaneity. It's funny how I love to do research about a particular country or city to learn it's culture, colors and sounds, yet I rarely allow my self to stick to the structure I've envisioned during the preparation. Therefore I meet new friends, discover different types of strangers and situations. It is fun.
Travel leaves me behind so many memories as well, which in a way fulfills me, change me, and hopefully makes me a better person.
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To borrow a phrase from Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", it feeds your head.
We live a nice, calm life in Kansas and we like it that way- but getting out somewhere else, reading the papers (if we can), seeing the US from another point of view, learning the local history is what recharges our batteries. My husband once said that in our travels he sometimes feels like he's walked into a geography or history book.
Exploring our world and partaking in the many delights to be found.
I love to wake up knowing that the day will bring many new experieces in a location that is unknown to me.
I love the feeling of complete freedom and the ability to choose what I want to do without anyone else to consider ( only when travelling solo of course! )
I love trying to speak another language and meeting locals.
So many things to enjoy that it far outweighs any challenges or discomforts!!
Jerrie and I love each other but travel just isn't in the same league. The best that we can come up with is that we like to travel very very much. YMMV
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And in further news today it was revealed that you might get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression.
Last edited by magic111; Jun 11, 05 at 5:13 pm..
Reason: spwelling
I don't know magic111, I have had some flight experiences that were equal to at least "amazing infatuation", if not flat out love, and surely experiencing travel adventures together has increased Hunki's and my love for one another and enjoyment of our lives together.
It still takes my breath away to remember a crystal clear return trip ANC/SEA where the pilot got clearance to fly out over the glaciers, and during the trip gave us a 90 minute history of the area. I couldn't stop thinking or talking about it for a month.
I decided then and there that I had to have a window seat--starboard going north and port going south--even if it meant that I had to trade a first class seat on the wrong side of the plane for a coach seat on the right side. This was about ten years ago and, despite the fact that I alway sit on the right side of the plane, I have never enjoyed a flight even close to that breathtaking experience, well except maybe sunrise over Mount Fuji, the first time I flew in over our nation's capital, or circling the crater of Mt. St. Helens, watching it steam...................ok, ok, I am a flight junkie. I admit it!
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I feel travel is a love/hate thing.
I enjoy the part about seeing many different places I had only read about. I love history and finally being able to see some of those places is just amazing.
At the same time, I don't enjoy coming across those traveling who annoys me in some way; e.g. people with foul body odor, parents who travel with unruly children, stupid tourists who walk into my shots deliberately, stupid people who try to steal my foot area in cattle class, overweight people who squeezes into my seat and me, snorers, drunks, loud and rude people, lazy and rude hospitality staff, etc.
I am not into exploring cuisine from other cultures. I am glad that McDonald's and Starbucks is in so many places, so when I travel I don't have to suffer from caffeine withdrawl and awful tasting food.
