Vicarious Travel

Monday, February 09, 2015

Today I am grateful for vicarious travel. Lately it seems everyone I know is planning one kind of a fabulous trip, or another. . .and they are taking me along in spirit as they talk about their adventures. What fun!

A couple of good friends are renting an apartment in Florence, Italy for a month, then traveling throughout Europe. A family member is planning a month long stay in Bath, England, with daily travels in the English countryside. A friend and her husband are going to Amsterdam and other spectacular European locations on a river cruise. Different family members are planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland. Other friends have just returned from Italy. Another one goes to Taipei, Taiwan to visit grandkids every year. Some families meet in Puerto Rico every Spring. Friends in the United Arab Emirates are always hopping the globe. Some of my Jakarta friends travel almost as much as if they were flight attendants. There are several cruises in the mix and even a road trip to Alaska. A bunch of people I know. . .okay, two bunches. . . many, many. . .are heading south to escape winter in Florida.

I know so many people going so many different places that I barely know how to pack. Oh yeah, that’s right, I don’t have to pack because I’m not going. . .physically. But I am going mentally and emotionally. I’m going to absorb every discussion of their trips because it’s the best I can do right now and it’s okay. It is. It is okay!

Everyone in the free world and beyond knows I would like to travel more. I make no secret of this fact. The only thing worse than not being able to go off on a spectacular adventure would be if people felt they had to curb their enthusiasm for their own trips because of my sensitivity. That is just nonsense. I feel happy for them. I don’t feel bad for me because I’ve already traveled more in my life than I ever expected to. I have been very, very fortunate. But the taste of adventure is a seductive tempter and I always find myself wanting more. . .and more. . .and more. No harm in wanting, as long as you know that everything in the world you want isn’t possible. Ever. You can still want it.

So if you are planning a trip and wonder if you should bring it up in my presence, please do! I am grateful for any kind of travel, even if it is vicarious. I can’t wait to find out where “we’ll” go next!