In a time such as now, it has been impossible to plan anything and those of us who used to travel the world collecting memories from all the places we visited are a little stuck. What is there to look forward to? What can we do to find this value in our everyday lives?
A long-lasting memory of Scotland.
I was fortunate enough to have squeezed in a trip to Scotland in the December of 2019, only a month before the word pandemic was ever uttered. As I drove aimlessly around the highlands taking photos, marveling at the spectacular views and keeping thermal-ed up as possible I knew I was lucky to be there. It was special. I just, at the time didn’t think this trip would need to sustain me for 2 long years. Not that I would have done any of it differently with an insight. It’s a lot to put on a couple of weeks away from home, but it was worth it.
At the time no one understood, travel bans, vaccine passports and covid border lockdowns. It wasn’t even a thing. I know some countries have continued to roam around freely but I returned to my home in Melbourne and have been here ever since.
"There are no air-miles to collect or photographs to take, but I can reflect, I can remember and I can share. It's a little like travel without all the suitcases."
Melbourne is a fabulous city, filled with people, culture and languages from all over the world, its one of my favourite things about Melbourne. It’s a place that many perceive to be safe and lucky to have kept covid under wraps, well kind of. For this, I am eternally grateful and this isn’t a complaint. I wouldn’t want any political job ever, let alone now so I will not be critical of the actions taken by the people in these jobs at this time. But the travel ban has paralysed me, an inability to look forward and plan is one of the unfortunate side effects. I know, it’s a small price to pay, and not having had covid I cannot weigh in on the appropriate response from governments. I am however curious about how we (travel enthusiasts) can find an equal, all be it a temporary replacement for travel and overseas experiences.
I live in this stunning country in which I was born, although I did live 20 years in the UK with my family. I choose to travel as it enriches me with experience and perceptions that I have not found in other parts of my life. I pack, I leave and I come home slightly different each time having a deeper appreciation for my home, family, friends, the places I've been, nature, the planet, etc. Even the bad experiences are good in the end, making for hilarious stories.
Lots of my friends have taken to visiting parts of Australia, via road trip or if the timing is right by plane. This sounds wonderful and I wish it was enough. Travel for me is about seeing and doing things I wouldn't be able to do at home in my normal day-to-day. Adventure, photography, new people, new sights, cultural differences, things to marvel at and admire. I will of course travel and experience the different sides of Australia that I am yet to uncover in my 12 years here, I was just saving it for my retirement. When plane travel would be difficult - no one was expecting for that to be now.
An adventure inward, a psychological explorer of ones own thoughts.
The lack of freedom has forced me into finding new things to strive for. Looking to achieve something, staying occupied and engaged in the extra time we have been given. I chose to study various courses learning about new things, new perspectives, (it’s halfway there - I get to escape and change in a smaller slower way.) When looking for something to substitute my curiosity, something to marvel at I choose to explore the mind, not just my mind, (imagine that I chose to marvel at myself! Riddiculous) I chose a Psychology course, I want to understand how the mind works. It's not a loch in the Inner Hebrides but it is nature and it is just as fascinating.
How to scratch the travel itch in a post-pandemic world? If we cannot explore the outer world why not explore our inner. Obviously, I gave my home a spruce up (we all did) I have cooked cuisines from all the places I wanted to visit and then I was left with a yearning for travel. Distraction and focus on courses, personal development and writing to you have been my latest escape. This is my current adventure. There are no air-miles to collect or photographs to take, but I can reflect, I can remember and I can share. It's a little like travel without all the suitcases.
