I’ve had a severe case of cabin fever the past 18 months. I don’t remember a time when I’ve spent so much time at home. Virtual hotel visits and endless tourist board updates over Zoom were hugely worthwhile, but I like to see and hear and smell and taste a destination. Step off the plane, feel the rush of warm air and take in everything new in front of me. Eat and drink something different, learn something new and visit somewhere I’ve not been before. Watching someone else do that through a computer screen just doesn’t do it for me.
So I kept on planning....
My much loved travel documentaries were set aside during lockdown for Tiger King, and true crime series instead. I really couldn’t bear to watch others travelling in places that were so out of reach and inaccessible. I’d pop on an old Michael Palin documentary and I couldn’t concentrate, I’d feel restless and start scrolling through my phone. It just made me long even more for the trips I couldn’t go on. It made me realise how much I’d taken for granted the freedom that my passport and travel brought.
So I kept booking holidays. All the way through the lockdowns and uncertainty, I never stopped dreaming. My draft email folder has an email in there with an epic US road trip all planned out. When things got stressful or I was into my fourth hour on hold to someone or other, I’d add a bit more to it. It’s so huge now that I’ll need a year to complete it someday…..
As I was helping clients day in and day out with their travel plans, I stayed on top of the requirements and the ever changing rules. More than once I booked a holiday that I knew was unlikely to go ahead, but I booked it anyway. I even briefly got to Madeira last Christmas, only to be brought home early when the borders closed. Nevertheless, it made me feel better to think that there was something to look forward to.
I booked with airlines, and hotels and suppliers I knew I could trust. I amended those holidays, rebooked something different, occasionally took a refund and then booked something else a week later…
Finally ready for take off....
So imagine my excitement just over a week ago when I finally got to climb into the loft, take down my case, pack and head to the airport. Yes the paperwork felt like a pain, I’ve never printed so much stuff. More than once I wondered if I was doing the right thing….
I thought the airport and the plane would feel weird but they didn’t. They felt very familiar. Staff grateful to be back at work went out of their way to make the experience feel exciting. Face masks were new, but they just added to the feeling of being safe.
When we arrived I went into full on admin mode, sorting through the reams of certificates, QR codes and various other things I’d printed off. Handing bits of paper to my husband from time to time, then telling him off when I couldn’t find that bit of paper again. In reality I barely needed any of it. Vaccination certificate and plf form were checked efficiently and we were through the airport in no time.
Dare to dream again
Our holiday was incredible. An all inclusive resort in Greece. In reality a far cry from our usual long haul adventures, but it felt safe and easy. It was truly an escape and one that was very much welcome.
And so now I dare to dream again… that US road trip may become a reality. The Faroe Islands, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Antarctica are firmly back on the bucket list. Uzbekistan and Mongolia got added during lockdown thanks to those tours over Zoom! But instead of them being “some day” there’s an urgency…. The future is looking very bright and I want to explore the rest of this world as soon as I can in case it shuts me out again.
Make your dreams a reality. We can’t wait to help you get back to enjoying this incredible world again.
Sophie x