When Traveling The World Is Hard

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My original intent was to write about “if you can’t measure it you can’t manage it” but suddenly a work trip came to fruition out of nowhere and suddenly I am off globetrotting to Morocco. So, I guess that post will have to be pushed back for the time being.

By most accounts when I tell people what I do they get the glazed look over their eyes of envy realizing I get to travel the world on someone else’s dime. And while it definitely can have its perks let me assure you that it isn’t all what it is cracked up to be. I’ve flown all day and night to land at my destination and learn the meeting was cancelled while I was up in the air. Yes, seriously. I have flown across the world only to land and a mere twelve hours later make the venture all the way back.

Bucket list work travel

There was a period I would get giddy to be able to check off a new place from the bucket list. As time has gone by and life has gotten more complex that excitement has slowly faded. Maybe a serious relationship starts. You find yourself saying vows of “I do”. Offspring happens. Priorities change. There is always something to get back to or someone waiting for your return. I’ve taken these quite seriously and while I won’t go as far as to say to my own detriment, I can say in retrospect I might have done things a little differently.

One of my biggest regrets throughout my career is not having taken the time to really explore some of the neat places and countries I’ve been able to step foot on. I always had a reason or excuse not to extend my travels or capitalize on the weekend…maybe I was pinched for vacation time and didn’t want to eat up a few days of valuable resources or I didn’t really have the funds to allocate for such a luxury or I didn’t want to make memories without sharing them with someone. All viable reasons for sure! Yet, maybe I should have made an exception here or there. A balance between the two.

I can’t really recall all the places I’ve been privileged to go to and not see. Clearly, I’ve lost count. Some of the ones I do recall are San Jose, Costa Rica. I just wanted to see monkeys. The only thing I was able to observe in daylight was the taxi ride from the hotel back to the airport. Zurich, Switzerland is another but holy cow was it expensive. I paid $62 USD for essentially macaroni and cheese. I kid you not. Then there is Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia – I had hopes of seeing the Petronas Twin Towers. Of course, there are others, but I prefer not to dwell on them.

Taking delivery of a new aircraft is epic

I have done some cool things, however. I’ve gotten to take delivery of a brand-new airplane. Highly recommend it. Getting the keys to your new car (or in my case a new used car) is awesome.

Getting the keys to a 787 Dreamliner at Boeing’s Paine Field in Everett, Washington trumps that.

Flying in business class is winning but much more rare at the time of this writing. Witnessing the Panama Canal and comprehending the impact it has had on our society is eye opening. Having the opportunity to listen to amazing keynote speakers and influencers in our lifetime is certainly trendy. Most importantly, making new friends and acquaintances across the globe has been the most memorable.

To say I comprehend the challenges my loved one’s face while I galavant on my ventures is an understatement. I’m exposed to new things and my routine is shaken up which can be engaging. The ‘Spender’ and our little guy are left to the mundane routines without the help of an extra hand. There was a time not too long ago in December all I could hear was sobbing on the other end of the phone as they both were sick and the ‘Spender’ was struggling to cope. Thousands of miles away a feeling of helplessness ensues. I get to have business dinners and thoughtful conversation while adult time and conversations for her are scarce. The list goes on.

Technology while traveling is a game changer

What I am thankful for is the technology at our fingertips. I’m not quite sure how those road warriors did it years ago. While it might not replace physically being there it does help close the gap on the void. Some tips (nothing ground breaking here for most of you) to consider on your next trip where you find yourself separated from the ones you love:

1. Facetime – yes, only applicable to Apple users
2. Skype – for those that resist Apple products
3. WhatsApp – super functional
4. Facebook video chat (and other social media platforms) – alternatives to some of the above
5. Postagram – cool app that turns your photos you snap into delivered postcards right from your phone.

Honestly speaking I find myself having more gratitude and appreciation of my homelife and how valuable it is when I am away. A renewed sense of love exudes from my inner self upon my return. It is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

So I suppose you can ask have I really been to some of these places I’ve traveled? Valid question. If you haven’t experienced it have you really been there? Maybe I’ve got the passport stamp but that doesn’t qualify as being a tourist. It drives home that while we are always in a rush to get to wherever we seek that we shouldn’t always wish away the present. Stop and slow down and linger. Take in the moment. It’s for this reason that while I long for financial independence and have constructed a path and hope to get there sooner than later that just maybe the focus should be on having joy in the journey.

On this trip I need to add two more cities to the list of having seen but not really seen – Casablanca and Madrid. I guess they will have to wait until that day of financial independence but I’m making a conscious effort of not rushing to get there. It will happen when it should. But when it does promise me you’ll meet me at Rick’s Café, would you?