We all do it, even if we don’t mean to: we take things for granted. Whether it’s the people we love, our friends who are always there for us, or our jobs, we sometimes forget how great they are. I like to think I never take travel for granted, that I always remember what a privilege it is and how grateful I should be for the many abilities it takes to travel (moving my body, packing an assortment of clothing, trusting that my flight will take off on time). But the truth is harsh: We all take things for granted, and this COVID-19 extravaganza is showing us just how grateful we should be for the things we never think about because they’re just there.
So I’m here to acknowledge this. By recognizing them now, while I can’t travel, and putting them out onto the Internet for all to see and judge, hopefully I’ll be more aware of these things when I am allowed to travel again. Hopefully I’ll be less likely to take these things for granted. Hopefully you will, too. So here it is: my list of the ways we take travel for granted.
1. A Plane Will Be Going Where I Want to Go
Major airlines have cancelled more routes than I realized even existed. There literally are not airplanes that could get me from where I am now to where I want to be. This is weird, y’all.
Remember the good old days when the biggest struggle was figuring out
How to Survive Long-Haul Flights in Economy?
2. Attractions Will Be Open
Sure, you can take lots of interesting virtual tours during this COVID-19 quarantine, but I like to, you know, be there. That’s why I travel. To be there in person! I’m ready to get back to museums, observation decks, church belltowers, historic homes, aquariums, zoos… basically anywhere I can’t be right now is where I want to be!
First thing travelers should do upon arriving in D.C.? Tour the Washington Monument!
3. I Can Walk Around Freely as Soon as I Get There
I was supposed to be on Molokai in Hawaii right now as you’re reading this. It was to be my first ever press trip that someone else was paying for. I love Hawaii. I love Molokai. I was so excited! But they have a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all incoming persons, whether visitor or resident. Needless to say, my 5-day trip was cancelled. Oh, how I long for the days when I could step off of the plane and hit the ground running! Those were the golden days of travel!
Literally hit the ground running: How to Run Around the World
4. I Can Sit in a Restaurant to Enjoy a Meal
Admittedly, my husband and I usually order take-out when we travel. We like to take it back to our room and eat with the view if we have one. But there are just some dining experiences that have to be experienced, if you know what I mean. Oh, how I long for the days of making a reservation months in advance. Of waiting an hour to be seated. Of eating off a dish that can be washed!
Find all my best foodie experiences (and feed your wanderlust)
on my World Foods Page!
5. I Can Shop When and Where I Want
Okay, okay, so I don’t like to shop. But now that I can’t I want to! In all seriousness, I do truly love to look around in local boutiques and find something truly unique to remember my trip. Like that necklace Steve got me in Uluru, Australia. Or that pair of earrings from Riga, Latvia. Or that adorable pink dress I got in Lebanon, Tennessee! I do love to support local shops.
Click here to find out how you can still
Support Local Boutiques During the Great Quarantine of 2020.
6. I Can Be As Close to My Fellow Travelers as is Convenient
Okay, so we all saw pictures from the Cherry Blossom Fiasco a couple of weekends ago. It was a beautiful weekend in D.C., the cherry blossoms were at peak bloom, and despite efforts to keep people away, blossom peepers were out in full force and not social distancing! It’s not always possible to be six feet apart on a hiking trail, at a popular attraction, or on the Tidal Basin in D.C. during cherry blossom season! How I miss the days of being so close to people I could see the color of their eyes.
Think you could handle fewer people on your travels even after quarantine?
My Solo Travel Page has your name written all over it!
7. I Can Travel with Friends
I love my husband. He’s my preferred travel buddy in all situations! I also enjoy traveling solo. It gives me that freedom and a confidence boost that I crave! But now that I can’t travel with just anyone I want, I want to travel with anyone I want! I want to travel with my family (still hoping we can travel to Mackinac Island with my parents in June), I want to travel with my girlfriends (so much for that annual girls’ trip to the OBX in May!), I want to share my love of travel with the people I love!
Click here to find out why this flight was so serendipitous!
What aspects of travel will you stop taking for granted when this is all said and done? Comment below so we can all add to our list of things to be grateful for when this is over!
Want to be part of the solution? Check out How We Can Help the Travel Industry Bounce Back.
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