Travel on my mind

Travel what does it mean to you? I have a friend who travels a lot but only to do meaningful (by his definition) activities like volunteer projects and learning new skills. Other friends travel to see the sites buildings museums history they have read about. Then there is the travel to a destination to relax in a resort where staff “do things for you” and where all one has to do is swim eat lie in the sun and sleep. There are many other reasons for travel - work family health and education. Me? I travel to learn about myself. I travel to experience being myself in another culture where I don’t know anyone and no one knows me. I usually travel alone I often drive long distances I tend to wander and stay wherever feels right and for as little or as long as I need to see how I might be if I lived in a place. Every now and then I go somewhere for a defined time frame and a plan of where to stay and what I want to do. Those trips are my least fulfilling yet they teach me a lot about my capacity to be patient accepting and organised. Today I’m flying off to board a Cruise Ship. My first experience of cruising. This trip was a gift. I’ve had no part whatsoever in the planning the destination activities or booking. I’m giving myself over completely to the experience. I can’t wait to meet me on a ship - a confined space an organised space a daily timetable of activities. I shall sink or swim I imagine (not literally) I have five audible books and two hard copies and more changes of clothes than three months travelling on the road. I’ve seen cruise ships disgorge their passengers in ports and often wondered what draws people to this way of travelling. My mother and her husband love cruising she books five or six trips a year and it was her idea to take me. Mother daughter time on the high seas woo hoo. The last time we travelled together was by ship from Australia to England in 1970 - six weeks at sea and such an adventure. Somehow I think this will be nothing like it but then travel is what you make it. #travel #stories #beyourself #mindset #adventure #motherdaughtertime #cruising #highseas #icandothis #outofmycomfortzone #perennialwoman #perennialtravel #solotravel

Karen x