February 18th 2015
One of the few down sides of travelling is that even when you fall in love with a place, be it a city, a province, or just a waterfall, you have to leave it eventually. It’s just one of those things, and always worth it as there’s countless more doors to walk through, more wonders to discover and enjoy and then eventually leave behind.
Sometimes an entire country steals your heart and you never want to leave, but something pushes you onward. Sometimes it’s visa restrictions, sometime’s it’s what’s waiting for you around the next corner. Over this past year and a half I’ve started to figure something out,for me at least it’s the best way to leave a country you love behind, and it’s pretty simple, at least for long term travellers.. Make sure the first thing you do in the next country is something spectacular. Something you know you’ll love.
When I left India I’d never come closer to skipping a scheduled flight. It hurt to leave. I’d fallen in love with the vast and varied country’s manic energy, and promising myself I’d come back only helped so much. (I will go back in a few years and of course I still miss India.)
What made me get on the plane though was knowing that a thai island full of beaches, waterfalls and good food awaited me. Really, if your travelling like me, life’s good, but that doesn’t stop you missing a favourite country or city. It’s kind of like relationships, a lot of people never completely get over the last one until they throw themselves into another one of the same magnitude. Maybe it won’t work for everyone, but travel wise it seems to work well for me.
When I left Colombia, I went straight to the Galapagos Islands and pretty quickly I found myself too busy loving Ecuador to be sad about leaving Colombia. It doesn’t remove the desire to go back, but it keeps you from dwelling on how much you miss that place, which can hamper you’re enjoyment of wherever you currently are.
Just recently I left Ecuador, on the second last day of my entry permit, heading into Peru. It was hard, I adored Ecuador and so much of me wanted to stay longer, but I knew all this before I ever ha to leave, so I planned ahead. Braving an off the beaten path border crossing which took two days and countless collectivos, tuk tuks and buses to get to where I’m sitting writing this right now, perched on a mound of ground, tree as a backrest looking up at one of many stunning waterfalls here in Cuispes Peru. Anyone who knows me or reads this blog at all will know waterfalls are one of my favourite things, and this place tucked away in The north of Peru is a paradise for me. It doesn’t mean I don’t miss Ecuador, just means I’m too busy enjoying myself to dwell on the incredible country I just left behind.
Now, if you’ve read this far, you’ve probably noticed a flaw in my general brillliance. Most travellers aren’t moving on to another country, they’re going home. Headed back to work and real life. Some hate it some don’t mind, but either way, I’d offer this advice.
My same basic principle can be applied for those returning home. Build in a day free at home in your schedule and budget to do something you love back home. Something that reminds you why you enjoy living where you live. Be it a great meal, a beautiful hike, a nice spa day. Whatever, just something you love, to help you enjoy being home, instead of constantly pining for wherever you just left. There’s beauty everywhere, and we’re blessed with the ability to enjoy ourselves no matter where we are. So don’t dwell on the past, enjoy the present, and when the urge and opportunity strikes, plan for the future.
Happy Travels!
