Dread and anticipation

Going to work every day doesn't generate very much anticipation and dread.  Occasionally something disrupts the routine and a bit may enter in but mostly work is too much the same to generate a lot of emotion.  On the other hand time off can generate a lot of both.

About every two years we treat ourselves to a really big adventure.  The anticipation begins with the planning. It is fun to sit with travel brochures and computers and browse for all the fun places you might go and what you might see and do and eat while you are there.  In the beginning budget constraints and time don't need to be considered.  The whole world is available.  Gradually we narrow down the choices to places we really would like to see.  Unfortunately I started traveling too late to see every place so choices have to made.  This is where the first little bit of dread slips in, what if I miss someplace I'll regret and go somewhere that turns out to be less than exciting?  Fortunately this usually goes away quickly because on the whole almost any place that is "not at work" is good.  The next dread spot is the cost because we have to choose, we are not wealthy.  This causes some places to be eliminated and some trips, because of length, are just too expensive.  But once the real choices are available the anticipation rushes in.  Which would be the most fun for the least money? Can we pick up a new country, a new continent, a new culture?  Once the choice is made and usually it seems obvious once we get to this stage then a whole new level of questions begin. What will the food be like, what sort of birds, trees, scenery will we see?  Should we plan a lot of activity or have some days to just relax, is relaxing an option on vacation or should you make the most of every hour in a new place?  Gradually all these options begin to settle into place.  Some choices are dependent on the type of trip, some on the interest level in the various options available and some are just left open to suggestion.

The next dread spot is the making the actual arrangements. First all the different travel companies have to be at least glanced at because you want the very best deal possible.  Also we tend to go with a tour group like Globus if we are looking at a place where we don't speak the language and we want a good overview of the place we are going. If we are traveling on our continent I usually make all the arrangements, usually with Expedia because despite checking all the options they almost always come up with the best package. Looking at all the options is very wearing and requires getting the warning on your computer about "too many tabs may cause slowing".  Finally you think you have it nailed and actually put your money down.  This is the biggest dread point.  Wow, that is a lot on money, I hope the trip is worth it, I hope we like the place, what if we don't and even worse what if we get sick and miss the trip just past the point of getting a refund and we have spent all that money for nothing?  A few deep breaths and a review of the itinerary usually calms this and to be honest once I've lined up a trip I'm going if I'm on a stretcher.

Once all the arrangements have been made the anticipation builds.  We tend to get books and read about places we are going, maybe purchase a few things to make the trip more pleasant but mostly just talk.  What are you going to pack, do you think we need raincoats (living in Oregon you always ask this even if you are going to the desert, habit), sun screen, bug repellent and so on and so on. As the days get closer the suitcases come out, you make sure you have cash, credit cards, passports in order, animals provided for, yard watered, mail stopped and all the other little details that need to be taken care of while you are gone.  Then the packing begins and a little bit of dread creeps in, am I lugging 50 lbs of stuff and I will only need 20lbs, do I really need a pair of socks every day, should I plan on washing some clothes and lighten the suitcase, do I have enough books, music, puzzles in case we get stuck in an airport?  Is there anything that TSA is going to find that I forgot I had?  Eventually the suitcases are packed and sitting by the door waiting for the trip to begin.

Finally you are heading out the door and we both ask each other do you have this, do you have that, did you bring one of those or was I supposed to pack that, who has the tickets, the parking coupon, the itinerary.  The last concerning spot is getting through all the airport fuss and getting to the gate.  As my daughter once said "at that point you are in the travel tube and you just go with it".  Time to relax and enjoy the trip.