Travel While Not Traveling

My passport is collecting dust on the shelf above my desk, which makes me think I should be focusing a little more on basic household chores during this extended time at home! But it also fills me with sadness when I count how long it’s been since our last trip, and a little worry about how long it might be before it’s safe for anyone to travel once again.

In the last couple of years I got on a plane every other month, sometimes monthly. My Mother’s health was declining so I’d make the trek from Hong Kong to the middle of America to help my Dad out every couple of months. There were also five trips to and from Tokyo to visit extended family, a few memorable visits to our old home of Shanghai, and a wild long weekend in Paris that was less expensive than a staycation here in Hong Kong.

I didn’t really pay attention to the increasingly large amount of travel, it simply became a normal part of life. But the complete and sudden absence of any travel at all is definitely noticed! Sadly, me not traveling abroad means the reverse is true as well. Three groups of much-loved friends and family had to cancel their long awaited trips to come stay with us here, which feels terribly disappointing.

When will travel be a more normal part of life once again? We barely leave the island we live on – the thought of leaving the country feels completely foreign with a hint of danger at the moment. My wanderlust is still simmering under the surface though, and maybe yours is too.

Want to take a little trip without leaving home? The lovely humans in the New York Times Travel department collected a group of travel podcasts which will transport you all over the world. I’m wading my way through them, and it makes a lovely break from watching the t.v. or reading. Maybe pick one to listen to on your next daily exercise outing, and pretend you’re walking through Tuscany instead of your sidewalk, keeping six feet away from anyone who approaches!

Check out the list of podcasts here: Traveling by Ear: 13 Podcasts for Wandering Souls and then let me know the first place you want to travel to post-pandemic! I want to head somewhere with a long history… where the buildings have been standing for hundreds of years and will continue to be around long after we’re gone, God willing!

Right now I’m going to do a little dusting in my home office. And tossing up a prayer that my passport (and yours) will be back in use sooner than later.

More soon, Friends! Until then, we can safely travel in our daydreams, no passports required!

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