Travel! or Why Being a Hermit Actually Sounds Pretty Good

I like travel. No. I'm trying to make that true but what IS actually true is that I like the IDEA of travel. I like hearing about other people’s travel experiences and feeling envious of them for wanting to do that. Travel makes me anxious. The packing and the planning and not knowing what to expect…. Really not my jam. I try to compensate with lists. Packing lists, food lists, lists of possible activities, itineraries and backup itineraries, and then of course I need a list to keep track of all the lists. Flying makes me feel I should bring nothing and driving makes me feel like I should bring everything. Clearly, I take all the fun out of it. 

Once I am actually ON a trip, I often feel paralyzed with indecision about what to do there. I need to make it worthwhile to be out of my comfort zone. But how? 

So today, Owen, Ayla and I leave to a family reunion in a tiny town in the neighbouring (my hometown) province of Saskatchewan. It is a place where the sun is unyielding, the summer storms are fierce and majestic, and the mosquitoes laugh mockingly at your attempt at bug spray as they carry you away to their lair. I love my family and can't wait to see them, and once I am there I'm sure all will be well. It's the preparation that gets me. 

But… Cancelling is rarely an option with these things, so departure is D-3hrs and counting and I'd better get busy!