Its the journey, not the destination

Diary of a homebody who loves to travel.

I’m a homebody who also loves to travel. I enjoy the simple comforts of home—slipping into clean pajamas, sinking into my cozy bed, and enjoying a hot shower. My routine brings me so much ease.

But after a few days at home, I start to feel restless. I’m always tidying up, organizing, folding laundry, cooking—doing all the little tasks that come with being a bit of a perfectionist. My body starts craving a change, and I begin dreaming about my next vacation, imagining new places to explore.

I start noticing the signs—Google showing me ads about planning the next trip, Instagram suggesting the top summer destinations, and my cousin sharing her recent travel on WhatsApp. The final push comes when a friend calls to chat about our next getaway.

And just like that, we’re off planning the next adventure!

Out comes the travel bucket lists. The map becomes our oasis, guiding our travel dreams. Then it’s down to the deciding factors—how much time we have, the weather and political climate in different parts of the world, and what we’re all in the mood for.

Once we lock in the destination, book the hotels and flights, and arrange a sitter for our cuddly doodle,the real fun begins. It’s all about planning, reading up, and romanticizing the adventure ahead!

Preparing to travel abroad always fills me with a mix of anxiety and excitement. I wonder about the experiences I’ll have, the foods I’ll get to taste, the new things I’ll learn, and the unexpected situations we might face. It’s all about stepping outside my comfort zone—scary, but so exhilarating!

It’s time to start checking off items from my travel list.

Yes, I have a long list in my Notes app—things to do and pack. After countless family trips, I keep adding to it every time I realize something’s missing while in another country.

I start checking for visas and making sure I have the necessary vaccinations for the country I’m planning to visit. How’s the weather going to be? Do the flights have special baggage requirements, especially for local travel?

There’s this surge of excitement mixed with a bit of fear, all part of the journey!

I’m usually the sole planner, unless we’re traveling with our family friend—then it’s me and my friend teaming up. We have daily check-ins to exchange ideas, share what we’ve found, and work out the itinerary. Collaborating makes the process more fun and interesting. But when it’s just me, I’m extra careful, reading the fine print to avoid any bloopers (which, yes, have happened before!). You definitely learn from those mistakes!

In my spare moments, I dive into reading about the destination and watching videos. I research the best tours, read reviews, and make sure they’re legit. Platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide have made this so much easier. Reviews are my best friend! It all started with Pinterest before ChatGPT, but now it’s so simple to get a full 6-day itinerary from ChatGPT in no time.

By this point, we’ve got a solid calendar plan, and we’ve already booked admission tickets to museums or major attractions.

As the trip gets closer—about one or two weeks out—the backpacks and stroller bags come down from the garage shelves, and the packing angst kicks in.

What clothes should I bring? Should I go shopping for a new wardrobe so I don’t repeat outfits in photos? Jeans or pants? Will it be humid, making tight jeans uncomfortable? Dresses are tricky for hiking Machu Picchu, and mosques don’t allow sleeveless tops. My battle with my fashion choices continues!

The day before the trip, you’ll find me on the floor with an open suitcase -rolling up clothes and fitting them neatly into the bags.

The currency and phone eSIMs are all set. I’m the type who always notes the U.S. embassy location when traveling abroad—better safe than sorry in this crazy world! Apps and boarding passes are added to my Apple Wallet, and now it really feels like it’s happening.

Then comes the big question: who’s going to drop us off at the airport? I have my superstitions about this one. It’s either Uber or one of our few friends with good energy. I definitely don’t want anything to jinx the trip!

There’s always a tear when we drop off our dear Doodle at his sitter. He’s excited for a playdate, but the dog mom is crying! My son is often puzzled, wondering why I get emotional about the dog but not when he is off to college.

And then the day arrives, just like any other—except excitement is buzzing! The moment we lock the doors and hop into our friend’s car, it all feels real.

Heading to the airport is one of my favorite parts; there’s something about the energy there that’s just different. By this time, we’re all in a relaxed state, with our adventurous spirits kicking in. First order of business: food! If it’s breakfast, it’s straight to Starbucks for my must-have lemon cake. After all, I’m on vacation now, and calories don’t count anymore!

When the flight takes off, I either fall asleep or wait for that magical moment when the wheels lift off the ground—it always gets my heart racing!

I actually love being on the plane (except for the bathroom). It’s a few hours of uninterrupted sleep, free meals, and endless entertainment. Honestly, that alone feels like a mini-vacation! Meanwhile, my husband struggles to sleep, and my son is completely glued to the in-flight entertainment.

As soon as the flight lands, the excitement kicks into high gear. Months of planning have finally paid off! Clearing immigration, stepping onto new ground, and figuring out the Uber situation (does it even work here?)—it all hits you at once.

The first impressions as you land are always a rush. Taking in the weather, the traffic, the cars, roads, people, and even the way everyone’s dressed—it’s all part of the magic of arriving in a new place!

Everything feels new and different the moment we reach the hotel or Airbnb. I immediately start jotting my thoughts in my app, on the way to the hotel. We already start scouting for the closest eatery, deciding where our first meal will be.

When I travel, I’m all in. I completely immerse myself in the moment, snapping a million photos of everything that catches my eye. My eyes are always looking for new things—anything different from my usual environment. I want to soak it all in: the food, the people, the weather, nature, trees, flowers—everything.

We’re fully present with each other, with no schedules (except for our travel plans), no work emails (though we might sneak a peek), and I even take a break from podcasts, letting music set the mood. Social media? Out of the picture. No Instagram scrolling, no checking in. It’s like I don’t care about anything beyond my little world—just me, my family, and the new place we’re exploring. If we’re traveling with friends, they’re part of it too.

Everything pauses. We’re in this alternate universe, far removed from the noise of politics, social media, and everyday life.

Every day brings a fresh wave of excitement—what new adventure awaits today? What will I learn, and what interesting conversations will I have? I especially love chatting with Uber drivers; you can learn so much about a place and get a local’s perspective just by asking them questions.

Google and Google Maps are my lifelines! I seriously wonder how people used to travel before Google. How did they figure out when palaces open, or where the best restaurants near their hotel are? How else would you know what locals eat for breakfast, or where to find the perfect souvenirs?

The days go by, the plan is working. Sometimes we shift things around based on how we feel or what we discover along the way. Sometimes, we get new ideas from a cab driver or stumble upon hidden gems that weren’t in our original itinerary. It’s all part of the adventure. We let the journey unfold naturally.

Let your joy be in your journey - Art by Femy

By the end of the trip, we’re all tired, and the energy starts dipping. The thought of returning to our usual routines—work, school—feels a little unappealing. That final meal is always bittersweet.

And then we start counting down to the journey home. This is when I begin scrolling through the million photos I took, reliving the moments. I check the calendar to see what’s coming next when we get back. Bit by bit, life starts to pump back into my veins. Reality kicks in, gently pulling me back into the rhythm of normal life.

When we touch down on home turf, it’s back to business as usual. The most exciting part of coming home is reuniting with Coco- when he runs into our arms, and we all shower him with kisses.

Then, it’s off to the grocery store to prep that first home-cooked meal. The clothes go straight into the laundry. The first shower and that long-awaited sleep in our own bed, wearing clean pajamas, feels like heaven. There’s a sense of stillness at home as we recover from the travel and the jetlag and ease back into our everyday lives.

I’m a homebody who also loves to travel. I enjoy the simple comforts of home. But after a few days at home, I start to feel restless. I begin dreaming about my next vacation, imagining new places to explore.XO

XO


☼ Thanks for making it to the end! I’m so grateful to have you here! I’D love if you support me BY subscribing to my NEWSLETTER of illustrated essays called Sunshine & Chai.

femy

Find similar articles in: