On Friday, I’m flying to San Diego for a one day meeting. For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, I live in Halifax, Canada. Let me show you what this means.
Only if I moved to Brigus could this trip across North America be any further. I have a full day of travel on either side of the meeting. For this reason, I’ll be staying an extra day… gotta try to make all that travel seem worthwhile.
This may sound like complaining, please let me assure you it is not. In fact, allow me to present:
11 things I hate love about travelling for work
1) Lack of control – On travel days, my only decisions are which snacks to eat and what movies to watch. Everything else is pre-planned or not in my power to change. “I’m going to miss my connection? Oh well… what time’s the next one?”
2) Nothing to do – People watching during an airport stop-over is sociologically fascinating. It is an amazing cross-section of the population and even slightly odd behaviours are strangely amplified.
3) Long flights – I’m pretty compact and have excellent bladder control so I like to settle into a window seat and not budge until it’s time to deplane. It’s very relaxing to have hours of uninterrupted rest and am often asleep by takeoff.
4) Turbulence – I have absolutely no fear of flying and I’m able to find the science behind flight incredibly interesting. Never is the physics so apparent than during wind-shifts and up-drafts… Especially in a small plane!
5) Hotel bathroom – It’s a wonderful feeling, knowing the toilet seat will always be down and the only pee on the floor will be mine.
6) Strange bed – Sleeping in crisp white linen that I didn’t have to make, with nobody crying out for me in the middle of the night. Ahhhh, paradise!
7) Eating alone – I don’t have to cajole anyone to eat their food or threaten to give away their chair if they don’t sit their butt down immediately.
8) Jet lag – Since I’m not a morning person, it’s great that a 7:15am meeting start will feel like 11:15am. I’m also not a late night person so the time change is a great excuse to beg out early from evening functions.
9) Strangers in my room – Messes are just magically gone when I come back at the end of the day.
10) Being a nobody – The anonymity of travel is very freeing. I don’t have to do anything for anybody else, unless I choose to. Ironically, I become very generous when I travel.
11) Homesickness – It’s true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Being away from the family for a few days helps revive lost perspective. My boys are never so cute, and I never appreciate The Husband more, than upon my return.
How about you? Traveling alone… love it or hate it?
Escaping Elegance 
Thank you! Still sounds very exciting! Love the post, very funny.
Thanks. Very sweet of you to say!
Sorry, new to this blog, what do you do? I’m trying to fit in more travelling, so am envious of your jet pack lifestyle!
Hi Frankie, and welcome!! I no longer lead a jet pack lifestyle. I used to travel full-time as a professional tennis umpire. You can read about that here https://escapingelegance.com/2013/05/31/questions-about-my-past/
But now I’m a medical researcher who only travels for vacations, conferences, and meetings.
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Reading your blog always brightens up my day. X
http://aspoonfulofstyle.co.uk/2013/10/25/sunshine-award-keep-smiling-keep-shining/
Wow! Thanks very much. So lovely of you. 🙂
I hope you’re trip went well and that you’re there for at least a few days than just one! PS-Love Halifax.
Thanks Holli, so far the trip is great! And yeah, I love Halifax too. 🙂
Once upon a time, I lived these crazy itineraries. I don’t miss them at all, especially with the state of airline travel these days. Vaya con Dios!
The good thing about my current job is that I only have to travel a few times a year. I’m still able to be amused by the circus. Thanks for the well wishes!
Traveling alone is one of my most favorite things -except if its by car. I can’t stand being alone in the car for loads of time on end… I always end up hating my own voice by the time to trip is done. Flying though, man, do I love it. I find it so relaxing to be in the airport while alone, be on a plane alone, or staying at a hotel alone… its nice to get away once in a while 🙂
That’s it exactly! 🙂
You forgot to mention ‘traveling with a co-worker on Ativan!’ Could be entertaining, you never know.
You’re always entertaining, on drugs or off, but you’re ditching me halfway! See ya dark and early tomorrow. 🙂
Are you ever un-funny?? “The only pee on the floor will be mine”. Ha!
How I love you! Please let me assure you that I’m often not funny… usually after I’ve stepped in a puddle of pee,