Gimme a break..!

I am such a pathetic traveler it’s not funny.

How I wish I was one of those women who can walk into a plane looking chic, wearing a floaty dress and heels and carrying just a tiny hand-bag, who can sleep seated upright and look beautiful and who, at the end of a 10 hour journey, exit the plane looking as fresh as a daisy!!

Such women really do exist. I’ve seen them. I’m just not one of them!

Even short flights leave me looking and feeling something like a cat dragged in.

I travel a lot (mostly on work BUT once in a while on Holiday too!) and mostly disappoint myself!

Instead of wearing something vaguely stylish, I am in my uniform of track pants and dark blue fleece jacket and sneakers.
And instead of strolling into the cabin with a dainty hand bag, I lug a bulky carry-on in which I pack two books (which I never got down to reading!) and a shawl (which I never use because I am wearing my fleece jacket!) – oh how very auntie like!

And when I was on a over night flight to USA last Sept (with the above dress code and accessories) I couldn’t manage more than two hours of sleep and I tossed and turned like a pretzel. To top it off – I caught a cold (which I do even when some one sneezes two houses away!) – a draught from the cabin ceiling was blasting on my head, causing my eyes to tear, nose to run and throat to be parched!

And I emerge from the flight with bloodshot eyes, dry lips, flat hair, bad breath and a drippy red nose.

Pathetic na?!

I know some one must be wondering why I’m silly to care about how I look when I travel. Comfort rather than style is what matters and if wearing track pants and sneakers give me that, why am I whining?

My problem is that I subscribe to the romance of travel, yes, even in this age of expensive things, low increments, no holidays, budget airlines and metal detectors.

Flying off to a strange land, savoring new experiences with no care in the world, eating, shopping and generally having fun – travel is glamorous, in theory atleast, and I certainly want to dress the part.

Sadly, I always look crumpled when I’m on a holiday.

I am yet to master the knack of creating the perfect holiday look with the wardrobe where I can travel light and yet look wow! I also lack the discipline to dress up with whatever clothes I do take along.

My countless experiences have proven that holidays don’t turn out quiet as perfect. And its become pointless to make any efforts if one is not enjoying in the first place.

The root of the problem is that I put too much hope on what a holiday can do for me. Unlike those real travel lovers, I leave home not so much because of the pull of a certain destination but the push to get away from my routine – whenever I’m stressed out at work and need to unwind, and when I feel the desire to escape from something that is bugging me in my personal life.

And my expectations are too unreasonable – thinking going away will change my life. That not only will I immediately morph into a happier, healthier, slimmer and calmer person when I step on foreign soil, but that upon return I will be refreshed, recharged and still embracing that new me!

If only life was that easy.
I have come to realize that my life is tough, stressful and unfair; going away on a holiday won’t change that one bit.
And even if a holiday has been enjoyable and I do carry the afterglow of it when I return, the holiday high dies in a matter of days and I’m back to my tough and unfairly stressful existence.
Nothing changes…….infact one feels even worse when the holiday dint meet the expectation.

Travel might be overrated, holidays may disappoint, but who will ever say no to going on a trip?

I know I cant wait to travel again ……I am already imagining touching moments of family bonding and adorable antics of my one month old nephew and the long drive in Chilly Delhi and the crispy lamb and papri chaat …..umm very special moments with those special ones!

Guess……"life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, but rather to skid sideways, upside down, totally worn out, shouting"... holy moly….what a ride!" ......and what a holiday! :)