I hate surprises. They almost always end up being something bad.
That bombshell in your inbox. A negative or no longer wanted response to a forgotten query. The shock of an unsolicited
phone call.
Travel was always a refuge for me. A place to escape from
life’s reality. Even after days of
logistical set-backs, belligerent drunks, or sleepless nights on university
sponsored excursions. At least, I’d left
everyday life’s problems behind.
There are also places that make an impression. Those I thought would be lackluster. A well-known
monument may disappoint. But, the unsuspected sometimes leaves its mark. Despite the up’s and down’s, I thought that I’d
never tire of traveling
And then I did. The beginning of May in Poland is called ‘Majówka’. It’s a de facto holiday season. Many on my
program traveled to Italy or other locations. I stayed in Wrocław despite the
risk of boredom. It was better than facing more stress of the unknown.
Stress I’ve known
here is different from what I’d experienced in the past. The unknown comes to you. Surprises call at
your front door; they’re never good. They
don’t stop after a two week excursion. I’ve
long wanted to tour to the Baltic states. I have a few weeks free this June. Yet, I lack
the energy.
I used to long for travel to new lands. In the past year I’ve
noticed a change. Travel options are relatively
limited from Wrocław’s airport. It’s still easy to reach unexplored western European
cities. After my travel-bloated fall semester it just means another trip to the
airport. Another hotel I may not be able to find.
Next year, I’m studying in Vienna. Many flight’s go to western and eastern Europe. I can easily fly to northern Italy or Latvia. But, locations I’ve already been to now hold more attraction. A discount airline flies from Budapest to Skopje. I’ve spent months in Hungary’s capital. I can get to its airport. Macedonia’s western lakes are impressive. I know what to expect.
Next year, I’m studying in Vienna. Many flight’s go to western and eastern Europe. I can easily fly to northern Italy or Latvia. But, locations I’ve already been to now hold more attraction. A discount airline flies from Budapest to Skopje. I’ve spent months in Hungary’s capital. I can get to its airport. Macedonia’s western lakes are impressive. I know what to expect.
There’s also a certain fear.
What if the places I’ve visited don’t measure up to the memory? The circumstances under which I see them will
be different. I haven’t been back to Maldives
in five years. During Iftari at Karachi’s boat club, I vowed to return to
Pakistan during February of this year. I
visited a friend’s family in Tunisia instead. Macedonia’s Lake Ochrid may not measure
up. Unexpected hazards may present
themselves. Time differentiates the known and the newly discovered.
This afternoon, I received a rare surprise. After a year of
grad school and a summer internship with the European Investment Bank’s Finance
Directorate in Luxembourg , I’d planned to return home for a few weeks rest. My parents had informed
me we’d be going on a tropical vacation. I wouldn’t know where until I saw our
connecting flight’s destination.
It could be to Mexico,
Miami, to French Polynesia, the BVI, or back to Nicaragua for all I know. It’s
the first time in a while that I can live with the surprise.
I ordinarily would have inquired about our destination. For
better or worse I didn’t. Not knowing in this case would mean something. I’m reminded of trips to Russia, Spain, and my
first travel to Poland. When the focus
was not on the stresses I’d encounter - but on the wonders I’d find.
I appear to be doing fine in the short-term. Yet, I’ve come to fear the future. It’s the
perpetual surprise; many pundits predict it negatively for my generation.
the respite of my parents’ undiscovered country awaits me. Before what may ever be after it: The final frontier where none of us want to
cross.
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