Last week I put up a post talking about the things that I thought I would miss, but I don’t. Today I’m taking the opposite tact: a lit of things that I actually DO miss. Things I totally took for granted back at home but have come to long for on the road.
Things I Didn’t Expect to Miss:
- The Seasons– Okay, so skipping snowpocalypse 37 this winter was really sweet, but my quest for endless summer hasn’t been totally blissful either. It turns out there is a whole mess of emotions and memories tied up to changes in the weather, and when you are on a hot beach all the time you kind of miss out on them. Right now I’m in Northern Vietnam, where the weather is seriously chilly, and although I’ve whined a bit, part of me is secretly thrilled to see some variety.
- Driving– I used to really dislike driving places at home, but now I really miss my car. To be more oddly specific: I miss my work commute. That was my time to be alone and decompress while rocking out to Lady Gaga or that Train-song-that-nobody-likes-but-me.
- Sleeping in My Own Bed– This was mentioned in the comments of my last article and I definitely agree. I’ve slept in more beds than I can count on this trip. Comfy ones, horrible ones, beds on floors, beds in a van, on a bus, boat, train. Nothing can compare to the security and comfort of waking up in your own familiar sheets.
- My Family– Of course I knew I would miss my family, but I really have, much more than I thought I would. Maybe it’s because I spent the last two years in very close proximity to them (link), or maybe it’s just because I am SO far away, but part of me can’t wait to get home and see them again.
- Vegetating– Yeah, I’m kind of a lazy bum a lot of the time. Sometimes (particularly when you’re hungover) it’s just heaven to spend an entire day zoning out with a book or a Law and Order SVU marathon. When I’m traveling though there’s so much to see and do that I feel tremendously guilty every time I want to take an afternoon off and watch Dexter on my computer. Plus nobody likes to be that kid who never leaves the hostel, no matter how tired you are feeling.
One of the big lessons I learn, every time I go travelling, is how grateful I am for the little things in life. I am constantly stumbling across those “don’t know what you got til it’s gone” moments, and I think they are really valuable in making you appreciate your home life.
What surprising things have you missed?
Haha, I tried the exact opposite of weather and aimed for a never ending winter. Come 4th of July when I should have been on VACATION from work sitting on a raft in someones pool, I was in New Zealand pulling on a turtleneck sweater getting ready to walk to work in the cold wind and rain. That day was pretty hard.
I did that last year when I went to Iceland for my summer vacation. It was great but I was definitely kicking myself a bit when the chill set in.
Can’t agree more about vegetating, sleeping in one’s own bed (oh how i miss my pillow) and family. There are certain foods that I also miss, when I travelled in Asia last summer, I LOVED eating their cuisine but after the first month, I started to miss pizza! haha.
I miss a really good hamburger. Just can’t get it right outside the states.
NYC subways. They stink and they’re a germaphobe’s worst nightmare – why do i ALWAYS miss them?!
My cats. I’m severely allergic to both of them, but I really miss being amused by them chasing each other around.
NYC water. Seriously, it just tastes better.
Starbucks and the brand-specific things I like from the supermarket. Not all soy milk is the same and Steph, I’m sure you remember my woes of London cereal…
oh goodness this takes me back! But you can’t tell me the New York subway is better than the tube. I don’t accept that!
I love both the tube AND the NY subway. Dirty and crowded, yes, but you can get across half the city in just a few minutes with both. Where I’m from in Australia (Adelaide), the public transport system is so shockingly terrible (and expensive!), that my first encounter with the subway shocked me – if for no other reason than the trains were so frequent, so fast, and great for people watching. It’s one of the things I definitely DON’T miss about home 🙂
I hate when cities have poor metro systems, it sucks for visitors AND residents.
First thing I thought: YOU GOT A FREAKING CUTE PUPPY!!! I miss chillaxing in your bed watching SVU too. 🙁
I miss YOU
We miss sleeping in our own bed, too. The seasons, however, especially the winter – not so much! Something else I really miss are steaming hot showers with good water pressure – washing my hair under freezing cold water is just not fun 😉
yes, hot showers are definitely a luxury you miss on the road. And privacy.
I hear ya!
I never thought I’d miss all of the above (with the exception of the seasons and vegetating).
I miss driving and the freedom to just hop in my car and take a ride anywhere, anytime.
More than my bed, I miss my pillows! LOL! I sleep with ridiculous amounts of pillows (handmade by my mum) and I miss them 😛
Which brings me to my family! I didn’t think I’d miss them this much. I think I keep more in touch with my parents now, than I did when I was back home.
And you know, I never thought I’d say this when I was in Malaysia (which is where I’m from), but I miss the food from back home – and I wish I had learnt how to cook 😛
Good list 😀
Yeah I definitely talk to my parents much more than I could have expected. In a way travelling has brought us closer.
I’d have to say I agree with the bed, but I’d also add clean clothes. No matter how hard you scrub your clothes or how often you hand wash them in the hostel sink, it’s just not the same level of cleanliness I was used to back home.
I miss having more than 7 pairs of underwear!
Being hungover while on the road is the worst!
Good list.
seriously. It’s a special kind of hell.
Yess I definitely miss vegetating!! It’s amazing to have that time to yourself, and also the car time you mentioned.
I also miss being somewhere familiar – which is why sometimes I fit in my travels small places/cities/stopovers that I’ve already been to (London is a big fav. of mine). Gives me the feeling of home and the ability to sustain a longer trip.
I would kill for a stopover in London right now. Sometimes familiarity can be so comforting.
Sleeping in your own bed is worth a million… all the hostels and sleeping bags can be disturbing!
so true.