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?
I agree with missing my own bed. It’s not the fact that I miss the comfort or the familiarity of it, but I am very much missing having my cat sleep with me every night. Having that contact and that human-animal bond to go home to at the end of the night.
Life on the road can be tough when you miss the routine, but I guess you just need to block them out. You know that if it was the other way around you’d be missing the fun and adventure of life on the road!
When I was studying abroad for a year I was so excited to not have a car and to be able to get everywhere I needed to locally go by foot, bike or bus. And that is something that I still miss in the U.S. I would love to live somewhere where I wasn’t dependant on a car. Recently being in a small car accident has renewed that desire even more.
I know I said I missed my car, but in a way I do agree. It’s so nice not to have to worry about all the things that go along with car ownership.
Great list! I definitely miss my bed at home and driving. Skype helps to stay connected with family, but there’s no substitute for my own bed and car. We’re halfway through a 6 month long trip in South America and Australia and I’m already looking forward to these things! 🙂
I think these are the exact things I would miss, too! I often have trouble sleeping in new places and new beds. Though hopefully it’s something that one adapts to. I would probably also start missing food items, since I’m such a picky eater. But I hope you’re having a wonderful journey!
Sleeping in my own bed I miss mostly. But vegging…I do it when I am traveling too. Just spend day on the beach by doing no any activity, or just spend night in nice hotel when I am tired of backpackers.
yeah im starting to learn how to vegg on the road…
One of the things I really miss is vegging with you!!!
we are vegetation experts.
Ha, I had a laugh at “nobody wants to be that kid who never leaves the hostel.” So true!
You know what I miss that I didn’t think I would? Raiding the fridge. Anytime I eat on the road I have to consciously think about what I am putting together. I miss being able to go to my fridge, stare blindly into it for ten minutes, and then find leftover chinese food or some random variation.
And of course, to echo everyone else, my own bed!
I hate cooking so I do like having to go out all the time, but it does make snacking harder.
Our own bed . . . yes, yes, yes, how I missed our own bed. That being said, on our first night back we got into our own bed and both of us felt it was too soft, after sleeping on the hard Asian beds for so long!
Hmm interesting… wonder if I’ll feel the same.