“If our lives are dominated by a search for happiness, then perhaps few activities reveal as much about the dynamics of this quest – in all its ardour and paradoxes – than our travels” – Alain de Botton
The anticipation of traveling somewhere new is like a drug. What will it look like? Feel like? Smell like? Sound like? What new and novel experiences are there to uncover and explore? Before a departure, thoughts like these are constantly and uncontrollably swirling around my head.
No matter how much I age, this childlike sense of anticipatory wonder stays within me.
Before a trip, I tend to spend a considerable amount of time watching videos related to the history of the city, and of the contemporary culture as well. I also enjoy peering into Google Maps to get a feel for the location’s layout and its appearance on the street level.
These anticipatory activities work to strengthen my excitement and curiosity related to the place of destination. I begin to daydream about what it must be like to be there on the streets, interacting with the people, sampling the cuisine, and attempting to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural norms.
This does not mean you should be so rosy-eyed about a particular place that you start to develop unrealistic expectations; every place has its pros and cons. But have some fun with it, dive into the place you are about to visit – get emotionally invested in your destination. Pretend you are a scholar on a mission to uncover the mysterious veil of an unknown location. To find its pulse – what makes it tick, and to then interpret the findings through your unique lens.
The anticipation of travel is all part of the journey.
Works Citied:
Botton, Alain. D (2002), The Art of Travel, Random House, Inc.
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