There is no feeling like getting ready for a big trip. Whether it’s a weekend in Vegas with the boys, or a 6 week Euro-trip, the anticipation before any vacation is tantalizing.
As you check off days on the calendar, counting each one down with anticipation… it seems like the day will never come. Then before you know it… it’s finally there. You set the alarm clock. Twice. (Which really doesn’t matter anyways because you can’t sleep from sheer excitement.) You jump out of bed, grab your bags and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
For anyone who has ever traveled, I’m sure you can agree that embarking on a new journey is unforgettable. There’s no better feeling than sitting on the edge of your seat and hearing those words… “Buckle your seatbelts & prepare for takeoff!”
But what about the part nobody ever talks about? Coming home. I recently just completed one of the most amazing journeys of my life through Southeast Asia. 19 months in total to be exact. That’s 578.3 Days of shorts, sandals, and a whole lot of sun. Granted not all of that was spent traveling, but needless to say- it was freakin’ incredible… that is until I had to leave. 
And you know what I came home to? Over 20 inches of snow in less than a few days, temperatures dropping below minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and freezing cold winds that cut to the core.
The craziest part? I absolutely loved it. The sheer fact that two ENTIRELY different worlds can co-exist within less than a day of travel, is pretty mind-boggling if you think about it. In a period of less than 30 hours, I experienced two drastic extremes- from 90 degrees Fahrenheit and flip-flops, to -20 degrees literally overnight. To me, that’s freakin’ cool. No pun intended.
Don’t get me wrong- there are things I absolutely love about living in a warm weather climate- being warm for instance- but there are definitely benefits to both. And the more I travel, the more I learn to love both sides of the coin. Skiing in the rockies, surfing in Bali, snowshoeing on frozen lakes, or snorkeling with giant sea turtles- I simply love it all.
You always hear about “reverse culture shock” and people who have difficulties integrating back into their home culture after being abroad. But I beg to differ- obviously it takes some time to adjust to everything, but I find that I end up loving home all that much more after spending some time abroad as it gives you perspective that you would never have access to when stuck in the daily grind.
It helps you appreciate things you normally take for granted and ultimately reveals just how truly fortunate we are to live in a country with many freedoms, and a high quality of life (you might argue this point- but after having traveled to many countries where the average wage was less than $100/month- you certainly come to appreciate the luxuries we have been brought up with… and I’m not even talking about big TV’s and nice cars- more like clean drinking water and good education!)
So which would you choose? Snowy Canada? or Balmy Thailand? I choose both and will continue to travel the globe in search of the best snow, sun, and adventure. At the end of the day it comes down to being flexible and willing to adapt to your surroundings. I can’t say I’ve ever traveled to a “bad” place. It’s entirely what you make of it, so go out there and seize the day!
For the love of travel,
Evan
P.S. Challenge yourself to create an adventure in your own backyard. So often we get stuck in the mindset of having to get away from it all in order to have fun- but why not check out some of the activities at your fingertips, or book a hotel in your own city & have a vacation at home! Travel is all about being creative… Live it up!
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