The Un-Glorified Rewards of Travel

While we all daydream endlessly at work about our next journey, i.e. sampling French pastries in Paris, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, cuddling up cozy in a chalet within the Swiss Alps, we fail to remember the 5 special rewards that travel (which we all know and love) will bestow upon us.

Becoming Fat

Anyone out there who hasn’t felt heavier upon returning from a trip? Impossible for me, personally. There are so many incredible cuisines to try in all parts of the world – it is a colossal sin to avoid sampling culture cuisines.  Colossal. Our waistlines expand upon this adventurous indulgence, enabling us to take in more and more, and we get a little bit . . .  fat. Mmhmm, we do. Those pizzas in Italy are served whole, you know. Don’t pretend you can’t eat it all, I know you can. The pasta, the gelato, that giant pepper thing stuffed with spices and three different kinds of meat and four different kinds of cheese (insert beginning of Simpson’s theme here). This reward, of becoming a bit fat, is very special. It is a testament to all of the wonderful foods and unique dishes we have experienced and learned from. In time, after we have returned from our journey, our over the top food frenzy must fizzle to an end, and our waistlines shrink back to original size.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

With every budding love, there may be some compatibility issues. Unfortunately, we have no way of predicting which food will have incompatible aftereffects on our body. Traveler’s diarrhea can be hell on earth. Why is there never a toilet when you need one the most? However, since you may only be in these places once, and there is no real way to foresee any issues, you may as well dive in headfirst. You just have to be prepared with the right goods (some Pepto and Imodium) and set yourself free to a plethora of food love affairs!

Vomiting

What greater way to experience unique and delicious food than to see it for a second time! Not as pretty as you last remembered it? That’s okay. It just wasn’t meant to be a long time thing.

Gettin’ Dirty

I still have a plantar’s wart on the bottom of my foot from 2 years ago. I am almost certain that I acquired it from a campsite shower in Europe. I’ve tried removing it time and time again, but it is a stubborn bastard that won’t let go.  Who needs souvenirs when you have a literal reminder, a virus, rooted inches deep into your skin?

Catching the Travel Cold

The travel cold makes you cough, and ache, and sneeze, and shiver and sniffle. Tons of people who travel come into contact with this cold. It’s not enough to take you out for the day, nor is it unnoticeable. A very testing liaison indeed. When I encountered this cold in chilly Cusco, I warmed up with soft and fuzzy Alpaca socks, scarves, and sweaters. Now, in the trying Canadian winter, I am warding off cold after cold with my cozy Peruvian attire! A perfect example of one of those bad relationships that you learn from.

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” – Andre Gide