Travelling feels like a distant memory in 2023 with many of us still experiencing the effects of the ongoing pandemic. But why is it that we love to travel so much and as things begin to open again, how can we travel in ways that soothe our souls?
Travel allows us to experience new scenery, see different cultures, eat exciting foods, and meet new people. Relationships and connection are integral to human nature: without it, we crumble and disintegrate. To be seen, heard, and acknowledged by others is important for nervous system regulation, leading to a decrease in stress and anxiety. As borders open, many of us are itching to wave our passports and soar into a new, exciting landscape. Traveling in 2021 is looking different from what we’re used to due to the ongoing COVID regulations – so how can we enjoy one of humanity’s favorite hobbies ethically and realistically in 2021?
Research and Respect
Make sure you research whenever you want to go, both for the logistical reasons of ensuring their borders are open, checking COVID regulations and requirements, but also so you are making an informed choice about your carbon footprint. Whilst it’s important that we collectively need to keep the pressure on billionaire CEOs and obscenely rich celebrities for their frequent use of private planes rather than shaming ordinary individuals for enjoying a vacation, it’s worth checking our own contribution to carbon emissions. It’s good practice to learn a few phrases of the local language too, to not assume everyone speaks English and at least make the effort to know the very basics.
Check Your Privilege
Travel is a privilege that many don’t have with some people persecuted for travel; those fleeing wars and violence to seek asylum overseas are often the target of harassment, racism, xenophobia, and inadequate care in their new homes. Being a conscious traveler means acknowledging your privilege to be able to travel relatively freely (bar pandemic regulations), researching the country or place you’re visiting to familiarize yourself with local culture and customs, and being respectful of the culture you are experiencing. You may wish to check out your potential vacation’s attitudes towards things such as the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, people of color, women, or other marginalized identities to ensure you will be comfortable and safe when visiting your chosen city or country.
Staycations
2021 could be a great year for falling back in love with your hometown or the city you moved to years ago and are becoming slightly less enamoured by. When we see things for the first time, they’re exciting; the city you’re vacationing in isn’t quite as spectacular to the locals as it is to you. What if we could experience where we currently live as a tourist? If you’re able to book a hotel or space in your local town or city, support local small businesses by treating yourself whilst on ‘vacation’ and still get the buzz of a trip without navigating complicated pandemic policies. It’s surely a win-win all round!
Travel via Words
If you’re finding it hard to get away, whether due to new lockdowns, variants or cost-related reasons, we can transcend time and space through the magic of words. Investing in some decent books can be worth it and allow you to escape to 16th century Europe, alien planets, or a robotic 2267 future, depending on your chosen genre. If non-fiction is more your thing, writers such as Ayobami Adebayo and Amelia Abraham provide much-needed insight into the experience of Black and LGBTQIA+ experiences of travel.
Traveling is not always easy: expensive journeys, busy crowds, and mistakes along the way can sometimes make it downright stressful. And yet, even on our worst trips, they always seem worth it. There’s always someone new we meet that we never forget or an incredible new dish that we try and yet can’t quite recreate at home, or a funny story to tell friends post-vacation. It’s no wonder we’ve missed it when there’s so much of the world to see and experience. Perhaps it won’t look the same as it did ever again, or maybe we’ll take the time to really appreciate it – airport delays, lost in translation miscommunication and slightly overspending issues included.
Alexa Jarvis is a writer for Immigration Advice Service, a legal organisation that helps undocumented migrants to regulate their status.
