Somehow I’ve gotten myself a reputation. Thankfully it’s that I travel all the time, not anything worse. I do travel a fair bit, but I don’t feel like it’s excessive. I’m young and single . . . what am I supposed to spend my disposable income on?
Everyone I know, from friends to mere acquaintances, ask me where my next trip is. It’s not as though I go somewhere exotic or exciting all the time, I just make an effort to get out of Portland and go see some place new. Or someplace old, depending on where my friends are who have a free couch for me to sleep on. Even the president and CEO of the company I work for regularly asks about my next trip. Good thing I work in an environment where they don’t look down on you taking time off! I even had a friend assume I wouldn’t be at her wedding because I already had travel plans. That made telling her I couldn’t make it due to a trip much easier.
This traveler reputation has actually worked out well for me. You know that awkward small talk you have with acquaintances or people you haven’t seen in a while? This turns out to be a great starter conversation piece. And it is much less infuriating than being asked if I’m dating someone and if not, have I thought about online dating? Because they know someone who just got married who met their spouse online, etc. etc. etc. But I digress. I’ve actually had conversations that were interesting and animated instead of awkward with friends and strangers about the places I’ve been.
Most of the time, I actually do know what and where my next trip is. I usually have them planned out about a year ahead of time. For example, last month I went to San Diego. In a few weeks I’ll be in Hawaii, then Canada, then Priest Lake, ID, and then likely Sunriver for Labor Day. I’m to the point now where I feel a certain amount of pressure to have a trip planned though, just for conversation sake. And now it’s been a few years since I’ve been overseas, so I’m feeling some pressure to put Europe on the docket. Some people are peer pressured into doing drugs, I’m feel pressure to travel.
While I have a reputation for a number of things, from being a picky eater to a shoe whore, I do enjoy being the person that travels. And leaving every now and again helps to remind me why I love Portland so much. Besides, life tends to be more interesting when you’re counting down the days to your next adventure.
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