“Who are you when you travel?”
That is the question posed by Emma, Kelly, Rebecca and Catherine for their travel link-up this month.
I’ve decided to answer this as a list, because all the articles in the world say that people prefer listicles nowadays.
(1) The Overpacker
I used to be the last-minute-throw-everything-together packer, but that changed this year, I’m not really sure why. Now I make a packing list weeks or even months in advance, and start packing for my travel at least a week before.
Nevertheless, that hasn’t changed the fact that I still overpack. I’m a worry wart so I can’t help but worry that something will happen that I am not prepared for, so I have contingency plans for all sorts of things – extra clothes, supplies, foldable bags, medicines, etc.
So I still have way too much stuff, but at least now they’re more organized. Thanks, packing cubes.
(2) The Overeater
I don’t like taking long vacations because whenever I’m on vacation, it’s like a switch on my brain gets flipped to go on vacation mode and I don’t care about what I eat, I just go: “eat all the things!!!”
So I always gain weight after each vacation, which is not good. Note to self: don’t forget to pack stretchy pants.
(3) The Overspender
I have never been able to stick to a budget when I travel.
Someone once said in a TV show that one of her fears is regretting not buying a pair of shoes that she fell in love with while travelling. I guess that stuck with me and became my fear, too?
I mean, think about it, if you don’t buy something while on a trip, there’s a big chance you’ll never be able to go back and buy it.
I know, I know, it’s a stupid excuse. I really need to put a handle on my Rebecca Bloomwood* ways.
(4) The Over-explorer
A friend of mine keeps quoting me on a line I told him once, while we were travelling: “We did not spend all that money to come all this way just so we can spend all our time sleeping!”
So my travels tend to be packed with activities. I make sure I don’t waste time doing something that I could have done back home, like sleeping, for example. Why sleep when you can be climbing a mountain or snorkeling or parasailing or eating unusual food?
The bad thing about this attitude, though, is that I could get really worn out during vacations when I’m supposed to be relaxing.
(5) The Overdocumenter
Well, I’m a blogger, so what did you expect? 😀
I take pictures just a bit more than I usually do on non-travel days.
Once, my roommates and I went to Siem Reap, Cambodia and we all had cameras, but guess who took 600 more photos than the others combined?
I guess this is the reason why when I went to Phuket, Thailand with a couple of other friends, they did not even bother to bring cameras. They knew I had it covered. They were not mistaken.
So I guess I’m an overdoer, in a nutshell.
What about you, what’s your travel personality?
*Rebecca Bloomwood is the main character of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series, and as the title suggests, she is one.
I am with you on over eating and over documenting! My external hard drive is full to the brim of pictures, half of which will never see the light of day! As for over eating, I try to compensate by walking a lot and reasoning with myself that I am burning a lot of it off ;).
Dee, I love you. This is the most awesome & honest travel post I think I’ve ever read!
*might be also guilty of all of the above…
I have started being the same with planning months ahead in terms of packing, Fredrik and I have something planned for September 24th and I already know what shoes and pants I want to wear!
One of the first things I do when booking a vacation is check out the food! LOL
I have that fear about shoes when travelling….ALL THE TIME!
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
The over packers. Yes! And why not. I always take too much, but hey I can change outfit three times a day and you never know when you might need an umbrella or cardigan on the desert right?
I am totally with you on point four. You got on holiday to make memories. Sleeping away the day can be successfully done in your own bed without the massive price tag! 🙂
Overeating is the best thing about going away 😉
Lol, fun post!! I’m more of an “underpacker” but the last two can definitely be said about me too. And while I try to not stray far from the budget, put some good food in front of me and I’ll eat it ALL. Especially if it’s sweets 🙂
Dee, I love you. This is the most awesome & honest travel post I think I’ve ever read!
*might be also guilty of all of the above…
I am with you on over eating and over documenting! My external hard drive is full to the brim of pictures, half of which will never see the light of day! As for over eating, I try to compensate by walking a lot and reasoning with myself that I am burning a lot of it off ;).
I have started being the same with planning months ahead in terms of packing, Fredrik and I have something planned for September 24th and I already know what shoes and pants I want to wear!
One of the first things I do when booking a vacation is check out the food! LOL
The over packers. Yes! And why not. I always take too much, but hey I can change outfit three times a day and you never know when you might need an umbrella or cardigan on the desert right?
I have that fear about shoes when travelling….ALL THE TIME!
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
Lol, fun post!! I’m more of an “underpacker” but the last two can definitely be said about me too. And while I try to not stray far from the budget, put some good food in front of me and I’ll eat it ALL. Especially if it’s sweets 🙂
I am totally with you on point four. You got on holiday to make memories. Sleeping away the day can be successfully done in your own bed without the massive price tag! 🙂
Overeating is the best thing about going away 😉