Homesickness & Comforts from Home: What We’ll Miss Most
Image by Darina Belonogova: perfectly captures the feeling of being Home Sick
In episode 5, Violet and I discuss the things we'll be most homesick for as we travel around the world for 12 months out of the year. For Violet, this includes:
Spending time online with her friends
Having her own bed to retreat to and rest up
Spending time with her brother Will
For me, it’s the really simple creature comforts such as:
Having access to a car anytime I want to go somewhere
Really amazing foods from our local restaurants in Port Washington, NY
Water pressure and reliable hot water when taking showers
Yes, clearly all of these are minor inconveniences and are likely considered high-class problems. And yet, Violet and I talk through creative ways to address these things while traveling the world.
Using Discord At A Designated Time
For example, while we might not be able to play the games that Violet enjoys playing from the comfort of her desktop computer, we can set up a once-a-month day and time on Discord so that she can chat with her friends. This would be a virtual drop-in event that all her friends can have on their calendars.
Yes, it might be 3am local time when Violet joins the call, but who cares? It’s a small price to pay once a month to stay connected to her friends.
Considering Trains As An Alternative “Bed Retreat”
For much of our time in Europe, Violet and I will be taking trains to go from country to country. This is a perfect time to take a nap and rest up. Sometimes we’ll do overnight trains. Other times we’ll want to see the country side.
And Violet agrees that part of the retreat may be due to the busy schedule of school and social life. That may be very different when we have the freedom to go where we choose and spend time with the people we love (and who love us).
Encouraging Will to Join Us
Will is not currently planning to join us on our World Tour, but may change his mind after our cruise to Iceland in June (i.e. 2 weeks before Violet and I “officially” begin our World Tour together). Who knows, perhaps Will could envision himself joining us in Greece for our 7-day cruise.
It would be great to have the whole family together even for a brief time while Violet and I travel around the world together. We’re grateful that Elena will be joining us for big chunks of our tour.
Trusting Our Aventure
Lot’s to learn and grow from this adventure. I’m excite to share even more as we continue to share our planning process and tighten up our travel logistics. We’re officially 5 months out until we begin. That time will fly by!
Future Topics (Suggested By ChatGPT) & Your Vote …
We also used ChatGPT to come up with a list of future episode topics. This is how we arrived at #16 for this week's episode. If you have a favorite from the list below, please let us know and we'll prioritize that one!
Meet the Travelers: Our Story & Why We’re Taking This Journey
Planning a Year-Long Trip: The First Steps & Big Decisions
Budgeting for a Year Abroad: How We’re Making It Work
Transgender Travel: Researching Safety & Inclusivity Worldwide
Destinations Chosen: Why These Countries Made the Cut
What We’re Most Excited About (and a Little Nervous About)
Packing for a Year: What’s Coming & What’s Staying Behind
Travel Insurance, Health, and Safety on the Road
Navigating Visas & Travel Logistics for Long-Term Travel
How We’re Documenting the Journey: Podcast, Blog, or Vlog?
Leaving Home Behind: The Emotional Side of a Year Abroad
Technology & Connectivity: Staying in Touch While Traveling
Cultural Sensitivity: Preparing for Different Customs & Norms
Finding Transgender-Friendly Destinations & Resources
How to Handle Language Barriers While Traveling
Homesickness & Comforts from Home: What We’ll Miss Most
How We Chose Our Travel Gear & Essentials
Public vs. Private Transport: How We’ll Be Getting Around
Adjusting to Different Time Zones & Jet Lag Tips
Food & Dietary Adventures: Eating Our Way Around the World
Traveling Sustainably: Reducing Our Impact on the Planet
Making Friends on the Road: Community & Connections
What We Expect to Learn About Ourselves & the World
Fears & Anxieties: What Keeps Us Up at Night Before We Go
Countdown to Takeoff: Final Thoughts Before We Begin!
Please share your feedback with us and we can prioritize these topics with the ones you’re most interested in. See you next week!
Love,
Bill
