Jessie: In Toronto enjoying a change of pace.
Lately, I’ve been on the road far more than is normal for me. In fact, by the end of the month I will have been away from home for 21 days in July. It has been fun and a bit of a whirlwind but mostly it has been a great chance to shake up my routine.
Since I work from home as a writer full time I tend to spend most of my waking hours alone except for the imaginary people. I live in a rural village in New Hampshire for most of the year and rarely encounter crowds, public transportation or even something as exotic as a Whole Foods. It is a wonderful life but a sedate one much of the time. And it is easy to fall into a rut. I tend to see the same people, hear the same languages and eat the same foods most of the time.
But this month has been filled with novelties. In the airports and on the streets I overhear conversations in languages I cannot identify. I see clothing styles and intriguing pairs of shoes and architecture that soars or gleams or impresses. I walk out the door of the hotel and purchase tiny pineapples and rolls warm from a bakery. I drink coffee I did not make myself.
It feels expansive and refreshing. I had no idea how much I would love wandering the streets of San Juan or poking about D.C. and Toronto. I love the spirit of adventure that being in parts unknown brings out in me. It has even been inspiring some ideas for my work. I am already looking forward my next trip. But, I think I’ll enjoy spending a little time back home first!
Readers, do you love to shake up your routine now and again? If so, what is your preferred way to do so?
Books!
Books are one of my favorite ways too!
I often use location as a determining factor when I travel to new places for conferences (loved Bcon in New Orleans!). But I’m happy to visit any place new, or revisit places I haven’t seen in decades (like traveling to Manhattan, where my grandmother lived for some 40 years, with my sister–we’d never been there together as adults). But wherever you go, one thing is important: look at everything and take your time. If you’re walking from one place to another, let yourself enjoy the scenery, the people on the street, the odd or funny details.
I love walking around new places for just the reasons you mention!
I’m in a travel moratorium these days, and I’m finding time for local opportunities like summer music festivals, garden walks, and arts and crafts fairs. So much creativity all around!
Local festivities are such a great way to have a new perspective on familiar surroundings!
True! Writers & artists spend so much time alone (by necessity) that our nerve endings receive a bit of a shock when we venture out. We live in a city so I like to go where I can see the horizon uninterrupted by buildings. Chesapeake Bay is my favorite. (But along the way I collect phrases, facial expressions, etc). Thanks for the post!
Sounds like we have opposite challenges in our environments that can end in the same sort of ruts if not switched up a bit. Looking out over Saco Bay is one of my favorite ways to change my perspective and my attitude!
Not so much traveling now. I take my trips in books.
Armchair traveling has much appeal! Less packing and no security lines!
I travel a lot. So far this summer I’ve been to Maine, Iowa, and up next is Green Bay, Wisconsin. All three trips combine work and pleasure. I’m longing for a few days by the water with nothing to do. Can’t see that happening in the foreseeable future. BUT I count myself very lucky to have so many wonderful, vibrant people and experiences in my life.
I love to combine work and pleasure on my own trips too! Green Bay sounds like such an inviting name!
Your July sounds like a lot of fun. I do like to travel and just returned from a writer’s conference in Denver. But traveling can be exhausting for me, especially flying! I also like to take summer road trips to the Jersey shore. It’s close to home and the kids love it.
I’ve never been to Colorado but would like to if the chance presents itself! Road trips with kids really are fun, aren’t they?
I love travel of all sorts. In the last few years it has mostly been road trips. I love to drive and think nothing of driving 900 miles a day by myself. Just got back from a 3-week trip to AZ and got to see parts I hadn’t seen before. I’ve been in most parts of the country (all states expect Alaska and North Dakota) and love the different climates and flora. I really enjoy going from one type to another in a single day. If I could afford to and didn’t have a very loving husband to come home to, I would travel even more.
Sounds like you love adventure, Ginny!
Definitely. As I get older and creekier, I can’t do as much as I once did, but that doesn’t keep my from trying! I can no longer trek in the Andes, but I can drive to wild and wooley places.
I’ve been feeling much the same recently. Maybe that helps account for my desire to go on a trip – any trip.
I hope you travel to somewhere wonderful very soon!
I love to travel, but don’t do it enough.
Maybe someday soon!
What fun, Jessie! Travel used to be a favorite way to shake it up but hubs and I have collected a zoo of critters that has clipped our wings. Not complaining, love the critters.
Instead of far-flung adventures, we are sticking closer to home and day tripping. Some of our greatest pleasures come from trying to locate the old Florida sites we remember from our childhoods. When we get really lucky, there are antique shops in the towns selling memorabilia, too. It’s fun to find the remains of an Everglades Alligator Farm and then locate an alligator-shaped napkin holder with the logo and town name!
Those sound like lovely local adventures! I love poking around in antiques shops too!