We know some flower children from the ‘60s and ‘70s may have a different meaning or idea about a trip, but that was then and this is now. Let’s put that past stuff behind as an exhilarating experience and move on.
This is about seniors in today’s generation moving from one place to another. It can be exciting, arduous, time-consuming, and even mind-blowing in some respects, but it is real, and sometimes hard to do. It is described by Webster: to make a journey, or to catch the foot against something so as to stumble – which is what we don’t want to do as we travel.
There are many difficulties that must be addressed and answered. First, do you want to go in the first place? If so, where do you want to go? How are you going to get there? How long do you want to be gone? And what do you bring with you? And the last question, what the heck am I doing this for?
So you have decided to go but there must be some reasons. Maybe visiting relatives or friends, maybe to see some scenery and interesting historical sites, or maybe just to be on the road or in the air to get someplace else for a while instead of being bored at home.
Whatever the reason, you have decided to make the big plans and move on. “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,” Saint Augustine. So you have decided to turn the page.
Where you want to go can determine how you are going to get there. If you are going to Hawaii you can’t drive. If you are going to Alaska or Central/South America you can have a long and international drive with heaps of excitement and scenery along the way. Or you can fly or float to those places as well. If you fly you can get there quicker but you miss a lot; if you float you may see many port cities along the way and load up with souvenirs and different foods.
How long you want to be gone can also determine the mode of transportation. If you have a short time you may want to fly. But, if you are like many seniors with time to spare, then one of the other options may be the most desirable. If you are going to Europe, Asia or Africa, then flying or floating are the only options, and available time to be gone is important.
What to bring? Well, the first thing is enough money or credit cards to get through to the end of the trip. Making a budget might be a good idea. If going to a foreign locations, then a current passport is a must. If going by plane or boat don’t forget to reserve or purchase the tickets in plenty of time; sometimes the sooner the better because of discount prices. If traveling by auto, good maps with the route clearly marked and the highways circled. You don’t want to be headed to Seattle and end up in San Diego. As Buddha said, “It is better to travel well than to arrive.”
A toothbrush, razor, cosmetics, of course enough of any medications, the proper clothes for the destination or comfort while in route. And an important note here, luggage hassles can ruin your trip.
Prepared travelers know what to pack and how to avoid problems before they happen. Lists are part of any organized traveler’s preparation: luggage contents, addresses for postcards, a list of credit cards with numbers and phone numbers in case they are lost – to be kept separate from wallet. And if flying, remember you will have to pass the inspection by the agents at the airport. Look up their standards for what you can and cannot bring aboard.
Now it is the time of year for seniors to take a trip wherever and however they want to. There is just one thing to keep in mind – remember to act your age because it might get you a better seat on the plane, train or boat, or even in a restaurant along the road. And remember, traveling is seeing; it is the understated mission. Travel is for visions and memories, and maybe a few photos. Keep those goals in mind. Do in it now and have some of those exhilarating experiences from a new perspective.
Patrick M. Kennedy does full-service editing and writing and has published several books. http://www.abetterword.com/ and http://www.funwithretirement.com/