The reluctant traveller

I am a Sagittarian, and besides being the Best Looking, Wittiest and Most Charming star sign in the Zodiac, we are also supposed to be very fond of travelling. Well, my rising sign must be in Remainia because I hate travelling. I hate travelling for work, I hate travelling for conferences, and I’ve recently discovered that I hate travelling for holiday too. It has taken me almost 40 years to admit this, but I hate being away from home.  

When I was growing up, we (my parents and I) used to pretend that I wasn’t allowed to sleep out at my friends’ houses. The truth was, I hated being away from home.

When I left university, I did what most well-to-do South Africans did at the time; I took a gap year to travel overseas. I lasted less than 2 weeks and I was home again. I just couldn’t stand being away from home.

The bravest thing I ever did was leave my home town for four years from when I was 23 till I was 27 to work in another city. I cried all the way there and I couldn’t wait to come home again. Even though I had moved out of my parent’s home when I was 19 years old, I always made sure I was never more than 20 minutes drive away from ‘home’.  

I’ve had a great time on holiday, spending time with Marko and the kids but I’ve missed my home terribly. I miss my home, my things and my normal routine. I miss having my Paed just down the road (had to find an emergency doctor in this tiny town because Adam is sick, severe infection in his mouth), I miss my always-on broadband connection, I miss my bed, I miss my stuff.

I feel terrible that I am like this; I am trying my best not to let Marko notice. He has been looking so forward to this holiday for so long. And we really have had a nice time here, but I can’t wait to go home. My home feels safe and familiar and warm and comforting, and I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to take a vacation from that.

Comments

[Egg Donor (ret.)]

I am so with you here (and also a sagittarius, if that means anything). I hate leaving home. Last year I travelled 110 days out of the year, and was miserable. This year, I've sworn it off and am refusing to do trips that aren't 100% necessary. I like my life at home. The anxieties of all the administrative things that can go wrong while travelling aren't here. It's nice and comfortable and I want to keep track of it. Horay for home bodies!

[Egg Donor (ret.)]

I am so with you here (and also a sagittarius, if that means anything). I hate leaving home. Last year I travelled 110 days out of the year, and was miserable. This year, I've sworn it off and am refusing to do trips that aren't 100% necessary. I like my life at home. The anxieties of all the administrative things that can go wrong while travelling aren't here. It's nice and comfortable and I want to keep track of it. Horay for home bodies!

[Chicago]

Dear T --

We are so the same guy!

Love,
D
xxxx

[sheridan]

Even though I love to travel (am typical Taurus- must travel first class, would cry if I had to stay in a hostel) I also love to come home. Not so crazy about the mounds of laundry at the end of a trip, though...

[Cakes]

Awwww. Hope you enjoy your last bit of time. Maybe a bit of drinking and shagging will help pass the time.

[Sarah]

I always feel that way- excited for the vacation but wondering the whole time if the trouble was worth it. You'll be home soon and sharing fabulous vacation pics with us minus a close up of Adam's mouth infection. Poor little fella, now he gets to hear from Kate forever more "remember when you RUINED our holiday with your stupid mouth infection?!?" A friend of mine broke her elbow playing miniature golf when she was 4 to the point that her bone was poking out of her skin and her 8 year old sister begged to just finish the round before they left!

[Jennifer Margulis]

I know that feeling -- of just wanting to go home. I'm a Leo and I love to travel but sometimes you just need to be where the routine and the familiar things are.

[Ninotchka]

I'm right there with you. I just posted today about how my favorite part of a trip is coming home. It truly is!

My home feels safe and familiar and warm and comforting, and I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to take a vacation from that.

My sentiments EXACTLY.

[kristylynne]

I am a homebody too. Would love to take a couple of weeks off and do nothing at home! I like to take trips too, but about 3-4 days is enough for me, then I am ready to go home. I think it's the pain in the ass factor, living out of a suitcase, eating out 3 meals a day, that gets me.

[Lisa]

I'm also a Saggitarius and mostly hate to travel. I don't mind leaving for a day or two but LOVE to come home. Hotel beds suck, I'd rather sleep at home. Plus all my stuff is here and so are the cats, I'd rather be here than anywhere.

[Hullaballoo]

Hi there Tertia, just come across your blog and wanted to leave a comment.

I am an awful traveller, get sick in cars and planes. Until recently, I made a huge fuss and took ages to pack. Now I take as little as possible and find it much easier.

I am a Leo so as a fellow fire sign, I like my life to be vibrant and colourful and that's how I have made my home. I live in a very beautiful city (Edinburgh in Scotland) and often find it hard to leave.

Anyway, good to meet you and looking forward to reading more about life in South Africa.

[kirstyphysio]

I love travelling - but one of the best things about travelling is coming home! The sweet, familiar smell of home. Nothing can beat that after an extended time away. Makes me appreciate things more once I'm back, but I do love to go and see new places and things! The world is such an exciting place and I just can't miss out on that!

[kate]

Same same same same.
Never been overseas.
Having little kids makes me love being home even more.

[kathleen999]

I love traveling but coming home is nice too.

Sounds like the desire not to leave your comfortable surroundings might be part of the sensory thing?

[Stefanie]

Well, since our bdays are 1 day apart, you know how I feel. I hate being away!

[Dana]

I am a Sagittarius of the traveling type. I have been to 33 countries; lived in 4. Cover my eyes and drop me in an unknown place and you have a happy gal! I used to travel on a budget and did not mind; I am getting a 5* traveler as I get older, which makes things more complicated sometimes but equally delicious… Anyway, security and comfort is overrated. Adventure and excitement make me feel alive and young…

[Charles in HK]

O please, quit yer bitchin' and come visit us in Hong Kong!

[sarah]

I can relate--sometimes are easier than others. Camping makes me really homesick. Luxury hotels, for a short time, are a nice distraction.

[Lindsay]

DITTO! I thought it was just me BUT I LOVE being at home, it's comfortable, beautiful and my special haven. I also HATE the unpacking after a holiday. Sleep tight in your own, comfortable bed!

[kb]

Fellow travel hating Sag here too!

[Peggy]

Sagittarius here too. And I'm the same way. I enjoy vacation but I get homesick even with husband and kids with me. I just miss my comfort zone.

[Bev]

My son is a sag too and he is such a little homing pigeon it is quite scary. He hates change too... (unless of course it's money - THAT he loves!)

[Paul Jacobson]

I used to think I was a real travel bunny (yes, a Sag too) but the travel was only great when I was single and had a girl in each port (more wishful thinking at the time although occasionally true). Now that I am married and have a gorgeous little boy and 3 loving puppies I don't like being away from home for too long.

I am going to Japan in July for almost 2 weeks and although it has been a dream of mine to visit Japan, I am almost dreading the trip because I'll be away from home for so long. For me, I find that travel still excites me but being home with my family and my stuff mostly trumps the travel bug. I'm ok with day trips and maybe an overnighter but much more than that starts to bug me.

[Cat]

I'm also a Sag but have to travel, even if it is just 1 hour away for one night. Having the babies have compromised this terribly - can not believe I've just spend two long weekends only being at home! But also looove my home - just so nice to come back to after a trip.