Lessons from My Worst Travel Experiences

Traveling with Problems

My worst vacation was with one of my exes. Our relationship was not the best at all. We went for a 2-week vacation, and I hoped it would improve our relationship. However, I was seriously disappointed. He was highly offended by the smallest things and showed a condescending attitude. Moreover, he still spent two hours a week online with his female friend. There were times when he didn't speak to me for a long period, even saying he had nothing left to say. As the vacation wore on, I felt increasingly anxious and had a lot of negative feelings. Fortunately, I was incredibly relieved when I finally returned home, and we ended our relationship soon after.

This situation highlighted the importance of compatibility and mutual efforts in a relationship before planning a long-term vacation. My advice is to wait at least half a year when you are together with someone before taking a significant trip to ensure there is a solid foundation for a successful and enjoyable trip.

Adjusting to New Climates

Another travel experience that I deemed to be one of the worst was when I visited the UK from New Zealand. It started well, but I quickly fell ill with the flu during my flight. The symptoms lingered and only subsided once I returned home. Additionally, adjusting to the time difference (jet-lag) proved to be a major challenge, making the experience even more disappointing. This holiday was the most pitiful and annoying one I've ever had.

Further adding to the misery was a coughing woman on the first flight, which complicated my already difficult situation. By the time we reached the UK, I was already jet-lagged. The week before the wedding, I fell ill, and during the event itself, it was windy, and I nearly suffered from hypothermia. My return trip was a mere repeat of my initial experience, leaving me still sick and exhausted by the time I arrived. The experience rated a disappointing zero out of ten. If I could travel back in time, I would definitely avoid this trip for the flu.

It's clear that getting sick and dealing with challenging weather conditions can significantly degrade a travel experience. Ensuring good health and being prepared for diverse weather and climate conditions are crucial before setting out on a journey.

Upcoming Misfortunes

Looking ahead to this fall, I have two trips that I dread. One is a wedding trip for my son-in-law, where I won't know many people, and the only ones I do know are from my wife’s former husband's side of the family. There will be a lot of drinking, and I am a recovering alcoholic. This trip sounds like a nightmare.

The other trip involves traveling to Atlanta to spread my father’s ashes. Even though this trip has a significant personal purpose, my family is known for their neurotic nature, and I hate Atlanta due to its unbearable heat, crowds, and traffic. In this case, I've found myself thinking that enduring four root canals would be preferable to this trip. Each of these trips seems destined to be a disaster.

Based on these experiences, it's essential to carefully consider the logistics and personal factors of a trip before deciding to go. Ensuring comfort, health, and a supportive environment are key to enjoying any travel experience.