The 'what if' and fear of travelling

March 12 2012 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #Albert Camas, #DiverseTraveller.com - Women Who Travel, Write, Snap & Share, #Fear, #fear and traveling, #fear and travelling, #feel fear and do it anyway, #travel, #Travel quote, #Travel Write Now (stories and news), #travel writing, #traveling, #travelling, #what if

Often when the day of departure arrives, the thrill of travelling is replaced with fear. Suddenly the confident traveller, that I am, is replaced by one riddled with doubts, asking myself perhaps I should cancel and stay at home, preferably in my warm bed.

Feeling the fear

Safe under my duvet, I remind myself that apprehension is natural, and haven't I travelled many times, embracing the challenges along the way, and most importantly survived to travel another day - today? But I can't get my mind to co-operate, instead, scenarios of all the negative things that could happen to me flash across the screen in my mind. Such as, stranded at the airport, because I forgot my passport; arriving at the check-in desk too late due to delays on public transport; landing in the middle of the night with not a taxi in sight; not being able to make myself understood, and worst being abused and taunted by some of the locals. I pause and tell myself not to be a drama queen, after all those things have happened, and fortunately, I have found ways to cope, and once safe and happy, these are the experiences that make my travel writing more interesting.

By the time, I have banished the fear, and am admonishing myself, for being such a scardy-cat, my clock alarm goes off, it's time. But once out of bed, my fears return, and for the hundredth time, I find myself re-checking - my bag making sure my passport and boarding pass are where they should be, that my luggage meets the legislated height and weight, and that I have the address, email and directions for my accommodation.

Fear loves company

By now you're probably itching to slap me back to common sense, but before you do, ask yourself, if a few days before leaving home, you have been in my travelling shoes? Remember to those times when a tiny bit of fear has invaded your feelings of exhilaration and anticipation; the times when you have thought, perhaps my friends and family are right, I am not the type of person who can live without mod cons?

Even if you don't want to admit your travel fears, I know I am not alone in acknowledging fear as part of my travel luggage, Nobel Prize Laureate Albert Camas wrote about this subject in his book Notebooks 1935-1942 (Volume 1) ...

"What gives value to travel is fear. It is the fact that at a certain moment, when we are so far from own country we are seized by a vague fear, and an instinctive desire to go back to the protection of old habits. This is the most obvious benefit of travel. At that moment we are feverish but also porous, so that the slightest touch makes us quiver to the depths of our being. We come across a cascade of light, and there is eternity. This is why we should not say that we travel for pleasure."