I’m going to risk sounding slightly ungrateful or whiney—though perhaps other long term travelers will understand—in an attempt to bring some resolution to the way I am feeling today. I woke up this morning to this view:
(note, I took this with the iPad, just now. No extra care was taken, it looks more beautiful in real life).
It’s gorgeous right? I mean, more gorgeous than usual. Yet somehow my reaction to it was meh-ish. Vick thinks this might be the most stunning place we have been so far, but I am more interested in a nap and maybe a few days of book reading than going for a hike or zip line.
I knew the moment I started thinking about it that I was suffering from a mild case of travel fatigue. This is common enough for travelers and tends to be the result of over stimulation, homesickness, and/or repeated culture shock. Each of these has touched me to some extent but the over stimulation has been the most significant. Every few days we pull into a new harbor, gape at the unbelievable surroundings, and then have chain-social-events until we collapse into our berths. I meet a new cool cruiser every few days and wish that I could spend a week or two getting to know them, but then we are off again or other friends stop by and my attention is split. Split once, twice, thrice… and so on until I feel stretched as thin as a nanotube, at once greater and yet so minute.
So that’s how I’m feeling currently. My plan of attack is to try to minimize side trips, maximize chilling out, and try to remain present when that fails. In two weeks we will be back in La Cruz where I can fall into some sort of routine, see our good friends from California, and stay put for a month or so before heading out to the South Pacific. I would love to say that I planned it this way, but I guess I am just lucky.
If you are suffering from a similar funk, you might like to check out these two blogs.
10 Ways to Kick Travel Fataigue’s Ass
and
Slowing the Pace of Travel
7 comments
Comment by ForgeOver via Facebook
ForgeOver via Facebook January 16, 2012 at 11:58 am
Yup, there was a little burp. Fixed now. 🙂
Comment by Melinda
Melinda January 16, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Love your blog, it helps me through these cold, winter days in Nevada City. I want to make sure you and the crew stop in Barra and Tenacatita. We anchor in the Barra Lagoon and the north part of Tenacatita Bay. Enjoy!
Melinda
s/v Daydreams
B Dock
Emerycove
Comment by Victoria
Victoria January 17, 2012 at 6:24 am
Melinda, we spent two nights in Tenacatitia and five nights in Barra. We definitely didn’t get enough of Tenacatitia and need to go back! We want to explore La Manzanilla from there too. I love getting your comments! Thanks!
Comment by behan
behan January 16, 2012 at 2:22 pm
I understand this so well. You all have really had a pace on, so it is really, really understandable! This is a big part of the reason our initial “plans” (hahahahaha! I said Plans!) to make it through central america and then head for the South Pac via the Galapagos turned into…let’s stay in Mexico for a year and a half instead. 😉
Comment by Tucker Bradford
Tucker Bradford January 17, 2012 at 7:49 am
Thanks for the solidarity Behan! I took it easier yesterday and hope to chill some more today. I’m really looking forward to La Cruz and a little more routine.
Comment by dtravelsround
dtravelsround January 16, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Thank you for including the link to my piece! The best thing to do when you’re burned out is to chill out, and then change your scenery. And, perhaps, go and meet some new people to breathe a little appreciation/fresh air into your day. Safe travels!!
Comment by Diane
Diane January 20, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Tucker–it really can be exhausting. I’ve looked at what you guys have done and have been amazed. We are so much slower and still get burnt out now and again. Or biggest recharge is actually family time–I’m a huge socializer so when I’m tired I know it’s time for the three of us to hit an anchorage on our own and just chill: walks, books, evening movies. Then I’m good for another few hundred miles:)
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