Taking Off

I feel as though I can call myself a seasoned traveller.  

"Seasoned" might actually be pushing it a little; but I have been to a number of places, taken a trip or several and collected more miles, dirt and sweat than others from my background.  So in that content "seasoned" applies, in the greater National Geographic content it does not.  But we're looking here, small, at me, so back to the point and away from this rant, I'm now a seasoned traveller!

Tomorrow I leave for my 3rd trip of 2012* and head back to SE Asia to take a wander through Vietnam and Cambodia!  I'm packed.  I'm ready.  And this time I did it all with plenty of time and lots of space in my pack to spare!

I'm really excited!!  I am... excited, but there seems to be a bit of lack.  

A lack of... euphoria, I guess.  I haven't been to Nam or Cam before so I should be thrilled!  But I can't seem to muster up a lasting intoxicating frenzy that has my emotions spiraling out of control as I count down the hours till my departure.

Why?!  Why is that?! 

Everything is packed.  Everything is planned.  Everything is booked.

It has nothing to do with fears of things going wrong or amiss while traveling.  I'm an incredible planner (100% patting myself on the back there!  I can plan a two week trip in a day.  No lies), so I'm not concerned regarding that.

Then what's left to account for the lack?

Oh.  I know.  It's because this is my 3rd trip.  Nam and Cam with be the 6th and 7th Asian countries I've visited**.   And I'm taking it all for granted.

Asia is my backyard - it is my sandbox.  I've collected up all my toys and laid them out nicely; but istead of using them and battering them up, I am now just looking at them.  Well these countries aren't my toys, and I can't keep them and any minute I get to explore their landscape and take in their culture should be a moment, an hour, a day that I'm spiraling out of control with happiness in my new discoveries.

So that is what I will do! 

I will give myself over - my thoughts, feelings and heart and think more of the notion of reclaiming travel.

I will not take it for granted!  I will treasure it and learn from it and let it lead me to discover what it will about myself and the places and people around me. 

*(1) Malaysia and Thailand, (2) America, (3) Vietnam and Cambodia
**(1) Korea, (2) China, (3) Japan, (4) Malaysia, (5) Thailand, (6) Vietnam, (7) Cambodia