TWENTY SIGNS YOU ARE A TRAVEL ADDICT

It has been ten years since my travel obsession started. I wasn’t brought up in a family where we travelled to far flung destinations on a regular basis. I am still trying to figure out where the travel addict in me has come from. Since leaving university, I have been working as a nurse in the UK.

It’s such a great job to have because it fits in so well with travelling. Bunching long shifts together allows for a straight run of days off, meaning I have travelled extensively without quitting my job. In truth, I wasn’t too keen on having kids young. I honestly thought that would be the end of my lifestyle. I had always thought 35 would be the age we would start a family.

Here we are now aged 33 with two kids that we love and adore (obviously). In true travel addict style, it has been quite the opposite. With two kids under fours years old, I surprised myself in travelling to over 40 countries across six continents with both of them since they were newborns.

As you may already know, I’ve used my maternity to travel twice! Don’t worry I don’t intend on continuously producing off-spring for the sake of a year off work to travel. Two kids is plenty, we have no intentions of being outnumbered.

We are just coming to the end of our gap year and Im taking notes of little things that only someone who is obsessed with travel could relate to. Here are some signs you are a travel addict !!!!

Passport stamps are like an orgasm ~ I have to admit I get very excited for a new stamp in my passport. I examine it, look at it lovingly and feel very proud to be filling all of the pages. I flick through it more times than I count, reminding myself of the many adventures. This is SO sad!

In Europe, they don’t give you stamps if you have a European passport. I beg them to please give me a stamp! Sometimes they say no, and sometimes they can see its like giving a child candy, so they give in. 

Map obsession ~ Its real, I am absolutely obsessed with maps. There is always one on my wall (when I have a home that is). Everyone buys me gifts that have something to do with maps, wether it is a scratch map to keep track of all my adventures, or a diary with the globe on it. I am forever dreaming of adventures to new places and taking screen shots of continents to examine on my phone.

You always have a holiday booked ~ Is it totally ridiculous that I haven’t even got home from my year away and I am already booking flights? Despite my credit card being maxed out? It feels wrong not having something booked, I literally can’t help myself.

SIGNS YOU ARE A TRAVEL ADDICT

You pack like a pro ~ I honestly look at people with multiple suitcases and think what the hell have you got in that? I can’t understand why people overpack. This has become even more pertinent since having kids.

I have to carry a kid on my back usually, so, there is no way I am dragging lots of extra stuff around. I love a packing cube, a vacuum bag, a light weight towel, I have all the gadgets to pack like a pro!

Air miles guru ~ I have the credit card, the companion vouchers, I know every trick and trade to do with air miles. If there is anything that can assist with getting free or discounted flights, I know about it. Cheap skate or air miles guru? Hmmmm

It’s not a holiday ~ I find people often confuse the word holiday and travel. I mean that doesn’t bother me. However, for me, the two have a different meaning. A holiday is about relaxation and unwinding. Whereas travel is not always relaxing, its about seeing and doing as much as possible.

Experiencing the culture and getting into the community! My dad often says to me “you are on a permanent holiday”. If only he could experience how much hard work it is to take a 24 hour bus across Peru, to catch a flight, and then a taxi to see Machu Picchu. You get me?

SIGNS YOU ARE A TRAVEL ADDICT

You have friends all over the world ~ My friends are literally sprawled all over the place. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK and Ireland to name a few. My bestie is Ethiopian, married to a Swedish man and our wedding had people from just about everywhere.

We have met so many good friends from travelling. The hardest part is not seeing them all regularly. That is the only downfall. Otherwise its pretty nice to have a place to stay in so many countries. Oh and did I mention my husband is from New Zealand and I am from Ireland? Literally opposite ends of the planet!

You prefer experiences rather than gifts ~ Talking of friends and family, they all know not to buy us physical gifts. Experiences are everything. My parents bought me Ryaniar vouchers for every birthday and Christmas throughout my twenties. It meant I have seen almost every country in Europe. Only Andorra left!

You don’t watch movies on the aeroplane ~ We already mentioned map obsessions. Is it just me, or do you consistently watch the aeroplane GPS map?

Your wallet is full of random currency ~ I just looked in my wallet. I found GBP, NZD, Argentinian and Indonesian money. If it’s not in the wallet, I’m always finding it in random places around the house.

SIGNS YOU ARE A TRAVEL ADDICT

Your a sunset and sunrise chaser ~ I see jet lag as an opportunity to see the sun rise! I am never ordinarily out of the bed at that time, so why not? Travel is all about the sunrise and sunset over beautiful landscapes. We have some of our fondest memories of travelling. Wether its a beer on the beach in the evening with the glowing orange sky, or an early morning trek to the top of a temple in Angkor Wat.

Travel envy is real ~ Despite sitting in Bali, a dream destination for most, I still look at Instagram and think oh my godddd I want to go there!!

You can name the capitals of most countries ~ Maybe its from map staring, or layovers in weird and wonderful places, but naming the capitals of a country is a strong point for any travel addict.

Travel partners are important ~ When picking my life partner, a mutual love of travel was one of my highest priorities. Of course, hubby has lots of other amazing qualities, but I feel so lucky that he is on board with adventure, and even more so that he sees it as an education for our kids! 

SIGNS YOU ARE A TRAVEL ADDICT

You love photography ~ Although I love to think I am present in the moment of new experiences, we love capturing everything on video our in a photo. We have lots of equipment and its one of the few things we are materialistic about. Photos are one of our most prized possessions.

Kids won’t stop you ~ Being a parent travel blogger, its only right to finish off with this one. Kids won’t stop anyone that loves travelling. On a personal level, I wanted my kids to be a reflection of me, so, we just incorporated them into our way of life. 

Does this post about being a travel addict resonate with you? Leave comment, I would love to hear from you.

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