I recently made a cross country trip, and it was overall a great time. However, getting back and forth between two places isn't always easy, especially when you're flying part of the way and then traveling in a car the rest of the way. Here are a few of the downfalls of long distance travel. If you've traveled anywhere outside your hometown or the state where you live, you've probably encountered most of these.
Over-packing - you tell yourself that you'll need options, but end up not wearing the extra clothes you packed (and you definitely should have listened to Rory Gilmore).
Needing multiple pairs of shoes for different things while you're traveling, but needing more room in your suitcase.
Early flights - arguably the worst.
Struggling not to get angry when people try to talk to you when you have headphones in.
Wanting to call out the person next to you on the plane when they elbow you constantly.
Waiting for the WiFi sign to turn on while in flight.
Discovering that in-flight WiFi is $5.99 for 30 minutes and $17+ for a day pass, and deciding that WiFi for a day is not worth more than an hour of your income at work.
Looking at the free movies that are offered in-flight and seeing that they are all terrible.
Crying babies on the flight, or people who talk too loudly in the confined space of a plane.
Turbulence. The worst part of the flight itself.
When your first flight is late and makes you run to your connecting flight.
Having to grab your gate-checked suitcase when you're already late for that connecting flight.
Not having enough snacks to keep you from being hungry. The pretzels on the plane are never enough, don't lie to yourself.
The feeling of despair when all the charging stations are being used and your phone is at 10%.
Airport food prices - enough said.
Lack of food options near your gate - or they're mostly sit down restaurants that you don't have enough time for...
...but you still try to get some snacks.
Hearing someone near you cough and knowing your inevitable fate.
Being homesick.
The anticipation of waiting for your flight to go home on the last day of vacation; the wait seems endless, and you start thinking ridiculous thoughts.
Jet lag.
Getting home, dreading unpacking and doing laundry.
When your room looks like it exploded because clothes and other travel items are everywhere.
Missing living out of a suitcase, because limited items sometimes make life so much easier.
And of course, wishing you were still on vacation when you finally make it back home.
Safe travels! And remember that for every annoying thing about traveling, there's something that's amazing, like seeing new places, and coming home with souveniers!
