I’ve taken hundreds of flights over the years, so I must be a pro by now right? At least that’s what I always tell myself when I book an overnight flight and then pack my schedule for the day that I’m arriving – it doesn’t matter because of course I’m going to sleep the whole way, so used to flying that I am.
Yet here I sit at 3 am, on my third really bad in-flight movie too hyped up on duty free chocolate to think about trying to get some sleep.
I’m maybe not that great at this travel thing. But I compensate by telling myself that I am, that I’ve totally got this. I might tell myself a few other white lies too.
Sleeping at an airport is a good idea
I don’t sleep at airports as often now as I did in my backpacking days, but every once in a while when I have a late arrival and early departure I decide that it won’t be worth the hassle to get a hotel room.
It is always worth the hassle to get a hotel room. While trying to save money is a pretty good excuse for a poor night’s sleep, not bothering to get a hotel is a good excuse to spend all night hating my dumb, lazy self.
I’ll totally go out and do stuff my first evening in a place
Sleep always wins.
I won’t get jet lag this time
Sleep always wins.
I need to pack this super cute, yet totally impractical outfit
In fact pretending that I’m going to wear anything but that same one pair of jeans and one dress is just foolish.
I’m going to get loads of work/reading/trip planning done on the airplane
Like how I was going to finish this blog post on the airplane but instead am typing it up in my hotel’s restaurant so I can get back to the beach!
I’m going to brush up on my French, Russian, or whatever language I need before my trip
Before coming to the Comoros I did the French placement test on Duolingo, but I think I only actually completed three lessons after that. I definitely regretted not being a better language student when someone asked me in French how I was enjoying Moheli and what I had done here, and I could only answer, “I saw whale, I’m scared.”
I’m definitely brushing up on my Japanese (spoiler!!) for my next trip though, I swear.
Seriously though.
Like really.
I’m going to eat healthy and do Pilates in my hotel room every night
When I’m traveling I always indulge in all the yummy food because I know I’ll eat healthier when I get home, except once I get home I have to indulge in all the yummy food I couldn’t get while abroad – but it doesn’t matter because soon I’ll be off on another trip, where I’ll be super active and get tons of exercise.
Right.
I’m going to wake up early every morning
Lol
This time I won’t be whatever I’m currently feeling insecure about
I don’t know why I tell myself I’ll become a totally different person while abroad, because I never do. And hello, that’s okay!
I won’t miss Dan at all
Ugh this one is so dumb. I’m perfectly happy to plan trips without Dan – I’ve been on something like seven 2-3 week trips without him this year – but I haven’t yet figured out how to keep myself from missing him every single day I’m away. Gross.
I’m definitely coming back here
This is one of the lies I have to tell myself, otherwise I would never manage to leave any of my new favorite places (aka pretty much everywhere I visit).
Of course I hope that I do make it back to all the places I’ve loved, and I have been to some of my favorite places over and over, but my mission to never leave a place for the last time is doomed to fail.
What about you?
Nynke says
Aww & LOL! Please try not to do that scheduled filling during jetlag thing when you go to Japan (squee!). I liked the duolingo app for learning Japanese (I got beyond halfway!), but it might be too basic for someone who used to be fluent – no, wait, that’s what those placement tests are for, right? Lucky you :).
And please do keep missing Dan – it’s a sign of a healthy relationship! But it does make visiting exotic and other offline locations more intense, that’s for sure…
Silvia says
Oh wow, halfway through Japanese is impressive! I’ve forgotten the simplest words, so I will definitely need to be starting from the beginning. Hopefully it will then all come rushing back though?
Jordan says
These are so true – especially getting work done on the plane (never happens!!!). But I do tend to be a bit more productive on trains 😉 Also, I always tell myself that I can handle this 6:00 am flight and I’m always dead the entire day!
Silvia says
Yeah, I’m actually really productive on trains and buses, which I guess is why I always think I will be on the flight too. But I never am.
Joella says
Ha yeah I always say I’ll definitely go back somewhere but I hardly ever do. There are just too many places to go. And jetlag ugh- we had it so bad at the start of our UK trip. Two weeks later and we’ve just got rid of it in time to return to California at the end of the week! Looking forward to see you go back to Japan (if I’ve understood your hint properly haha).
Silvia says
Seriously, my travel list is never ending with all the old and new places I want to go!
Aunt LaVerne says
I think your Aunt LaVerne should travel with you to keep you from telling yourself literally white lies😁😉
Still love your blogs and adventures. I want to be you in one of my future lives😁
Silvia says
Oooh I agree, I definitely need my Aunt Laverne with me on my next trip!
Aunt LaVerne says
I should proofread my comments beforehand posting, oops
Ioanna says
😀 Those are really good!
I share with you the one about early mornings 😉 “I will hit the trail before 10am” 😉
“I will take more detailed notes on every trail right away in the evening”
“I will do some short hiking trips or other forms of exercising between big treks”
😀
Silvia says
I really wish I could get up earlier…
Arielle says
“I’m going to get loads of work/reading/trip planning done on the airplane”
Yeah, I’m probably just gonna end up listening to a couple podcasts and Hozier on repeat.
Silvia says
Haha right? Every time.
Kate - Travel for Difference says
My favourite part of this post was about getting lots of work done on the plane. I always tell myself I’m going to do that… But movies always win!
Silvia says
Working the entire flight always seems like the best plan! Until I get on the plane and see the movies on offer.
Kelsey says
I tell myself these same lies all the time! This post had me cracking up, thanks for your amazing content!
Silvia says
So it’s not just me!
قیمت تور کیش says
There are just too many places to go. And jetlag ugh- we had it so bad at the start of our UK trip.
Silvia says
Ugh, jetlag destroys me every time
Hanna says
Languages and healthy lifestyle… And that I will make weekend trips and sightseeing in the city when I live somewhere and I will spend less than 7 hours a day by my computer. Mhm, yup. Of course.
Some things are just not meant to be! 😀
Silvia says
Haha glad I’m not the only one at least!
Nisha says
I read your tips lies about travel. It is a very amazing and interesting blog. I really like it. And your information is very helpful for me. Thanks
Victoria @TheBritishBerliner says
Ha! Ha! Ha!
I so get you. How many times have I said I’m going to get loads of work done on the train or while my husband and son are sleeping?
Firstly, the wifi on the train is always so spotty, if you can get any at all. I travel to Eastern Europe a lot, and even though they sell wifi in their advertising, there’s not so much as a plug, not to talk of internet access!
Secondly, at the end of the day on our travels, while my husband indulges in a late glass or two of wine, and our teenage son is watching youtube until midnight, I’m usually the first to be snoring away!
So like, never!
Carly Hulls says
Bahahah I’m always SO convinced that flights are this magical place where I’m the most productive human ever and will get all my blog posts and freelance work 100% done, because it’s like 8 ‘free’ hours to work…..yeah nah never works haha. Glad I’m not alone in this delusion!
Silvia says
Haha glad it’s not just me!
Alka says
Dialects and solid way of life… And that I will make end of the week treks and touring in the city when I live some place and I will spend under 7 hours every day by my PC. Mhm, that is correct. Obviously.
Melissa says
I tell myself I will limit my coffee drinking to one per day so I will sleep better.
Well, I used to tell myself that. Now I gave up because something I love most when I travel is being in a cafe with a beautiful view or has a beautiful or interesting route to walk to it. My replacement lie is that it does not matter if I don’t sleep well because no work next day so I can read instead or sit on balcony and look at night view. Last thing I feel like doing is getting out of bed in middle of night and doing anything. But, will just get myself out of bed if can’t sleep on next trip and enjoy atmosphere of place in the night time quietness, or is that a lie, hopefully not…