Pre-travel nerves

Friday, December 9, 2016 Permalink

I recall – over a decade and a half ago – feeling quite smug and superior when I’d see beginner-travellers stressing over their arrival and departure forms and approaching customs and immigration officials with great trepidation. At the time I was an old hand as I’d been travelling overseas for a few years; and when living in East Timor, I was back and forward quite often.

Airports, lounges, customs, immigration and associated paperwork were all so passé.

Then.

So it’s kinda funny now that so many years later I feel a bit like a beginner-traveller again; nervous about getting through the barriers between my country and another as I travel to New Zealand this weekend.

I was a late starter and first travelled overseas in 1995. I worked in developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific so was prepared for all sorts of shenanigans. I’d heard about overseas officials questioning prescription drugs and taking things from one’s luggage. I was prepared for the worst.

However… in all of those years of travel the only trouble I’ve ever had with customs / immigration was returning to Australia from Africa in 1996 when I was singled out to be searched and grilled by an overbearing and seemingly angry official. He questioned my time in Africa, flicked through my diary and looked through my photographs. It was quite bizarre and he suddenly gave up after searching just one of my three bags.

I’d declared some timber products and when the quarantine guy came over to examine them it happened that he was from my hometown and knew my family. I looked at the customs / immigration guy as if to say, “See, I’m a good kid from a nice family.” But – of course – he couldn’t have cared less.

I travelled a lot after that and had no further troubles (probably later helped by my official and then diplomatic passports), but I last travelled overseas in 2002… when I spent a year in the private sector and made half a dozen trips to Pacific Islands for projects I was managing.

At the time I was sick of travel and have done as little as possible ever since… and (as a result) am now *possibly* a little travel-shy. I mean, I’m thinking about how to dress for my flight and that’s certainly something I’d stopped doing many years ago.

I’m actually only away for 4-5 days as I’m making a long-promised visit to my bestie in Christchurch. The trip is more about seeing her and her partner than touristy stuff but I think what worries me is that I’ve done no preparation or planning for the trip and figure I’ll wing it.

It’s hard – however – not to stress a little. I’m old school and accustomed to paper tickets and boarding documents so don’t fully understand how people use their phones to board flights and have been reading recently about online departure documents and the like. I mean, it’s so long since I’ve travelled I’m not even accustomed to having to select my seats in advance!

I admit I’m slightly embarrassed to be slightly nervous (nervexcited perhaps?) about the travel and hope it’s like riding a bike. Or something.

Are you a seasoned traveller? Have you had a break from travel and felt strange when you started afresh?

* pic from unsplash.com

22 Comments
  • Jo
    December 9, 2016

    Have a fabulous visit, Deb… Who knows? You could get the bug again!

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2016

      Ha perhaps, but sadly my budget now precludes much travel… although I am contemplating a writers / readers festival in Australia next year, so that will involve a flight and hotels!

  • Jan Wild
    December 9, 2016

    You can do this. Relax and enjoy.

  • Emma
    December 9, 2016

    Have a wonderful trip. I travel two or three times a year as my husband is from the states so there are family visits. I never stop stressing though or checking for my passport!

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2016

      *Runs off to check passport is in bag*

  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    December 9, 2016

    I haven’t been overseas since 2000 and would be exactly the same. At least NZ is a good place to revitalise your travelling nous. It’s practically Australia. Have a wonderful, safe trip 🙂

    • Bec
      December 9, 2016

      You mean Australia is practically New Zealand don’t you Pinky?

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2016

      Very true Michelle. I still remember when I lived in Africa and my mother said she got to understand what it was like for me… using different money and having trouble understanding people. (Though she did realise they were still speaking english!!!)

  • Mel Kettle
    December 9, 2016

    Can totally relate – I had a 6 day trip to NZ a few years ago to visit friends. I had the first 3 nights on my own in Auckland and I was horrified by how anxious I was. It was my first solo trip overseas in about 15 years and my first trip OS in about 3 years. Fortunately as soon as I got on the plane I was fine (Emirates Business Class helped with that!) and I had a brilliant time! Look forward to hearing how yours is xx

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2016

      Oh yes… I used to get to travel business class for work (internationally) so was somewhat spoilt back in those days…. Will be slumming it at the back of the plane this trip!

  • sarahdipity.com.au
    December 9, 2016

    I’m a nervous traveller. Enjoy New Zealand, I hear it’s a beautiful place x

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2016

      I went to the south island in 1999 in winter and it was certainly gorgeous. Will be interesting to see it in summer. (But I’m happy it’s cold in Christchurch!)

  • Kathryn
    December 9, 2016

    You’ll ace it! Enjoy.

    • Debbish
      December 12, 2016

      Thanks Kathryn. Am here now and having a great time! And yes, customs and immigration were a breeze – and so much is automated now it’s weird!

  • Jess
    December 10, 2016

    I can totally relate! I travelled a lot.in my early 20S I get more nervous travelling now then I did then! Someone asked me something about a travel destination recently and I questioned why they asked me for advice, since I never feel like I go.anywhere. They said because you have always loved travel, made me miss my old life a bit!

    • Debbish
      December 12, 2016

      I felt a bit of deja vu when I was filling in my departure card Jess as it’s really not changed since my very regular trips to and fro in the late 90s and early 2000s.

  • Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
    December 10, 2016

    We call that kind of stress ‘travel fever’ when the stress is actually as much excitement about the upcoming trip as it is actual stress about traveling. And it’s funny that you’re kind of back to thinking of how to dress for the plane, when before you didn’t do that at all. My mom always tells me to dress nicely for a flight, whereas I just want to be comfy! Sweatpants or stretchy jeans all the way – especially for long flights where I’ll be in a smallish seat for hours.
    I hope you’ll have a great time with your friend! And please take some NZ pictures to share with us – it’s on my bucket list of places to visit…

    • Debbish
      December 12, 2016

      I’ll try Lexxie, but I’ve been very slack on the photographic front so far…

  • Greg Hill
    December 11, 2016

    When I worked at my old company I had to travel a bit for work but not to much now- I do think you get used to “not” traveling after a while and then have to gear up for it again lol. And mine didn’t involve overseas stuff, just in the States. So I totally get it though. anyway hope you have a great trip and enjoy seeing your friend- hope everything goes swimmingly. 🙂

    • Debbish
      December 12, 2016

      I must admit I became really reticent to even travel within Australia after I left aid and development work. Even flying intrastate for work seemed like too much of a hassle.

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