I was talking to my mum recently and she said I should write about travel. I of course said no one wants to read about travel anymore when they can’t travel or make any travel plans. But I have to admit, travel has been on my mind lately. But its never the fancy travel although to be honest, I am not a luxury traveller. Its a small incident, a moment, a random conversation that sticks to you and makes up my travel memories.
I don’t even remember what we were talking about but I started thinking about our trip to Cuba. Cuba was a revelation. I had not lived a life like that – the kind of life you live in Cuba. In hindsight, I realise it says so much and brings up so much of our privilege and this is what I wanted to talk about.
We stayed in this really lovely Airbnb in Havana. It was a nice comfortable room and we had no complains. The couple who rented out the rooms to us were absolutely lovely. They got us cigars to try, introduced us to their dogs and we chatted easily. It was in our second or third night there we realised that we had basically taken up their main bedroom. We eventually didn’t end up seeing where they lived but I can imagine it was not the most comfortable.
The second ‘wow – I was so obnoxious’ moment was during breakfast one day. Our hosts gave us breakfast in the morning and it was great. We had some fruit, bread, eggs – general breakfast items. And I asked for ketchup or tomato sauce to eat with the omelette.
I got the ketchup 3 days later. This is not a complaint but I realised for her to get the ketchup she had to order it in the store, wait for it to come and then pick it up again later. And for me personally, it was a completely flippant request. I put no thought into it or didn’t think it was a big deal. Ketchup was something I always had in the pantry or could walk to the Tesco opposite my flat and get a bottle.
When the lady explained this to me, it completely blew my mind. And made me feel so guilty.
Honestly, its not something I need to be guilty about – its just a different life but this is what I love about travel. Small instances teach you so much.
Anyway, this post is it. Its not meant to do anything but just be a casual ramble about travel – something I desperately miss now. I am trying to make myself feel better by making travel bucket list. I am hoping I will at least cover the UK bucket list this year! Would love to hear from you guys to see what you have learnt or an incident or moment from your travels that made a big impression. Also, it really helps out if you like my post if you share it on social media or tell a friend about it – I am grateful. You can repin this on Pinterest as well!
– Anisha
I miss travelling too. I can not wait till I can go again! Such a great read! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading!
Such a great read. I cannot wait to go on a holiday.
Thank you for sharing.
Oh – thank you! Same here. So many great memories from holidays.
I really enjoyed reading this post. It’s so different in every country isn’t it. What we may consider poor here is wealth in another country. It’s so relative. The cost of living is so different. What we can do is be sensitive to other countries and cultures and be mindful when we travel. We are so lucky be be able to travel we should never take it for granted. We had 2 travels cancelled due to lockdown and it’s one of the things I miss most, it’s what I have always looked forward to, more than anything. I don’t think I ever took it for granted but I realised how much more important to me it is. Luxury travel is nice but I prefer backpacking style travel, I feel I get a better experience.
So true. And there are so many things we take for granted and don’t even realise. I know – I feel bad complaining about travel but I do miss it so much. Also really wanting to go home and I don’t know when I will be able to do that next.
Definitely, traveling is currently, an offbeat. Waiting up front to be on those traveloholic era again. Enjoyed reading your incident on ketchup, Anisha.
Thank you Reena. Its such a simple thing but really made me think.