When Travel Feels More Like Home Than Home Itself
After a month-long trip to Canada, it feels weirdly strange to be back at home. It’s like being home in South Africa, the place I grew up, now feels like the travel destination instead of feeling like I’ve come home. I got so used to the day to day life over there much quicker than I expected. Even though we were obviously moving around a lot, we still kind of had a ‘home base’ that we came back to after each little adventure. That small sense of routine quickly became what felt normal as if, to me, it was never going to end. But of course, it did.
The weird disconnect my brain has with flying
Part of the strangeness I think starts with how my brain processes, or doesn’t process, flying across the world - maybe from a bit of undiagnosed neurodivergence, but who knows. It feels so surreal to me when we fly. Seeing the plane before boarding and everything just kinda doesn’t feel real, like it’s just a large toy and all just a show. Of course I don’t believe that and I understand the science of flying and planes, but I still don’t think it really sinks in (even though it was a grueling total of about 21 hours of flight time). After just about a day in Canada it just felt like we were a neighborhood away or something, like my brain had erased the flight and I could just drive a little to get around the corner to my house or something.
Life Abroad vs. Life at home
My brain only really seems to focus on what’s right in front of me. When we were there in Canada it almost felt like home didn’t exist. It was surprising how quickly I got used to a lifestyle that wasn’t really mine; Riding the train, catching buses, walking around at night and trying local foods. It all felt very natural and almost, permanent.
The Thrill of Childlike Discovery
Maybe what it really was is the spark of discovery. Canada was the first country I ever visited outside of South Africa and the jump between “third world” and “first world” living is obviously massive.
It was a bunch of little things that excited me and gave me that sense of childlike curiosity again:
Trying Wendy’s for the first time or just walking through a Walmart.
Seeing all the groceries that is so different and yet familiar because of Hollywood and Youtube media; protein milks, craft sodas, chocolate bars, gum, creamers.
Thrift stores packed with actual affordable treasures
Meeting new people and experiencing new culture every single day
Even the very ordinary felt brand new. Eating foods that weren’t even things I couldn’t find at home still felt like an adventure. Noticing small differences, packaging, labels, warnings and subtle ways of doing things different.
Does the Magic Wear Off?
I suppose that’s the big question isn’t it. If I said screw it, sold everything and stayed somewhere new for a whole year, would It still feel like that after a longer period of time. After 3 months? 6 Months? A year? Or would it eventually fade away into the new normal. Fading into the background and eventually seeking a NEW new.
Maybe that’s the draw for digital nomads and people who keep traveling full time. Chasing that curiosity and flame for discovering moving on when it eventually burns out. Personally I don’t think I could move as often as some do for eg. 3 months. I think I’d still be able to find plenty to explore in that time and more. But maybe like 3 years?
I don’t think this is leading to a desire to immigrate, but maybe just the first spark/taste of a passion for travel. Desiring more to have the freedom (and money) to travel and experience new places, culture and food more regularly.
Travel Lifestyle vs. Daily Life
Of course the reality as well is that the month we were in Canada is not what daily life would look like with a longer term. I didn’t have to work or do anything like that. I was free to explore, eat and discover all day every day without any other worry. Which of course is not a realistic representation of what daily life would be like on a longer term stay.
It’s hard to say whether the feeling comes from the country itself or the contrast of stepping out of my normal routine. Maybe travel is sort of like a reset button. New air, new streets, new experiences. It all shakes you out of a slump. But how long does/will that energy last?
The Restless Question
I don’t have the answers yet. Maybe I never will. Maybe this feeling is just the magic of travel. Maybe once you’ve left home for the first time it will always feel a little different.
Have you ever felt more at home while traveling than when you’re actually at ‘home"‘? Does the feeling wear off for you - is that what keeps you chasing new places and experiences?
