I bear in mind the journey to the airport being the hardest half. The drive was sluggish. The regular stream of the information over the radio distracted from the noise of the early site visitors because the cab moved on. What I dreaded was having to get out. I stored considering to myself, “I might simply return residence.” However as I contemplated; I knew I couldn’t surrender earlier than I even began.
I’ve at all times been apprehensive of journey of any kind. After successful a paid journey overseas for rating as an worker of the month 3 times in a row, I knew that I used to be about to journey. I toyed a number of instances with the considered giving up the prize however I couldn’t. Properly, right here I used to be in my seat on the flight leaving for Thailand, drained from being unable to sleep the earlier night time, and feeling a bit of nauseous and anxious.
Table of Contents
The problems I confronted and the way I handled them
My worries and fears developed into acute journey anxiousness that threatened to derail the whole trip. However with cautious planning and a few assist, I used to be in a position to handle my anxiousness.
Worry of touring alone
Leaving the nation for the primary time was a terrifying expertise, so I invited my pal Devin alongside as assist. Devin had a ardour for journey, his having been to a number of components of the world, I figured he was the very best particular person to deliver alongside to maintain myself calm, since judging by all of the regaling tales he at all times shares after every journey, he might deal with bother.
a. Flight anxiousness
The flight expertise itself did little to assuage my journey anxiousness. The journey was extraordinarily lengthy, lasting over 18 hours. I used to be stressed and agitated.
Video video games have at all times been my escape from actuality, so I began a sport on my Nintendo swap. I elevated the sport issue to maintain myself deeply engaged. After some time, I unloaded some comedian books I had introduced alongside and browse. Whereas studying, my fatigue caught as much as me. Happily, I used to be relaxed sufficient to fall asleep.
Lodging and excursions anxiousness
Upon touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Worldwide Airport and venturing out, I used to be immediately struck by how totally different every part was. The noise of site visitors, the colourful setting, and the background roar of life as folks went about their every day companies; seemed so totally different. A cab took us to our lodging, a pleasing four-star lodge. I had repeatedly apprehensive about the place I used to be going to remain earlier than the journey even began. As part of my sponsored trip, I had been instructed that my lodging was included as properly, however that hadn’t stopped me from worrying.
Devin had suggested me to plan my journey forward. He had drawn up a listing of enjoyable actions to do and requested me to take my decide and resolve how I wished to expertise them. I wanted one thing to schedule my actions and ensure I might expertise all of it inside two weeks. I wanted an itinerary. I downloaded one from right here and with it, I structured my deliberate actions, proper right down to the precise time and date. This helped lots in managing my anxiousness as I knew precisely what I used to be going to be doing all through my journey. This had, in my eyes, helped deliver a little bit of certainty into the unsure future I used to be heading into.
a. Worry of heights
One of many first actions on my listing was mountain climbing. I had made this choice deliberately, as, whereas I had slowly labored up pleasure for this journey, I used to be secretly hoping it might fail.
Upon arriving at Chiang Mai, I had gone pale with terror. Our tour information was clearly used to coping with terrified vacationers like myself. He took his time with me and inspired me to attempt just a bit climb. His understanding of my predicament eased me, and he didn’t attempt to pressure it on me that mountain climbing was simple as a result of he might do it, however I solely needed to do what I wanted to. I’m not proud to confess that I took the longest on even the smallest climbs, however the hearth of triumph lit inside me was wonderful to really feel.
Monetary anxiousness
The monetary affect of the journey weighed closely on my thoughts firstly. I didn’t need to spend greater than I might afford, and though plenty of my trip was paid for, I must cowl miscellaneous gadgets myself. I researched the change fee and estimated my minor bills and what I used to be paying for Devin. I laid some cash apart to cowl this. I additionally selected to deliver alongside some bank cards to see me via, within the eventuality that I ran out of money.
a. Worry of sickness
The considered getting sick abroad had crossed my thoughts whereas planning for this journey. I had apprehensive in regards to the meals, water, environmental situations, and native illnesses. I bought a journey well being plan. I additionally obtained a listing of healthcare suppliers I might use whereas overseas. Earlier than leaving, I up to date all my vaccinations and obtained new ones primarily based on my analysis on the native illness.
b. Worry of getting misplaced
I used to be heading into territory just about unknown to me past my geography lessons. I stored my telephone on me always, together with a paper map I might use if my telephone ran out of battery. Devin really useful I create and maintain a phrasebook with which I might ask questions within the native language and procure assist if wanted.
Journey ends
On the finish of the 2 weeks, I used to be fairly sorry to go away. I had crossed off all of the gadgets on my itinerary, and but I nonetheless felt there was a lot extra I wished to do. I had skilled my first style of daring and journey, and evidently, I wished much more.
