The first two weeks of my trip were spent with one of my very best friends and her best friend, who I also grew very close to in the short time we spent together. We explored Paris together and they helped me settle into and fall in love with Nice. So naturally, when they departed last Wednesday, I felt a serious sadness that I was only mildly anticipating. I felt alone and all I wanted was to once again feel the comfort of having a piece of home with me while abroad.
Even in just a short 14 days, I was experiencing some homesickness. Not for the things I anticipated: In-n-Out, Del Taco, the familiarity of my dad's voice or the incredible view I get when I turn from Newport Coast onto Pacific Coast Highway. No, I was simply homesick for the presence of my loved ones and the security they give me. I wanted to look up and see my best friend making her potatoes or see my other friend cracking her Heineken. I even missed the crowdedness of their suitcases.
When I expressed this to some friends that day, attempting to receive some comfort, I had a few responses that were similar: "but you're in Europe! You can't be sad", or "you'll forget about it tomorrow when you're in London." My internal reaction to these statements provided me with the deepest lesson I've learned in my few shorts weeks across the Atlantic Ocean.
Travel is not just about what you see in that place. It's not just about the wonderful people you meet, or the delicious food you are able to indulge in. Travel is not just about bringing your mom a magnet that says "Paris" or the perfect Instagram photo you capture in front of a twinkling Eiffel Tower.
Travel is also about self discovery and acknowledgement. And in my opinion, that's the best part.
You see, this trip has made me realize that travel shows you not only who the foreigners are, but through them, who you are. You don't get to start choosing what and who you do or don't miss. You just simply miss those people and those things. Or when you're in an uncomfortable position and you realize how badly you would kill to have a working cell phone. And that it's not wrong to want a working cell phone. We can't all be characters from Into The Wild.
Most importantly, I'm reminded that the only thing that matters is who you're with. You can be across the world in London, but if you're alone, it can hardly matter.
I've learned that spending a Saturday night watching the Diamondbacks on my parents patio gives me just as much joy as the mojitos I drank in Cannes.
I've learned that spending an hour ranting about politics with my dad on his couch can beat out an Italian dinner on the French Riviera.
I've learned that drinking beers with my sisters in Nashville makes me just as happy as touring the Palace of Versailles.
I've learned that I would trade in any international plane ride for an afternoon with my grandparents.
I've learned that seeing my little cousin grow up beats anything travel can provide.
This is not to say I'm not appreciative or having the time of my life. Because I am. I'm still a gypsy. I'm still going to travel. I'm going to travel especially for the homesickness. The farther I travel, the more I crave home. I'm not wrong for missing my family and friends when "I'm in Europe" or "I'm going to be in London". I'm simply just learning.
