One of the first instincts upon a change of location is to start thinking in terms of parallel existence–comparing hours, schedules, routines, and so on.
Sitting on the roof of the hotel, staring at the moonlit Taj, you think, “I’d be walking into work right now.”
This isn’t so much looking back, but looking sideways. Conditional thinking: If I hadn’t decided to make this trip, I would be…
But you made it. You’re here. Not there. I don’t think such comparison is a rewarding outlook, yet I found that line–I’d be walking into work right now–on page one of my India journal.
So why employ this perspective? To relish in new-found freedom? To put an economic spin on the trip and force yourself to make the most of it (to get your money’s worth, considering the lost earnings)? To believe you’ve finally figured things out? To coordinate a prank call to a friend?
Photo of Taj Mahal during Diwali by Deivis via Flickr.
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Interesting consideration, I think that’s probably a very common impulse while travelling for a short time … I guess we do so for all the reasons you mention, to say to ourselfs “hey, I’m on vacations”, let’s make the most of it … and because we are creature of habits.
I’m happy you found my image interesting for you post !!!
David