Just when you think that you have all the time and money to travel, you realise that you don’t want to travel. Not because you can’t travel.
If you are a normal person who doesn’t count every step, you take, analyse every morsel you eat, calibrate the water you drink, tabulate the hours you sleep and live life the way it is meant to be lived, you will find that with every year gone by, your body changes slowly but surely.
You might fit into the clothes you wore on your wedding day, you might be in even better shape but honestly, your body has changed.
And this is a Universal truth.
And what you could do at 20 becomes harder when you are 40 and even more difficult when you are 60. And almost impossible when you are 80.
I discovered this the other day when I tried to hop on one leg. I found that I could barely get my foot two inches off the ground! So don’t kid yourself, you are not what you were last year and if you are planning a trip somewhere, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Travelling which was fun in your younger days is no longer the same. Undoubtedly travel is much easier with better access to places, faster means of transport and better facilities on the road.
But
Your body has grown older and needs special attention while travelling.
Ten years ago, my friend told me that we had only a few years of travel left in us. I was aghast. We were only in our late 50s and were strong and fit. We were free from work deadlines, school routines and all the usual stuff that takes up time to see the world. But now I realise what she meant. As you grow older, your focus changes, your body changes and your destinations change too.
No longer do you want to cavort on the beach with your kids. No longer do you have to look for kid friendly destinations. No longer do you have to wait for the right friend to travel with. You are truly free to roam the world.
I never realised how difficult it is to travel as a Senior. Till as late as 10 years ago, I would look at all the seniors whizzing past me on airports with clunky closed shoes, cardigans and big bags clutched firmly in their laps as they watched me walk miles and miles with my strolley carry on luggage. I never thought that one day I too would want to sit in one of those airport carts rather than walk.
Travelling these days, especially for Seniors has become quite tedious. With flight delays, cancellations and all kinds of difficulties, one has to be prepared for any eventuality.
Before you travel.
Even before you plan to go somewhere, make sure that it is to a place you can go to.
- Make sure that you are going to the right place. For instance, there is no point in going to visit a place where you have to climb a thousand steps to see any monument. And even if you have to travel to that place ( if you are going in a group or with family), ensure that there is a lift or at least a ramp or at best a railing.
- Keep your medications with you at all times and any other stuff that you may need. Even if you are travelling to a familiar place or within the country, your medications may NOT be available or easily available so don’t depend on buying them later. Flight delays, lost baggage can leave you stranded without your regular medicines. So keep them with you at all times.
- Have the name of a local contact. I used to find it very amusing when my parents would try and dig up some long lost cousin or a friend of a friend living in the place I was visiting. But over the years, I find it helps to know someone other than the Hotel concierge or even your Tour Guide to help you in an emergency.
- Time your arrivals and departures at reasonable times. Whenever looking for suitable trains/planes/boats, remember to take into account the amount of time you need before actual departure or arrival. There is no point in leaving or arriving well before or after your regular sleeping and waking times.
- Find out if your hotel/resort is Senior friendly. During a recent trip, I discovered that the hotel we were booked in was most un Senior friendly. The rooms were far away from the restaurants and the general service area. The pathways were slippery, and unmarked and the entire property poorly lit.
- Location. While a holiday share may be a reasonable way to see the world, it may not always be conveniently located. It always helps to get a hotel that is centrally located so that you could just wander around close by and get a feel of the city/town. Remember, you are no longer young or spry enough to jump into local trains or buses.
- Companion . As far as possible, travel with a friend or companion – one who you can count on to hold your hand if required.
While you are on the Move
- Something to nibble. It helps to keep some nuts/biscuits or even a fruit handy should you feel like a bite. Needless to say, you should always carry a bottle of water or at least a bottle to fill water.
- A jacket or shawl is always handy. A hat or scarf helps too.
- Sit by the window if possible. Sitting in the middle seat can be difficult especially when going on a long road trip. In a plane or train, I prefer this seat so that you don’t have people going ‘over’ you.
- Carry a book to read or music to listen to. Long waiting periods can get tedious and boring so it helps to have your own entertainment with you.
- Phone chargers and power banks have become essentials these days.
- Dealing with incontinence. Toilets or restroom stops may not always be possible so it helps to wear a diaper while on the move.
This may sound scary to those of you who still travel with a backpack but it always helps to be prepared.
So throw away those doubts and fears. Dust off your luggage, find a friend and book your ticket to the place you’ve always wanted to go to.
Ciao
Twenty- five Seven 