You crave it when you wake up in the morning, throughout the day and before you fall asleep at night. The more you do it, the more you want it, and there’s no such thing as “too much.” It’s travel. We here at Independent Traveler have heard some crazy stories of travel addiction from friends and relatives, and of course we’ve got a few of our own. But now it’s your turn.
Do you spend so much time at the airport that you know the TSA officers by name? Do you have more bottles of free hotel shampoo than you do pairs of underwear? If so, we want you to finish this sentence: “You know you’re addicted to travel when ____.”
Leave your submission in the comments below. We’ll gather your ideas, take the best of the best and craziest of the craziest, and compile them into a list that will have you seeking the nearest 12-step program. And, as an incentive, everyone who provides a submission will be entered to win a set of two shoe bags, perfect for keeping those nasty hiking boots or running shoes away from the rest of your wardrobe while traveling. We’ll choose a winner at random on Friday, January 13. (Be sure to include a valid e-mail address so we can contact you in case you win.)
– written by Ashley Kosciolek
when you can pick up your luggage and guess, within a few ounces , the weight, and you know the carry-on/ checked baggage rules of every airline.
You know that you are addicted to travel when you are planned 2 trips ahead.
When surfing airline sites, you alrady know the airport code for airports you’ve not yet visited….and are on first-name basis with cruise agents for several lines.
you can use the correct travel apps for each situation.
…when you think of the visa stamps in your passport as priceless collectibles.
when you always have a bag packed and are ready to go!
You spend your lunch break at work scouring the internet for hotel & flight package deals. And every time someone talks about going on a trip you HAVE to butt in and ask all about it. And when they tell you they’re going somewhere that hits a nerve with you, you get chills all over and can’t wait to hear about their trip when they get back.
When your savings for your next big trip outstrips your retirement savings account by 2x or greater…not to mention, the projected period of your next big trip is slated to be longer than the amount of time you anticipate being retired.
You know you’re addicted to travel when… you know which customs agents are likely to give you a hard time!
you know your addicted to travel when…you never unpack your suit cases
You know you are addicted to travel when you change jobs to get a more flexible schedule conducive to traveling!
You know you are addicted to travel when you are getting calls at home 10:30 night from “your girl” in the Philippines with your hotel information for Madrid and Barcelona.
… when waking up at home feels strange
You know you’re addicted to travel when you wake up and you don’t know where you are!
You know you are addicted to travel when your neighbors wonder why you own a home.
………when your home feels like a foreign country!
You know you are addicted to travel when you have your suitcases/travel bags arranged by size, weight, and color.
You know you are addicted to travel when you see a great fare and book it before you find out where that place you’ve never heard of actually is located.
You know you’re addicted to travel when….you have more miles in the air than you have on all your vehicles combined!
You know you are addicted to travel when…you look at a tropical webcam every morning before you make your coffee, read your email or shovel snow off your deck….
When you spend more time looking up all travel sites on line than eating.
when you live out of your suitcase even when “home.”
You know you’re addicted to travel when your airline miles are your most prized possession.
You knw you’re addicted to travel when you spend a portion of every vacation planning for the next one.
You know you’re addicted to travel when if you just look at a highway atlas, your next road adventure springs out of your head like Pallas Athena out of the head of Zeus.
You know you’re addicted to travel when your coworkers ask, “So when and where is the next trip?” the first day you return to work after your most recent vacation.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…someone mentions a travel destination & you can quote the flight numbers but can’t remember your own phone number at work!
You know you’re addicted to travel when you wake up, and don’t know what city you’re in.
….. when you think about getting a small airplane tattoo for your ankle
your email daily contains more than fifty travel companies best deals and cruise lines call you personally at home.
The only reason you work, so so you can afford to upgrade your next trip.
You know your addicted to travel when you check the temperature for your favourite vacation before you check your local temperature.
You know that anywhere in the world you travel the tour guide will take you to the gift shop. Most often owned by his/her family.
…when you sit down at your desk and reach for the seat belt.
When you have an Excel spreadsheet with a calendar marked with trips to be taken, 10 trip plans, trip budget, actual trip expenses, and 3-year budget for all your trips
You know you’re addicted when the only section of the Sunday paper you read is the travel section!
You know you are addicted to travel when you begin to look like your passport picture.
When I’m on a trip, surfing the i-net and planning my next trip.
You know you’re addicted to travel when you’re never home.
when you start planning your next trip while on the current trip!
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you look at luggage like some women look at shoes!
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you always have at least two bags at home:
- one in “un-pack mode”
- and one in “packed and ready to go mode”.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you have a collection of frayed maps, well-thumbed phrasebooks, and smile knowingly whenever others start discussing accrued miles, free flights and the pros and cons of this or that airline or hotel loyalty program.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you can and have given tourists directions in London, Paris, Tokyo–or any other places you don’t live in.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you know who Chris Guillibeau is, and are jealous of his \visit all countries\ quest.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
even as a child, you watched things like Gilligan’s Island and the Swiss Family Robinson and already wanted to go there without even knowing where “there” was.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you sometimes go to see foreign movies just for the scenery and settings, not the plot, actors or acting.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
your travel “bucket list” is now in book form.
You know you’re addicted to travel when…
you frequently price real estate in other countries.
You know you’re a travel addict when your grown children ask if they need an appointment to see you ….. and how far in advance it must be made!!