By Shawn Bisangwa Luciano – ” Shawn Maine”
There is something inherently yet profoundly deceptive about the way we curate our travel experiences for the social media gaze. The perfect golden sunsets, well-rimmed cocktail glasses alongside amazingly garnished pasta, and Vogue-esque magazine selfies always seem to make it to the gram, but we always seem to live out the other side of that Insta dump we curate.
We omit the sunburn from waiting for that perfect shade of gold to hit the sky, the war-like food poisoning from the ‘well-garnished’ pasta, and the arguments before capturing that perfect selfie that cuts. I have fallen victim to the digital editing of reality, and so do the majority of people on social media; we need to highlight these magical moments and overlook the chaos. We’ve seen this birth the most recent trend, “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday,” that is all over the internet—a trend that highlights the undelightful moments that live behind the aesthetic ones.
I have been thinking about this lately, more often than usual, after watching a friend return from a trip to Portugal that appeared to be a flawless long weekend, according to Instagram posts. The reality, however, as confessed on our weekly FaceTime check-in calls, was far from rosy. It was an experience built upon the sorrow of a missed connection flight, a lost wallet, and a close brush with alcohol poisoning. Her Instagram, on the other hand? Excellent walks by the beach, well-crocheted Afrotion outfits, beautiful cobblestone streets, and perfectly lined tequila shots with lime.
This Jet2 holiday trend is satirical but yet metaphorical of a particular kind of travel experience that promises you roses without the thorns. But yet, it still prepares you for the thorns that inevitably sprout out of the roses. I minimize Jet2-type experiences when traveling by not only having Plan A, but also by having Plan B and Plan C. In this instance, I’ll focus on packing. I have learned to pack extra for whatever trip I’m going on, not because I have so many clothes and I’m overwhelmed with choice, but because I don’t want to miss out on an experience, all thanks to my habit of packing light. We used to laugh at our mother packing as if she would never return when going on trips, until it later dawned on us all, as we traveled more, that we should always be “prepared,” not just prepared. We thought it was over-preparation until we started finding ourselves underprepared. In no way is this “over” preparation anxiety; it is power.
As you book that Jet2 flight, carry your ring light, camera, and chase the sunset in Santorini—Hunt for the perfect croissant in Paris. But pack like your mother has sent you to her room without instructions; carry everything you deem essential like that food poisoning medicine in your cabinet, the hiking shoes you only use once a year, the tinted sunscreen that you won’t ignore because it does not leave a white cast on you, the ugly secure wallet you won’t lose because when it falls it will make noise that you won’t miss etc. Pack like a mother who knows that the best travel stories don’t begin with perfect planning, but with ideal preparation for when all plans fail and uncertainty creeps in.
Post Disclaimer
Utilizing my own personal experiences as well as my background as a Registered Nurse, I share my enthusiasm for travel and health on this blog. Though I love what I do and sometimes talk about tactics for modest health improvement, keep in mind that the material provided might not be exact. The material herein is just for self-improvement. The content shared draws on my own experiences, thoughts, and stories. With this in mind, readers should consult their healthcare providers about any concerns they may experience.
Since each person has a different health path, what helps one person may not help another. Readers should consult their personal healthcare providers for personalized guidance based on their individual needs and circumstances. Rather than replacing the professional, my goal here is to inspire, enlighten, and start conversations that improve and make life more fulfilling relations between you and your medical staff.