Guilty Travel Pleasures

Whether I’m travelling on vacation or tagging along on Steve’s business trips, there are a few indulgences that I have a twinge of guilt/embarrassment about. These guilty travel pleasures are relatively harmless, but I don’t readily reveal them so shhhhh … keep them to yourself.

People Watching in Airports, Subways and on the Streets

When I’m in the airport lounge or waiting to board a flight, I’m usually not reading a magazine or surfing the Net on my iPad. I’m watching people. I like to observe their travel style and make up stories about where and why they are travelling. If you’re really diligent, you can pick up some very interesting behaviour through this voyeuristic pastime.

Same goes for taking public transport at my destination. I’m always sizing people up on the subway. I will eavesdrop if there’s an English speaker in range. I am particularly ashamed to admit that I’ve even occasionally looked over the shoulders of my fellow passengers to see what they are looking at on their smartphones. I know, that’s bad. It’s just that I’m so keen to see how people in other countries behave and to get a sense of what their lives are like.

Foreign Junk Food

I’m a pretty clean eater when I’m at home. I stay away from salty snacks and sugar-laden treats. On the road, though, it’s a different story. I love seeking out local convenience store junk food. The best is when the package is in a language I can’t read and I really have no idea what the bag contains. I’ve been disappointed and delighted in equal parts.

Hotel Swag

I never buy soap, or hand lotion. I hoard hotel amenities as though I’m preparing to survive the coming apocalypse. Shower caps, toothbrushes, sewing kits, tiny bottles of shampoo … I stuff them in my suitcase daily so that housekeeping refreshes the supply (most times they do). Why? I guess we all like to think we’re coming away with something “free.” I also just like the tiny versions of everything. I recently pared down my sizable swag from my bathroom cupboard and donated it to our local homeless shelter. My guilt is now somewhat absolved.

Television

We don’t have cable TV at home and prefer keeping up with news online and watching shows on Netflix. But, when I’m tucked into that big, fluffy hotel bed at the end of the day with that big screen TV staring at me, more often than not, I’ll turn it on and endlessly surf the channels (regardless of the language). I don’t even watch anything, usually. I just like to see what’s on offer. Many a time, this activity has kept me up later than is reasonable. Steve always jokes that one’s thumb muscle working the remote is the last body part to fall asleep. TV is evil. I have no justification for this one.

Room Service

It’s usually ridiculously expensive and one really should venture out to find interesting local restaurants. But on occasion, when you’ve spent the day working or you’re exhausted from tramping around a new place all day, room service is so inviting. It feels very indulgent (because it is!). It usually disappoints, but that doesn’t stop me from ordering it from time to time.

Multinational Chains 

We have a strict rule that we won’t dine in a restaurant or shop in a store we have in Canada when we travel. However, there have been times when I’m feeling stressed (like the time I was travelling solo in Tokyo and was lost) that I will succumb to the familiar as a way to get my bearings. It provides a sense of safety in a way. Don’t feel good about it, but I’ve done it.

Daily Snacking

Vacation is another matter, but when travelling for business with Steve, indulging in aforementioned local junk food or ice cream midday always leaves me a bit sheepish. In Istanbul it was a daily fix of Turkish delight. In Rome it was gelato. I assuage my guilt by telling myself that these one-of-a-kind treats are something I may never get to eat again! Most of the time, it works.

Lounging by the Pool

I’m not a huge lounger – I prefer being on the go. However, I LOVE swimming pools and will stay immersed in their cooling waters until my skin resembles that of an abandoned raisin at the bottom of a kitchen drawer . I should be working or out in the streets exploring, having unique cultural experiences! But a couple of hours at the pool has a magnetic pull I just cannot resist.

OK, now that I’ve cleansed my soul through this confessional post, tell me, what is your guilty travel pleasure?

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