I am by no means a ‘seasoned traveler,’ but the handful of international trips that I have been on have taught me the importance of balancing the comfortable with the uncomfortable, the familiar with the unfamiliar, the expected with the unexpected. I am a big proponent of trying local foods, racking up as many sightseeing miles on foot as possible, and soaking it all in as I go. But I also love binging The Real Housewives (of anywhere). And drinking a perfect cappuccino. And the feeling of falling asleep in my own bed, with my own crisp, white, high-thread count sheets.
It wasn’t until I was at the base of the Austrian Alps that I realized how strong my affection is for those tangy pickled carrots you get at the really good taco spots. After a week in New York, I craved the all-but-forgotten sensation of ANY transaction being less than $15. In Dublin, it was the avocados that I missed the most.
I thrive in the space between “I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and this is spontaneous and great” and “Oh good god, please get me some fuzzy socks, my mom, and at least a dozen kittens. Stat.” Basically, if Meryl Streep’s character in Mamma Mia! and Schmidt from New Girl had a lovechild, it would be me. Maybe with a little Guy Fieri thrown in for ~flavor~.
So far, my time in Ghana has stirred up all of my typical desires for creature comforts, but with a few new additions as well. Here’s a rundown my most notable yearnings thus far:
- Lactaid. This is a big one. I miss being able to digest dairy, and I still can’t bring myself to (fake) enjoy black coffee.
- Bagels. B A G E L S. Bagels! Self explanatory.
- My morning walk to school. Fresh morning air, relative quiet, the feeling of knowing what my day might look like.
- Salads. Or any cold vegetable.
- Naps. Sweet, sweet naps.
In spite of all of my whining, I promise that my time in Ghana thus far has been awesome. I find the people here to be incredibly friendly and hospitable. There is so much to see, hear, and do. I look forward to many more new experiences in the next month.
Stay tuned for more!