Winning the travel sweepstakes

I have never cashed in big on a multi-million dollar lottery, but I do hold a winning trifecta in the global travel derby: health, resources, and time in a first-second-third finish.

I hold a fourth winning ticket too. And that would be having the world’s best travel companion, my husband Rodney, an international road warrior who for some reason of late actually wants me to travel with him on his frantic business journeys.  

Perhaps it’s my not having to get stinking drunk on airplanes which has made me a more desirable travel partner. Or it could be my ability to travel lightly with only a carry-on bag to hold a clean t-shirt, a toothbrush, and when required, his camera and his sunglasses.

Also helping my cause is that after two spectacular journeys last fall, I have mastered the art of distinguishing between his ‘working’ time (when he’s leaning over his iPad or fiddling with his phone), and his ‘thinking’ time, when devices are not being used but his brain apparently is not ready to engage in conversation with me. I have learned to take nothing personally.

Over thirty years and various careers (he went from government to the non-profit world and finally into the private sector now owning Maple Bear Global Schools) the percentage of time we calculate he has spent on the road always shifts depending on who is telling the story. There was a time, though, when he was gone so often that I identified myself as a single mother without dating privileges.

Like so many spouses of international road warriors, his business travel became the source of much tension when the children were young and needed two parents around. Murphy’s Law always dictated that the moment he headed for the airport, a child would fall sick, a car would break down, or he would phone from the road at ‘zero’ hour when my children and I would be running out the door to some activity. There were many irritants which would cause much resentment over the fact that he was away and could sidestep his guilt with:

“I’m in Dubai, working to pay our bills. What do you want me to do?”

Come home! I wanted to say but of course we long suffering partners of business travelers would never say that.

“Fine, dear. Everything is fine. Gotta go.” It was either that or send an EMAIL THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS!!!!

Of course, everything was not always fine. Take our bad water karma. On one of his trips, the dishwasher exploded; our water heater, meanwhile, burst and flooded our basement twice no less (a defective replacement caused that grief) and on two separate trips. What were the chances?

 

But all of that is forgiven and forgotten, especially now that I head for the airport with him.

Who wouldn’t forgive someone who would dress up like this to get in the spirit of a family event in one country on our way to another country for his work? 

Who is your favourite travel companion?