How Travel Transforms Us: The Unexpected Habits We Adopt Abroad
It has recently dawned on me that I become a completely different person when I travel. Well, perhaps not entirely different—I am still prone to stumbling on slippery cobblestones, a hazard that seems particularly prevalent in the steep streets of major Portuguese cities, where I am currently visiting. While I have managed to avoid a fall so far, it feels like only a matter of time before gravity wins. But beyond the physical missteps, I have realised that I engage in a multitude of activities while travelling that I would never consider at home.
Exploring Religious Sites: A Travel-Only Pursuit
At home, the only occasions that draw me into a church are weddings or funerals. The idea of casually popping in for a look? Not in a million years. Yet, when I am abroad, I eagerly visit any religious building—churches, chapels, cathedrals, temples, pagodas, or mosques. I find myself marvelling at stained glass windows, soaring ceilings, and intricate mosaic floors. On this trip to Portugal, I am averaging about one church visit per day, soaking in the history and architecture that I typically overlook in my daily life.
Libraries and Buffets: Holiday Indulgences
Similarly, I only seem to visit libraries when I am on holiday. This is odd, given my strong support for libraries as a concept, but at home, the emotional pressure of returning books on time feels like a curse. Overseas, however, I am a willing participant in exploring dusty, book-filled rooms. For instance, on this journey, I visited the magnificent Joanina library at Coimbra University in Portugal. In the past, I made a special day trip to St. Gallen in Switzerland, braving the rain to shuffle around their library in snazzy shoe covers, admiring elaborately carved shelves—even though touching the books was forbidden.
Another habit I reserve for travel is indulging in buffet breakfasts. At home, I might enjoy a weekend brunch, but I never partake in buffet offerings. On holidays, it is a different story, often because it is included in the hotel stay. Nothing brings me more joy than an omelette stand, a pile of tiny croissants, sliced dragon fruit, hash browns, murky green juice, crispy bacon, and a pain au chocolat or two. The allure of the buffet breakfast is simply too strong to resist when I am away.
Bakery Visits and Public Transport: Travel-Exclusive Adventures
At home, I rarely step into a bakery, yet on holidays, it is almost the first stop. Sampling local baked goods, like Portuguese tarts, fresh baguettes, or Viennese strudel, feels like a way to scratch the surface of the culture—or so I tell myself. Back in Perth, I do not even buy ordinary bread, creating a Jekyll and Hi-carb dichotomy in my lifestyle.
My love for public transport also flourishes only when travelling. At home, I might catch a bus to Optus Stadium on game day, but that is about it. Overseas, however, I ride the Metro, Tube, and Subway like a local. I have caught buses in Los Angeles—where few do—and Kyoto, and hopped on regional trains in Denmark and France. My phone is filled with apps to navigate public transport networks in various countries, yet I do not even know if there is a Transperth app for my hometown.
Embracing a Tourist Mindset at Home
It is natural to live differently when away from home. Without a car, public transport becomes essential, especially after experiences like having a hire car impounded in regional France due to unexpected parking changes. Similarly, exploring a 700-year-old church makes sense when you have the time and curiosity. But perhaps there is merit in approaching my hometown with a tourist's eyes. For example, I have not visited the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, yet I have found myself at museums like the World of Wine in Porto and the D-Day Museum in Atlanta. It might be time to rectify that oversight.
And if I can find a Perth bakery that makes proper Portuguese tarts, I am prepared to lift my bakery embargo, bringing a taste of my travel habits back home. Travel not only broadens our horizons but also reveals the simple pleasures we often neglect in our daily routines.
