Yes, there is such a thing...
I know a number of people who never feel the urge to travel. They are contend being in their world, doing the daily needed and being happy when it's done well. Out of that some, there's those who have sworned they will never get on a plane ever! Meaning no holidays or exploring new food or culture. Mind it that this idea came about even before the recent aircraft tragedies. Don't talk about traveling the world, there's also those who are so comfortable just being home, warming the couch, eating what ever there is at home and watching what ever program aired.
And then, on the total opposite side of the world, there are people with the wanderlust genes like me! Who always feel the urge to discover new things life has to offer. Who plan the next holiday right after ending one. And can never sit still at home. We just got to get out there and do something, like discovering a new cafe or just sitting by the beach, taking in the salt air. It feels like sin to ignore what nature has in store, all those undiscovered gems crying to be found. We also of course enjoy the simple day trips to a near by town if there's not much time, because there's only so much you can do in 24 hours or when there's not much resources to spare for a holiday across the sea.
The constant urge to travel the world
Some signs if you are born to travel (things I've mostly want to do badly):
- You are not the kind who could spend the day indoors. You will love to go out and be about doing anything possible. it feels like life is about appreciating nature's wonders.
- Willing to try anything new be it food, visiting a new cafe or restaurant, activity or a new holiday destination. The be exact, you go crazy seeing picture of a place you have never been to or a food you haven't tasted and immediately think to your self, "I have to go here next!"
- You strongly believe life is worth only when you set aside time to travel from your busy schedule. And upon touch down back from a holiday, you are already thinking of a next.
- Checking airlines website is a norm every now and then and you are connected to their Facebook page. This means you are among the first to know of cheap fare offers.
- Travel memoirs make you feel like a kid given chocolates. You can never get enough of if and you make sure to get a magnet from where ever you go to add to the collection of your fridge. There are times you would just stand there gazing at them, thinking what else you should get (more like which destination next).
- You know if money was not an issue, you would keep traveling the globe. You wouldn't mind a nomad life and envy those who travel extensively for work.
- Your dream job is closely related to traveling or a least does not confine you to a 9-5 job, sitting in front of the computer. For example being a reporter, writer, pilot or flight attendant.
- it wouldn't be a problem to plan a next holiday almost immediately as you already have a few destinations in mind, on the waiting list to travel to. And of course you have done a good amount of research about the destination, to enable a quick hop into the next flight there.
According to scientific claims, if you think you have the travel bug, it may have been embedded in your DNA, passed on through generations. It is said the inherent urge to travel can be traced back to one's gene, a genetic derivative of the gene DRD4, which is associated with the dopamine levels in the brain. The gene itself, which is identified as DRD4-7R, has been dubbed the “wanderlust gene,” because of its correlation with increased levels of curiosity and restlessness, for the most part. In reality, however, those who carry this genetic information typically share one common theme, a history of traveling. The gene is not all too common; in fact, it’s only possessed by about 20 percent of the population. It is believed, there is a much higher prevalence of this gene in regions of the globe where travel has been encouraged in its past.
In my case, I can not deny this possibility, as my great-grandfather and grandparents, traveled from Trivandrum, Kerala in India to Malaysia, in 1956 I was told, a year before we gain independence, so there you go, it is indeed in my genes. I was too young to know I should have started conversation on the topic and start the journalistic adventure then, jotting down all the precious information about their journey. Papa left us when I was eleven and amma a few years back. The parents I had, who travelled in a huge ship I was told, to have a better life in then Malaya, were gone before I could record everything. But I am not resting till I document the little I can. One source is my godmother, aunty Helen, who is more of a mother to me. Who Amma was pregnant with when she visited her mother there. Amma later delivered aunty Helen in Trivandrum and the bundle of joy, the second of seven siblings was brought back home, to Malaysia in a ship. And just yesterday, I had this dream that my quench for this information of the Fernandez family history took me to Trivandrum! Woke up and told myself, I will head there to know my roots, as I've been to India both south and north, as well as Kerala but not Trivandrum. Let the planning begin!
Talking about Papa, I remember details of being his most favorite first grandchild but I however, do not know much of what he did for a living. Chatting with aunty Helen over tea recently, I found out Papa was a gold medal parachuter with the army here. Then I remembered seeing army badges in his drawer as a kid. How I wish I kept them. He too I remember, would hardly stay home. Dresses well in a shirt, black socks and shoes, accompanied with a black cap and umbrella, he could be out meeting friends or going to town for what ever purpose he had, either work or business. Like him, I too have an interest in business. Papa used to own a little convenience store in Kampung Maya, where the current Salak Selatan KTM station is located.
Aunty Helen and I (I always think we look alike then)
With Amma, living a carefree life
The most amazing husband, father, grandfather, human being, Papa
I do believe you've sent someone to take care of me. Thank you Lord for giving me the best childhood and granting me a wonderful companion, who enjoys traveling too.
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