Every year we make resolutions. Every year most of us break them.
Travelers are a different breed, however. We usually follow through. Even when we have more will than wallet, we figure it out and get to where ever it is we really want to go.
In fact, for serious travelers, New Year resolutions are even kind of fun to think about -- not just additional demoralizing, self-improvement tasks threatening our self-esteem. Travelers have dream destinations, bucket lists and more ideally, living lists to compile. They are fun, positive and hopeful lists.
So, thinking in that vein, I polled a gaggle of great travel buddies last week, and assembled the following 10 Travel Resolutions that would make us all better travelers in 2014:
-We resolve to be more patient dealing with the trials and tribulations of traveling -- be they TSA lines, surly customer service airline reps, over-packed tardy flights, noisy hotel rooms, boorish fellow travelers or screaming babies. No more whining and kvetching. None of them are personal vendettas against us, and we know how lucky we are to be traveling. We will be more patient this year.
-We resolve to go someplace new in 2014, instead of returning to the old tried and true go-to vacation destinations we normally visit. We will spread our wings, expand our horizons to new experiences, sights, cultures and unique cuisines.
-We resolve to put our money where our mouths are (and beliefs too!) in 2014, and not patronize travel services that, well, patronize us. "No" and, "That's not right," are mighty powerful words that many in the travel business need to hear -- a lot more often!
-We resolve to take authentic, challenging and participatory adventures; less like the reality show, The Amazing Race, and more like the real-life event The Global Scavenger Hunt.
-We resolve to not let technology get in the way of us meeting fellow travelers and indigenous people when traveling (some of us will actually resolve to completely unplug when we travel in 2014).
-We resolve to start speaking up for our vacation and travel rights: 1. Our right to have and take annual time off work (America needs a vacation mandate), and 2. Our rights as traveling consumers (a.k.a. a real Passenger Bill of Rights).
-We resolve to leave our expectations packed, hidden and deep in the back of a closet at home alone, and travel fearlessly without preconceived ideas or prospects. To be free and open to the great serendipity of travel.
-We resolve to integrate travel into our lives more, as we have with a good diet, exercising regularly and sleeping right. Travel is good for us in so many ways, be it physically, mentally and spiritually.
-We resolve to never again bring up the over-intellectualizing, self-aggrandizing, ego-gratifying vapid distinction between so-called travelers and tourists. Anyone who travels is both -- tourist and traveler -- no matter what they think.
-We resolve to not flaunt our travel exploits and long-winded adventure stories to others -- nor to shamelessly show off our travel selfies to others.
Those are ours, what are your 2014 Travel Resolutions?