Off To Australia Friday

I’m off to Australia tomorrow afternoon. I’m both excited and nervous about the trip. I love that I get to go, but I’m dreading the travel itself. I especially dread leaving my family behind. For a short while it seemed we might be able to all go together but that time came and went.

I let most of my office know of my trip today. Everyone seemed happy for me but were puzzled that I didn’t seem ecstatic about it. I do have a lot of work to accomplish there – its not like a vacation. That’s one of the deciding factors for me going alone – Kelly and the kids would have been left to themselves during the day.

Something else factors in, something that I realized after my last trip to San Diego. When I began to travel for work I really loved going to new places. It opened up a part of me I had neglected. The three years I’ve done this job (more or less) have turned me into an extrovert. I love to be around people and hate to be alone – a complete switch from my previous self. Now I crave conversation and interaction. I get some of that on business trips, but the time in-between spent in airports and moving from one place to another can be loney indeed. I also dearly miss my wife and kids when I travel. Two weeks is longer than I’ve ever been away from them. I’ll be clear on the other side of the planet.

I’m sure I’ll perk up once I get there but I doubt I’ll ever rid myself of homesickness. The next time I visit Australia I won’t go alone!