Are you a repeater?

August 30, 2023

Do you prefer to return to places you've seen before or only new locations?

Following our WindStar Cruise, our next stop, Venice, was booked before we departed the US. It was a place I had always wanted to visit, in large part because of my love of water. Now having been, I don’t feel a strong need to return, especially considering how many places I’ve never been. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and historical, so much to do and see, but when I think about returning to places we’ve visited it’s because I want to spend more time, soak up the vibe, go deeper, enjoy the atmosphere, or explore more trails, beaches, or mountains.

What I’ve learned is I can study, research and read about history, I can watch documentaries and videos about places, and once I’ve been and have a sense of how I feel in a place, that determines my interest in subsequent visits. The world is huge, there is so much to see and experience I don’t tend to return to places when I can move on to something new. That’s how I feel about Venice.

Fascinating, historical, but also crowded, sinking, and in August – very hot. I struggled to find restaurants offering vegan options. I think tourist-fatigue is real. I wonder if people who live in places like Venice both appreciate the revenue of tourists and tire of the many people filling their streets? Are they as tired of trying to communicate with people who don’t speak their language as I was of searching for words to understand my environment and food options?

Just one more question to ponder on my journey to increased self-enlightenment.