But I am moving there eventually and I couldn't be happier about that journey! I am glad that this journey is happening at its own pace.
No matter how vague the topic might seem, it is super important to know your partner better before you decide to say “I do” and travelling together is definitely one of the better ways to know that. This, of course, is applicable if and only if you support the idea of travelling at all. There are certain people who like to travel. Then there are people who are completely travel-enthusiast and then there are people who don't really get excited by the idea of travelling and would rather sit in the comfort of their homes.
These are completely personal choices – which is fine. If you belong to the first two categories, this post might excite you. If you belong to the third category, I am more than interested in knowing your ways of getting to know your partner!
I happen to be one of those girls who likes to explore places every now and then and gets mildly to averagely excited to the idea of travelling. And I happened to meet this guy who always has one bag ready to travel anytime, anywhere. So, for us, travelling together is not a very vague idea at all.
Had I been a part of a more liberal family, I would have definitely gone for living in together before settling down and would have been writing about why one should (or should not) live in before getting married. Living in together definitely speeds up the process of knowing each other. I think travelling together is a better alternative to living together in its own ways. Plus I was in no mood of spending another chunk of my life in short dates to solve the purpose of getting to know each other. When I say “getting to know each other”, what exactly do I mean?
It is certainly way more than just about being intimate. In fact, that doesn't even make it to my list!
I mean the following, which I learned after travelling with him for both short and long trips!
Dealing with unforeseen situations (and each other!)
The real test is exactly when both of you move out of your comfort zones. The rosy picture final turns into what being with someone actually means! No trip is free from some kind of mishap – running late for conveyance, losing your luggage, getting incorrect or no reservations – and it is the best time when you get to know a person's stress handling capabilities and tolerance level!
I am not saying that travelling together can make or break a relationship but it certainly makes it easier for you to make your decision.
Art of compromise
There are too many things you encounter when you are with someone, out of your comfort zone, probably to a relatively newer place, where you don't know a lot of things and a lot of people. There is going to be those times when you will have two completely opposite things to chose from and you wouldn't really know what to do. You will then realize that how adjusting the other person is. Moreover, you will also get to know if you are ready to make compromises for this person – is he/she worth? Just kidding but I am sure you get the gist!
I am a complete morning person and he happens to be typically party-all-night kind of a guy. I prefer catching the sunrise of every place I go to and he has his priorities set of exploring the nightlife of every place he goes to. He even dug out this all night party place amidst the mountains in Kasauli. *sigh* Well, we both chalked our way out by adjusting ourselves a li'l bit. I know he is worth some sleepless nights and he knows I am worth those sunrises!
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| He usually gets up for the sunrise and take those wonderful shots for me! |
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| I don't find it annoying if I have spend a night or two with a li'l less sleep than usual! |
Attitude towards each other
Continuing with the above point, you tend to develop a deeper understanding of each other. Your attitude towards each other starts shaping up once you have travelled together. I respect him more now!
Habits
Travelling brings out one's true self. And there are certain habits about each other about which you get to know early in a relationship. And that is a great thing to happen. Go for a trip soon and save yourself from some complaining in later stages of life!
I got to know that this guy loves to sleep. And I am not the one who would sleep on a trip. He is slowly adjusting to this fact and he tries to sleep less on trips. And for the time being, I figure out the activities which I can do alone (which are less enticing for him) while he sleeps. See, we both are adjusting and it is fun!
Talk about perspective
This is perhaps the most beautiful thing about travelling together. Nothing brings a couple closer than sharing their varied perspectives about different things in life and a trip away from the daily life is the best time to do that! And these things are pretty important to know about your partner before marrying him/her. Better be careful than be sorry!
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| And we have had our talks over our favourite beverages. He is a chai person and I don't like tea at all! |
We are two different people, if not completely opposite. And knowing about these persepectives has helped us evolve more as individuals in this relationship.
Money matters
Another thing for which a couple trip is always good is the way you budget things. Usually, the first trip is not the best for judging this because you tend to splurge more. However, how you budget the various aspects of the trip, how you spend and how you prioritize the spending is something which gives you a clear picture of how your partner manages his finances and if that is something you are okay with and would want to adjust to.
We both splurge on experiences that are worth. But yes, we splurge and we know it!
You get to know if you are a good team (or not!)
My blog, my say. So, I have to boast that we are a great team. And for any successful alliance, it is always important to be a good team. Of course, only one of you cannot be driving the relationship. How you work out your travel itinerary keeping in mind the common interests, how you plan your internal travel and how you both keep your calm while doing all of this determines the level of understanding you have as a team. And it is a good feeling, isn't it?
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| We are a great team together! |
Finally, if you love to travel then the person you marry should be your favourite travel companion
If you know you love to travel and would want to spend a lot of time doing that then it is important that your forever companion is your favourite travel companion also! I have made some fun memories with this guy and would want to do that for the rest of my life with him. And travelling with him brought me closer to this decision.
And you will be glad that you have some great memories of your travel with your favourite travel companion!
‘Tripping' during your courtship is fun. Also, it saves a lot of time when it comes to the planning of your trip because you know what you have to include and exclude, well in advance. It also gives you a rough picture of all the things that need to be worked out, things for which you are okay adjusting and also let your partner know what are things which are completely essential for you.
Or are you one of those who met your significant other while travelling? I am sure you must agree with me. Tell me your story, please? I find the idea too amazing!
