Most of my travel has been to the States or Mexico in recent times. But a few years ago I had the opportunity to go to Manchester, England for work. We were going to learn from the National Primary Care Development Team on their approach of running Collaboratives as a quality improvement methodology.
I was very, very lucky to be selected as part of the team. But I will admit that while I was excited about the learning, I was terrified about the travel. I've never been big on travel. Left to my own devices, I would never leave the house. It's only due to Dennis having the travel bug that I've ventured beyond Calgary.
The closer it got to the departure date, the more anxious I became. I had never travelled without Dennis, who helps me manage all my fears. I knew my co-workers would help me but there's nothing like having your nearest and dearest at your side. Add to that, I came down with a miserable cold (stress induced no doubt) and had a terrible hacking cough night after night.
With only a few days left before the trip, I was becoming quite unhinged about the whole thing. One day at breakfast I burst into tears. Poor Dennis tried to have a reasonable conversation with me but I was not in a reasonable frame of mind:
Dennis: What are you so worried about?
Me: What will I eat? What if they don't have raisin bran?
Dennis: I'm sure they will have raisin bran. But if not, there will be something else you can eat.
Me: What if I run out of socks?
Dennis: Go to the store and buy more!
Me: (now sobbing uncontrollably) But I don't know where the sock store is!
As you can see, it was quite pathetic. But for all my worries I ended up having a great time in Manchester, both learning from the NPDT and exploring the city in the off hours. And although they did not, in fact, have raisin bran Dennis was correct that I could find something else to eat. One of the best meals I've ever had in my life was in a hotel in Harrogate. And I did enjoy the many strange but tasty flavours of chips - or crisps, as they call them in Britain.
I also learned that I can solve problems abroad just as I solve them at home. I take those skills with me where I go, which has helped me feel more resilient about travel. You see, I did end up running out of socks. But instead of wandering around sockless and alone, I managed to find the sock store. Well, not the sock store per se. A store called Primark which had many great deals, even when you factored in the exchange rate. And you know me - once I get to shopping, I start to feel right at home. No matter where I am.