Within the last 10 years, I've had two incredibly lonely travel experiences for somewhat similar reasons. The first was my return trip to Texas after completing my time in the Disney College Program. The second was my whole trip to New Orleans for a family members funeral. Although very different situations, the extremely loneliness I felt was so similar I can't write about one without also talking about the other.
With the first trip, I'd actually been lucky enough to have my mom and younger cousin come to Florida to travel back with. Prior to the trip, they arrived about a week earlier and stayed on property at my mom and I's favorite Disney Resort - Animal Kingdom's Kidani Village. Although, I'd only assisted in getting them checked in and a few park entries, I'd chosen not to stay with them.
As this was my last in program, I'd want to spend as much time with my friends before, in many cases, never seeing them again. Throughout the week, we still had a few days of work left - one of which I was recommended to stay in program and apply for the professional internship. As much as I still wish I'd done it, I'd gone to the program to refocus on school after having lost my dad the year before and nearly dropping out of college due to anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Now that I'd completed the program, I'd wanted to follow through on my promise to finish school for my dad.
Once we'd finished our last day of work, many of my friends planned to go to Magic Kingdom one last time to see fireworks before leaving and give final farewells. To this day, this is one of the sadness experience's I've shared with any group of people that I wasn't related too. These were friends that'd I'd shared a very strong and unique connection to and though I'm still in contact with a few other them. They were all pretty significant to who I am today. I'd learned a lot about myself as a professional, leader, co-worker, and friend from all of them while also working in one of the most exhausting and amazing employment opportunities I've ever had.
After leaving Magic Kingdom, having given many hugs, shared many tears, and watched the fireworks go office for the last time as a college programmer - I was emotionally spent and exhausted. So much so that, the return trip home, felt as though I'd spent the entire ride - all 26 hours of it (we had to stop in Mississippi to bring my cousin home) by myself. Although I'd spent much of the trip telling my mom and cousin about my experience, I was never actually present mentally or emotionally.
The closer we got to Texas, their was an increase in this separation as I'd begin to feel anxiety at the thought of returning to school and working complete my undergraduate degree. Even though, I'd knew I'd finish the degree because of the promise I'd made. The fear that I'd remain overwhelmed and unable to focus due to the loss of my dad weighed incredibly heavy on me. Luckily, I was able to return to this environment with welcome arms from friends and distract myself with various organizations - it took a long time for me to get back into the swing of things after leaving so many friends and recalling previous experiences at my university.
Given that I'm now in a Master's-level social work program, I'm happy to say I was able to recover both educationally and emotionally. But this will remain to be one of my loneliest trips.
Don't think I'd forgotten to share about my sad trip to New Orleans last year. I'll save that for another day. For now, thanks for reading and taking an interest in my experiences and services.
As a form DCP participant, I hope you have a Magical Day.
D'Vaughn Delpit
Dreams of Wonder Travel Agency
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