Throughout the day today I have searched a dozen times for the same flights. The dozen searches are not because I cannot find the flights, it is that I talk myself out of them, close the browser, then talk myself back into them. I am struggling to click the Book Flight buttons for this trip, and that might be a first.
You see, we are frequent travelers because we are in an on-going game of World Domination where we try to collect as many countries, and their flags, as possible.
Here is my daughter’s backpack with her flag collection. For a 14-year old kid, she is amassing quite an empire.
We each have quite a nice collection but there is one flag that would be a gem, the Arkenstone or Heart of the Mountain, as it were. A prize above all others. It is the only non-quadrangle country flag in this world and we’re pretty sure it is a necessity. You have to admit, this flag would look very nice on that backpack.
So here’s the full situation with all the variables that are keeping me hovering around the Book Flight button.
Spring break. That’s a biggie. A whole week plus weekends to see somewhere new. We’ve been in Singapore for three years now. Our first spring break we went to Australia, and loved it. Our second spring break we went to Laos and Vietnam, and loved it. It would be a pity not to find another interesting destination for our third spring break here. I should say, third and final spring break in Singapore. Because we are moving from Singapore in June, this is our last chance for an easy flight in this region.
Oooohhh. This blog post is seriously doing its job and helping me talk myself into this trip. I’m so ready to click the button.
I would have clicked the button a month ago but for two variables that persuaded me against it. The first is that we managed to watch a program on the discover channel about the most dangerous airports in the world and yes, Kathmandu is in the top ten. The second was that my planned route for the trip included a jaunt over the Friendship Highway into Tibet but that became impossible when China froze all tourist visas for entry into Tibet in the month of March. So I hesitated and gave myself time to think more practically and a bit beyond that glorious flag and how perfect it would be in our collection.
That practical thinking has everything to do with one critical factor. That factor being that we will be spending approximately 1 gazillion dollars traveling in the UK this summer with my mum. Hence the hesitation now. How can I possibly justify another trip on top of that already amazing holiday trip for the summer?
Gentle reader, can you see my dilemma? Last easy chance at acquiring an extra-points country like Nepal, but that chance comes mere months before an extravagant summer in the UK.
I may need to turn to the gospel of Jane Eyre to guide me through this decision.
Jane would say: “It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom that mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot.”
She would also say: “Who blames me? Many, no doubt; and I shall be called discontented. I could not help it: the restlessness was in my nature; it agitated me to pain sometimes.”
Looks like we are clicking on the Book Tickets button! Jane is always right in these things.
But not so fast, Jane would also say: “I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.”
Drats. I might just have to stick with frugal, simple Jane on this one.
Though I did check to ensure that Nepal offers a “Visa on Arrival” service.
Just in case.