I started having visible symptoms the minute my plane landed in Cairo International Airport; I actually felt my lungs collapsing and my eyes tearing. That’s how bad Post Travelling Syndrome can be. True, I’ve  missed my family, friends, my pet and my house; it felt good coming back. I wouldn’t have minded, though, taking a plane right back to where I was because I knew that as soon as we’re done with the hugs and kisses, telling stories and giving out souvenirs, all the excitement will vanish in a blink. I was clearly PTS-ing. Chances are, it must’ve probably happened to you too; below are some of the early signs:

-Sharing your travel adventures with your friends over, over and over again. You’re convinced that no matter how well you describe them, it’s never the same like actually being there. Some stories just can’t be told, but rather felt deeply to the heart.

-Couldn’t imagine going back to your normal routine be it work, school or whatever.

I can't

-You desperately start looking forward to your next trip and begin the countdown.

-You start seriously to consider taking up an internship or a masters degree abroad.

can't live here

-Nothing excites you anymore; the things that used to thrill you have become just ‘regular’. Your excitement bar has been raised because nothing would be the same like hiking a mountain all the way up to the clouds or riding an elephant with native Indians. Instead, you start experimenting with crazy things, like dying your hair pink, to give you the same high.

cant-feel-anything

-Speaking of which, even food doesn’t excite you anymore; you experience loss of appetite.

hungry

-You start drawing miserable comparisons about everything; you compare the food, the weather and the streets. You make statements like: “Oh, I miss how windy and rainy it was over there”, although you actually suffered from the weather on your trip.

-You miss all the little things you experienced: getting lost, talking to strangers and making new friends.

Lost jif

-You daydream and reminisce about all the little details of your perfect trip and you sometimes even catch yourself smiling. Some people will think you’re falling in love; they have no idea!!

daydreaming

-You never get bored of checking the pictures, gadgets and souvenirs over and over and over again.

emotions