Traveling While Old(er)
My wife and I had a wonderful time in St Martin/ Saint Maarten. Two spellings reflecting this two nation island. Very cool to discover the Dutch and French culture in such a small space.
This was my first trip since retiring, so it was different, and I have some thoughts about traveling while old(er).
There was a special kind of joy that came with this trip. It was not the reckless happiness of youth, or the check-list driven urgency of mid-life. It was something different…richer.
Research in aging psychology shows that as we age, we prioritize emotionally meaningful experiences. We are less interested in “doing it all” and more interested in savoring what matters most.
There are 37 beaches on the island on St Martin/Saint Maarten. We were happy visiting four. I mean how different can water and sand be?
Our favorite beach experience was at our French Hotel in Grand Case. Grand Case is a small fishing village famous for fabulous French food (more about that later.) We discovered a board walk that circled a rock formation just above the beach that led to four secret lounging areas perfectly perched 20 feet above a cove filled with sail boats. Our own little slice of heaven that we shared with a curious orange cat and playful iguana. We loved our many moments of solitude and beauty. (Yes, the picture above was our view.)
Travel is good for our brain. I am thinking about writing off the cost of the trip as a medical expense…jk. We loved the immersion of being in two cultures. Surrounded by two languages, new sites, food and new problems to solve. Which button do you push to flush the toilet? Oh, that is what it is for. The French think of every nuance. All of this “newness” activates neural pathways tied to learning and memory. Research in cognitive aging shows that novelty and challenge can preserve cognitive flexibility.
We traveled filled with gratitude. We were acutely aware that the number of remaining trips is not infinite. This awareness did not darken the experience, instead it sharpened the moments. Sunsets felt less like scenery and more like gifts. Conversations with strangers felt less transactional and more human. We did not hit the clubs at midnight, instead we enjoyed the sand between our toes during our morning walks on the beach.
Yes, traveling while older is different. It is not a diminished version of younger travel - it is better. It is refined, intentional and adds even deeper memories.
Enjoy your day, and happy trails (you get this phrase if you are old enough),
Just a little extra-
The French side of St Martin is well known as the epicurean center of the Caribbean. I love to eat, so I was in the right place.
The food ranged from the tasty BBQ at the LoLos (locally owned/ locally operated). All looked good, but we enjoyed Cynthia’s Talk of the Town.
And the French dining, some of the best outside of France. Every meal is served with some type of French bread served with homemade flavored butter. Our favorite was olive bread served with sweet truffle butter. I can’t believe I am spending time talking about bread, but it was that good. Entrees featured local seafood draped with wonderfully unique flavors. Mint infused olive oil looked weird on mashed potatoes, but was really good in a weird fresh kind of way.
Be sure to leave your diet at home, because dessert was to die for. Even breakfast required the sharing of a chocolate croissant, just because.
Yes, food was a highlight on this trip, but just one of many. I do think traveling while old(er) is going to be wonderful. Finally, we can take the time to savor these special moments. And all moments can be special.
References
Cole, Garry. February 2024. Are We Old Yet? (Yes, I used my book as a reference)