travel-sick 001

Welcome to our first edition of travel-sick, which just so happens to be in print in the middle of a pandemic. There are so many magazines about travel, but they tend to focus on higher-end content and reviews. The vision for this magazine, especially in future editions, is to share real life experiences, more budget content, and photography from my (& any future collaborators) opportunities to see new places.

While I am excited for the future of this magazine, this edition is going to have a bit of a different feel. This edition is for all those who have tasted the freedom of travel and long to see the world again. It is for the people whose longing to experience life and culture has been effected by the current global pandemic.

Though I am young, I have had incredible opportunities to see parts of the world and meet amazing people.

I have been to six different countries, so far, and have been lucky enough to make friends, experience different cultures, live with regular people, and see so many eye-opening things (good & bad). I believe that travel is so important, especially while we are young. My article on page 10 talks bout these benefits and why immersing ourselves in world experiences is valuable for not only ourselves, but the communities we will be in throughout our lives. The rest of this magazine is full of ideas for how to replicate the feeling travel brings while obeying the rules that are set in place to keep us all safe.

I hope you love this magazine like I do and can be patient while we build up to the vision we have.

what’s in my bag?

When you’re not travelling, you’re saving money, right? So while you have the money, why not invest in items that will be useful once the world opens up again? Some things are worth investing in, some things can be bought cheaper. Here is the basics of the important things in my bag.

make your own ramen.

One of the best things about visiting new places is eating new food. Staying at home makes it a little harder to have foreign food but there are plenty of meals that are easy to make at home. Bring Japan to you by making your own ramen.

method:

1. cook the chicken

2. make the ramen broth

3. cook the noodles

4. steam/cook any extra ingredients

5. assemble the ramen bowl

ingredients:

chicken or tofu ramen noodles shitake mushrooms ginger & garlic chicken stock boiled eggs soy sauce scallions oil

optional: bok choi lotus root fish cake dried shallots

WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL

Travelling before thirty could change your life!

Border closures, 14-day quarantines, banned international travel; these are all things that are negative results of the current pandemic not only is the inability to travel impacting the economy through lack of business and international visitors, but it is also impacting the lives and mental health of those who have the ‘travel bug’.

When laws started to be put in place ordering people to stay in their local areas, no one considered that we would still be here 18 months later.

A study from Contiki (2017) proved that travelling and experiencing new places has a positive effect on young adults (18-25) “create[ing] more creative, confident, and culturally aware global citizens.”

Exposure to the world outside what we see every day builds human connection and communication skills while giving us awareness of the plethora of cultures and new ways of life. Other benefits include: organisational & time management skills, mental resilience, reduced stress & anxiety, boosted creativity, and a chance to discover one’s self. All of this increases employability.

So, to the travel-sick, the ones who yearn to see the world again, travel will come again. Until then we must learn to create a life we love in the waiting. As terrible as this situation feels, the faraway places will still be there on the other side.

BY RHIANNON COX

“Travel creates more creative, confident, and culturally aware global citizens.”

PHOTO: RHIANNON

me time. beach day

What’s the next best thing to food? Nature! Being in a foreign country means getting out and about and actually seeing the places that you are visiting. Whether it be the beach, forest, or desert areas, there is just something different about being in natural enviroment over manmade.

HIKING

There are so many incredible walks around Australia. The Sunshine Coast is known for its natural environements. Whether it’s just a day walk, overnight, or 4+ nights, nature has a way of resetting you.

Two of my favourites, Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Connondale Great Walk.

RIDE A BIKE

Exercise, especially when done outside, is good for mind, body, and soul. Whether it be a leisurely walk, an exercise park, or a swim. My favourite is riding a bike. You can see sights and not feel like you’re working.

SURFING

If you live near a beach, you’d be crazy not to spend at least one day a week there. Whether you can surf or not, hitting the waves is a great way to refresh and remind yourself how travel can feel. So, go for a swim, grab a body board, read on the beach, learn to surf. The beach is too good to take for granted.

10 things you can do right now.

1. Have mexican for a foreign dessert at stand up paddle boarding at Noosa Visit Kondalilla Falls Go to a local art gallery Visit the animals at Australia Zoo a walk through Noosa National Park a trip into the city out a French Patisserie a gardern

ILLUSTRATION: RHIANNON COX you don’t have to go far to experience life’s highs... look for moments right here.

PHOTO: RHIANNON COX