Vaccinations for homesickness?

Three years ago I went to Morocco for a month, part of a group of 16 teachers on a cultural exchange. A week in Rabat, a week in Fez, a week in Marrakesh, a week in Casablanca. Imagine all the stories I could tell.

But the story that defines the experience for me is the miserable first week. I had never been away from my family for more than a single night. I was among complete strangers. I could barely make out a word or two in Arabic, so I was tied to a translator and terrified of getting lost.

But that first week passed, and boredom slowly saved me. At first, I sat in the hotel lobby. In some silly way, I hoped that would make me comfortable in this very different world. It didn't.

Around week three, I was too bored to care anymore. I began walking farther and farther from the hotel. Late one night I ended up completely lost in the maze of the old city in Marrakesh, no phone, no language, no clue. I was the stereotype of the vulnerable tourist.

And that was it. The angst dissipated, and I discovered that I could be an adventurer. But the trip was over. I had lived too few days of the new me.

You are probably thinking there is an adventurer in you, too. It would be a shame if it takes you half the month or more to find it. If there was just a way to vaccinate against homesickness.

I think there is. And I promise to share it when we all get together next. Well, actually, by getting together with us all, you have already started the vaccination process.