The Moral Dilemma Created By Traveling The World
NEW ZEALAND
Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist
I never imagined this would happen…
I understand that travel changes our perspectives. I know it challenges our comfort zone. Traveling the world comes with joyous hellos and tearful goodbyes. But, there is one, truly, unexpected, huge, painful, part of world travel I never expected. Just this week, while watching the South African Springboks challenge the New Zealand All Blacks at rugby, I didn’t know which team to support. From soccer to rugby, my allegiances are now forever compromised.
My solo world travels started in 1986 when I lived with a host family in Normandy, France. From then onwards, I became a Francophile. I spent a semester studying in Paris, then a year working there, and five more years working for a French company in New York. I went to France every year, sometimes several times a year, until the pandemic.
First It Was France
During my first year of full-time travel, I visited my French host family just in time for the FIFA World Cup. It was only natural that they were my favorite team in the world, and I, in my tri-color wig, cheered them to victory against Croatia. I felt like I was in the right place, at the right time.
Then Came Peru
In 2019 I went to Peru. I enjoyed pisco sours, Machu Picchu, and survived the high altitude. I tasted some of the most magnificent food of my travels, met amazing people, and fell in love with the country.
I hadn’t expected to be in Lima for the finals of another FIFA World Cup. It happened to be Peru vs. Brazil. France was already eliminated, but, what if they hadn’t been? Who would I have supported? Who would my cheers have been for if it were Peru vs. France? I shudder at the thought.
It was standing room only throughout Lima. This was the first year, ever, their team had made it to the finals. I magically found the last seat available, in a tiny pizzeria, and ended up cheering with all the people of Peru, watching their team in the finals.
You may know, or perhaps you just looked up the results, that Peru lost that match to Brazil. Despite the loss, I have never seen a city come so alive and be so happy celebrating the win of second place. It was a special, and momentous occasion and I’m so happy I was there to celebrate with them.
South Africa Took Me By Surprise
On August 1st, 2019, I flew to Cape Town, South Africa. An experience that forever changed me in so many wonderful ways. I felt a connection to the land, as if I had come home, even though I had never been. I made many friends, and was introduced to the Springboks, rugby champions of the world.
I continued to follow their games as I traveled throughout Southern Africa, and was in Portugal when they played in the World Cup finals against the UK. I of course donned the Springbok jersey bequeathed to me by a friend in Cape Town and cheered on my beloved Springboks as they went to victory, exchanging messages with friends in Cape Town throughout the game.
And What About New Zealand?
I landed in Christchurch, New Zealand, February 21, 2020. I expected to stay for three weeks. Eight months later, I visited friends in Auckland and went to my first All Blacks game. They beat Australia. I was brought to tears by the Haka, and shared in the shouts and proud cheers of all the fans.
This past week, the All Blacks played the South African Springboks. It was torture. I didn’t know who to support. Do I root for the team that connects me to the most visceral experience I ever had in my travels, or do I cheer on the team in the land that has harbored me and and kept me safe and become a second home? I felt paralyzed as I watched the game progress. All the while seated next to my flatmate, who happens to be the uncle of two current All Blacks players. No pressure there. The score teetered by mere points in one direction, then the lead was stolen by the other, the whole way through. (It was an excellent game, to say the least.)
Why Choose When You Can Appreciate Them All?
It was a great game, but, in the end, I found myself cheering for the team that played the better game. This time round, it was the Springboks. In reality, I cheer for all the teams. Seeing Argentina play, where I spent four months in 2019, brings me so many happy thoughts. At the end of the day, each team connects me to the wonderful places I’ve been, and rekindles so many memories that I have to cheer them all.
If you want to see every post I've written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I've been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you're a fellow solo traveler, or you're thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you're looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it's blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I've visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that's your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I've had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I've discovered about myself or about being, while I've traveled. If you'd like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.
You are in a win/win position given your circumstances. Lol.
Very true! 🤣
Haha if I had the luxury of choosing between the Boks and the All Blacks I would choose the ABs!
😬
I loved this post heather. I can feel your pain, tho I’ve never been into football or rugby so have not had this dilemma. I resolved my dilemma in moving to Canada by supporting the Aussies in the summer Olympics and the Canadians in the Winter Olympics. Since the Aussies are not that good at winter sports, and the Canucks not that prominent in summer sports it’s been pretty easy.
Ha! The perfect strategy I see! Well done.
I was born in England but have lived most of my life in Wales. My husband is in the same situation. Perhaps it’s just as well I have little interest in sport. He cheers for England, I am mildly pleased when Wales wins.
I so loved this post. Why to choose when you can appreciate all…well said. And, honestly, I do understand your dilemma to a large extent.
Yes! I think my appreciation has definitely expanded. 😃
Great post & really emphasises the impact travel & our experiences have on us. I love your story about Peru in particular. What an amazing place to be for that moment!
Yes Peru was so special at that time. Definitely one of my travel highlights!
Loved this! And right now there is another game, so who are you rooting for this time? LOL!! definitely an unexpected dilemma, but looks like you’ve got it all ‘under control’. It’s so true how we leave a little part of our hearts at all the places we travel to.
Yes and the Springboks won!! So now I’ve had both experiences.
I love the connections you made through the game!
This is interesting! I didn’t realize this post would be about sports. However, I enjoyed reading it and hearing your perspective on things. I remember having a similar dilemma several years ago. I had traveled to Albuquerque, NM to watch the NCAA championship. The ultimate matchup…. the (only) university from my state was pitted against the university in another state I wanted to attend. I ended up cheering for both teams much to the dismay of everyone sitting around me! Love the various way travel can impact all aspects of our lives. Thanks for sharing!
Yes it did take an unexpected twist. 🤣 Oh I can imagine everyone wanted to think of you as cheering for only one team and you cheered both. Good for you!
Sports, or is it football and soccer that brings people together on a united level. It’s the excitement and the exhilaration of the moments shared with others. Having been to football matches, that’s the feeling, and I’m not a football fan.
Yes! I love the connection more than the sport but it’s pretty cool!
How lucky you are to feel so connected to so many places! Loved hearing a bit of why you feel drawn to each place. I can relate in many ways & have many places that feel like home.
It is a special part of travel that the world feels like home!
We too love watching sports when we travel. A great way to connect with the locals. But I can understand that sometimes it might be a challenge to know which team to support when you have developed loyalties for different places you have visited.
I think Travel actually made me like sports more because of the connection with the locals!