Four annoying things we never dreamt we'd miss about travel (but now we do)

1. AIRPORT QUEUES

Airport queues were the devil's favourite mobile game. I mean, what a spectacular way to arrive at an airport on time and still end up almost missing your flight. And there were so many of them!

Now, though, the idea of standing in multiple queues patiently waiting to be patted down, stamped and interrogated seems almost cathartic. If there is one thing lockdown has taught us, it's patience.

Add to that the prospect of a big shiny holiday at the end of said queue and it is easy to see how we could all feel a little nostalgic for the grumpy customs officer at the end of your arrivals queue.

2. FORMS

Before we'd ever left the country, the majority of us had a cute, sparkly idea of what travelling meant. You leave the country, arrive at some kind of hotel and spend the rest of the time gambolling around a foreign country.

The unvarnished truth is that before, after and in between all the gambolling is a lot of paperwork. Mountains of it. Whether it's at the airport, the hotel or on the plane. There are papers to sign everywhere.

Nowadays I think a lot of us would sign all the forms in the world if they could get us to a palm-strewn beach where no-one speaks English.

3. WEIRD MONEY

Which sick, bureaucracy-loving Vogon decided we all need to have different money? And furthermore, that getting currency for certain parts of the world must involve first changing your money into US dollars before you get there and then changing said dollars into the currency you wanted in the first place? Sure, you can get to your destination and roll the dice with the ATMs but, as a general rule, cash is king.

Now, though, who doesn't think those funnily coloured notes are kinda fun? They do make for pretty souvenirs.

4. LUGGAGE

Oh my giddy aunt, luggage can be the worst thing in the world. Cumbersome, only vaguely mobile, and heavy. You have to pack it, unpack it, repack it. It can get lost, damaged, caught on things and is just a general inconvenience. Oh yes, and every now and then it crashes into the back of your ankle like a drunk plastic rhinoceros. 

But lord do I miss luggage now. It is, after all, also a sign of impending adventure, and packing for a trip is like stuffing a Christmas stocking with all of your excitement.