I learned about this thing called proportional theory recently, which basically suggests that our perception of time is proportional to the total amount of time we’ve lived. For example, one year for a 10-year-old feels like 10 per cent of their life, but for a 50-year-old, it’s only two per cent. This makes time seem to pass more quickly as we age.

What I mean is that I started Zahra Travels 10 years ago, and the only way for me to keep track of memories passing me at the speed of light is by compartmentalizing them, mostly through travel.

I often ask my partner, “Was that before or after Mexico?”

“Did that happen in Montreal?”

“When was your cousin’s wedding? Was it the first or second time we went to Egypt?”

2024 was filled with defining moments that seemed to whoosh by. It’s very on-brand of me to remember them tucked between the batshit crazy.

So, without further ado, here are some fun and stupid moments that made 2024 what it was.

That time I was in Colombia illegally

Long story short, a miscommunication led to immigration not stamping my passport at entry. From my understanding of airport staff, there was no record of me being in Colombia. This was an issue because hostels check for it before accepting guests. The accomodations I booked refused to check me in. I went back to the airport the next day to correct the situation, but immigration and the Canadian embassy refused to help. They said my penalty would be a massive fine at exit or voluntary deportation.

Despite all that, I had an incredible time. Medellin, nestled between mountains and green corridors, was an electric city. Everyone looked like models. The food was affordable, and there was so much to do and learn. I know I say this about many places, but I’d actually live here. I went to Comuna 13, biked through the city at night, climbed 740 steps up Guatapé, went paragliding, and made so many friends. Raw, next question.

That time I missed four flights home

I managed to get out of Colombia without deportation and flew to Mexico on a whim. My partner told me he’d met some great people there and I had to come. He flew me out business class from Cartagena, and we ended up staying in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for two months. Every few weeks, I’d book a flight back and miss it because I was having too much fun. We worked, got shredded at the gym, walked the beaches at night, and partied a lot. We travelled to Holbox, Cozumel, Tulum and Cancun. No regrets. I’d swipe right on this energy a million times (but also book flex tickets next time).

That time we home-swapped in Montreal

We went to Montreal this summer and, luckily, had a friend rent us his place for the week because he was out of town. His place was in the nook of a typical Montreal street with storybook houses. Balconies felt like treehouses because nature romanced its way into windows. We’d travelled the same weekend as the Formula One races—basically the Eras tour for men—so it was impossible to find a decent place to stay on a budget.

We ended up loving his neighbourhood and biking everywhere. We met up with Toronto friends and caught up with a few Montrealers as well.

A few weeks later, we lent them our home when they visited Toronto.

That time I swam with sharks in the forest

I have never been camping before but I let peer pressure talk me into it this summer. My partner, on the other hand, is the king of camping. He has one of those apartment-sized tents that can shelter a village.

We went to Algonquin Park, which is around a three-hour drive from Toronto. We also thought it would be a good time to try mushrooms. I can clarify that it was not. All I did was roll around in my tent, picturing sharks attacking me. I want a refund, but not really.

That time I met the cast of The Lion King

After my layoff this fall, I spent my severance on seeing a movie IRL that I hadn’t even watched on TV. I read Hamlet, so I didn’t understand the hype over Mufasa and Simba, but I get it now. Nonetheless, I met most of The Lion King cast in the Serengeti in Tanzania. We camped in the savannahs and watched lazy lions, Madagascar’s Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo also entered the chat. For some reason, I felt safe through all of it. The men < bear girlies really know what they’re talking about.

That time my face burned and I did nothing about it

I thought I’d treat myself by going to a cute little spa in Zanzibar after climbing the highest free-standing mountain the world has to offer. Five minutes into my facial and chill, the lady dropped piping hot water on my face. The spa and hotel shushed and shooed me out so quickly.

I know I should have tried harder to stand up for myself, but I was on an island trying to hold on to the last ounce of peace I’d had left before a dreaded return to a job hunt. I settled for aloe vera and a shitty Google review.

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Before leaving, I just want to give my body a shout-out for being an absolute tough bitch this year. I put her through some crazy situations, workouts, substances, and injuries, but she stayed strong. ILY me. ILY2me.

Thanks for popping onto this blog over the last decade. You get a virtual cookie.

Ok bye.