Let the adventure begin...

A journey into the unknown. Today we head to Amsterdam!! #amst22 It seems like we have been imagining and planning this trip for some time. Travel, particularly foreign travel, is possibly my favorite adventure!! I often get to know myself and my traveling companions in a deeper way. Our typical customs and comforts are tweaked, and you just keep adjusting and adapting. Our rhythms shift and expand. Getting to Europe is an endurance challenge. Airplane travel is always sketch. You just have to be patient and aware.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the Mediterranean cruise we took in 2015. It was magical! Mom was such a great traveling companion. She was having a blast. Meeting Henry was a real turning point and highlight of the trip. It is the moments like that which just can’t be planned. Having the right mindset and remaining open to the experiences is key. Trying to keep my habits and routines going is one of my biggest challenges. However, if I don’t manage my sleep and my digestive system it can all go sideways in a hurry. Thankfully the places we visit are very active. Lots and lots of walking.

My brother is hosting us, and his wife is meeting us there. We are all very excited. It is great to have someone local that is familiar with the city. And that enjoys planning adventures and getaways. Our role is just trust and enjoy. Stay present, open and let it just move us. I just love foreign travel!!

At the moment I should be packing. It is so hard to just get that done. For all of my years of travel for work, you would think I’d be much better at the task. It is just hard for me to narrow down and to commit to what I am brining. Overpacking seems to be an issue on just about every trip I take. My thoughts just flashed to my first foreign travel adventure. My cousin Shelia and I went with a couple of her friends. They had been daydreaming and planning for months. At some point along the way, I crashed or was invited to join. The timing worked well. Once we decided to go, things just kept falling into place. We saw five countries in a month’s time that trip. It was the winter of 1988. I had just completed my bachelor’s degree (a major milestone for me) and was free. Again, the timing was just perfect. When I later traveled with Mom and Dad to Ireland, we had to arrange things around the dates. Given the length of these trips, you need to find a chunk of time. It is rare when it just all lines up. Mostly you just have to make the commitment and then start to work toward making it happen. Every time it is totally worth it!!

I feel like Dora the Explorer. Ready for an adventure. It is such a great feeling, particularly when you have a willing travel partner. Thankfully Mary and I do very well on adventure. We just love it. We are both capable and do our part to balance the responsibilities and the fun. Up until this point our focus has been on work and things while we are away. That part is now complete. Shay is bonding with our friend/house sitter. Our friends/neighbors have graciously agreed to look in and provide support. What more could we ask for really?! It seems it takes a village to do anything. We are indeed blessed. Did I mention that I just love foreign travel?!?!?