Travel Time

A wise Chinese philosopher once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."   This journey began with a single thought, one year ago, cooked up by my sweet daughter Page.... " Mom I wonder how many people would be interested in a Pilates retreat in Italy next September?" Once the message was placed on her phone in seconds it was buzzing off the table with people very interested in this opportunity.  I too took the bait, but of course I couldn't imagine going for just a week or two.  No, somehow I was able take a one week retreat and create a three month adventure.  As usual, I figured that since I was in the "neighborhood" I should see as many places as possible. 

The worst two parts of any trip for me is figuring out what to pack and then the long plane ride. Once I arrive at my first destination the rest is just one exciting day that turns too quickly into weeks and months. Another difficult part of traveling for an extended time is leaving my darling grandson Will. He is such a wonderful child who is changing and growing up so rapidly and each week he expresses himself in an even more mature way.  At nearly two and a half, Will never fails to surprise me.  But I digress.

Europe is one place I've only just sampled ever so slightly.  Michael and I traveled there on a twelve day Mediterranean cruise in 2006.  Each stop was delightful, but so quick that it was almost embarrassing to say that I'd actually visited.  It was more like a sneak peek. We really didn't have the opportunity to savor the actual flavor of each place.  This time I hope it will be a bit different with a month in Italy, a month in France, a week in Spain (yes, I know, not enough time) and a month in Portugal.  

I arrive in Italy on September 3rd along with my daughter and her partner, Chandy, and their son, Sebastian who will turn three in Rome.  Also along for the ride is a new friend from San Marcos, Carol Heighes, and a friend from Nosara, Costa Rica, Rosie.  Sadly, Rosie with leave right after the Pilates retreat ends on the 16th of September, but the rest of us will continue our push north from Rome and Casperia (where the retreat is to be held) to Florence and then Venice.  In each place we will have several days to wear out the treads of our shoes pursuing historically significant churches, castles, walled cities and museums.  It is my intention to sample the food in small cafes and watch the people of the world go by.  I can't wait to show everyone how wonderful it is to wander and get lost in the maze that is Venice.   

From Venice, Carol and I will head for Paris and Page and her family will head for Switzerland, where two of Chandy's sisters and families live.  I have never been to Paris so this will be a special treat that only got planned at the last minute.  From Paris I'll say goodbye to Carol, who will return to San Marcos, and set off on my own by train to Nice. 

In Nice I will meet up with many who hail from Canada and have signed up for this long stay in Nice, France. Lucky for me Richard, the dear sweet man who continues to keep me happy and brings music into my life, will also join me at this point to experience the next two months of the adventure.   I look forward to keeping a journal-blog of this experience.  I find as I age, it has become even more important to have this record to jog my memory of the people and places I have gone.   

If anyone has suggestions of places to visit, restaurants to try, or European travel tips I'd be grateful to have them.  I will leave September 2nd but I think I'm going to repack my bag just one more time, it's become a hobby of mine!