1 hour before the cabin door closes, flight attendants prepare for takeoff and I prepare for a takeoff of my very own — a round the world trip. Because I promised to be honest I must tell you — yesterday was the second worst day of my life. Yup.
On the cusp of reaching my major life goal- a dream I have held for as long as I can recall- one would think I would be ecstatic. It was so close I could taste it! No car, no home, nothing to hold me back- I am free. I can go anywhere I want. I can be anything I want. I can live anywhere I want.
Of course, all I wanted yesterday was to curl up in my own bed, in my own home in my town and sleep. I missed people so badly I couldn’t breathe. I wanted home. I wanted Central Coast wine. I wanted everything to be safe and normal. I cried so hard I made myself sick, I kept asking myself “what did you do?!?” I was panicked- crippled by fear and the desire to be comfortable. I’m proud to say that a bottle of Cabernet Franc and a dark room did the trick, and I was actually able to sleep for 5 WHOLE hours last night.
I am thrilled to report that today is the exact opposite. (hello, emotional roller coaster- xanax anyone?) I am at the airport. I am calm. I am confident. I am SO Ready to be home- Greece. I can’t wait to breathe the air- lock my eyes on the Acropolis- start speaking Greek- I just can’t wait to start!
Next stop after Athens? Can’t be certain. I’m thinking Olympia, Meteora, Delphi, or some island- only time will tell. Love to you all- let the games begin!
'Prepare for Takeoff, Leaving for My Round the World Trip' have 23 comments
March 3, 2010 @ 9:04 am martha van inwegen
Travel safe. Travel far. We will be living vicariously through you, so have a blast!
March 3, 2010 @ 9:08 am livevicuriously
Thank you- I will! and THANKS to you I will be traveling clean, too 😉 ActionWipes for all!
March 3, 2010 @ 9:20 am Debi
I can TOTALLY understand that reaction, and I read it as having your expectations in order. Of course you’ll miss some things about what you’ve previously called “home.” Of course every day exploring your dream will not be rainbows and butterflies. It’s still Life, after all. 😉
What a GREAT place to start! You may want to explore taking the ferry around some of the islands. When I was there (25 years ago on my honeymoon), a taxi driver said that was a good way to go (we were boarding a cruise) and that there were often people at the dock who had a room for let in their home. I could have spent a week or more at each island we visited, but I’m not bugged by islands like some people are.
Safe travels to you… and may you discover great wines wherever you go. ME, TOO on Donati, btw! 😉 Cheers!
March 3, 2010 @ 9:32 am Stina
Aww, B! It’s ok….just think, you’re doing what you’ve always wanted to do…and the Central Coast isn’t going anywhere. And I’m sure Greece has some DELICIOUS wines over there. So no boo hoos for you, missy!
March 3, 2010 @ 9:55 am Paula Swenson
Definitely go to the islands, take ferries, look for dolphins 🙂 find an island to spend 25 March on — you won’t regret it. Arrive a few days early, you’ll get invited to all the local stuff — stay through Easter and you’ll be family 🙂
Breathe deep, let the magic fill your heart and your sails!
~ P
March 3, 2010 @ 10:50 am Lisa Ortman
I promise this will be the BEST experience of your life. And years later when you have settled back down on the Central Coast with maybe a few kids you will remember every moment(good & bad) b/c they created an even better you. Enjoy!!
March 3, 2010 @ 3:12 pm livevicuriously
thank you thank you thank you! just know that i will be missing your Sangiovese!
March 3, 2010 @ 1:31 pm Craig Zabransky
Have a blast. You will never look at life the same and that’s a good, no a great thing…. Call it enlightment
but my only real advice….have FUN and of course stay adventurous -Craig
March 3, 2010 @ 3:54 pm Sean
WOW!
That’s amazing, well done for being honest but also for doing it. A lot of emotion stored up during your planning phase no doubt.
Can’t wait to start reading about the trip!
March 5, 2010 @ 1:37 am livevicuriously
Im finally here! I can’t wait to start writing about it. It’s everything I’ve wanted for so long, and I have it- how could that ever feel bad?!
March 3, 2010 @ 4:24 pm sarah layne
Have a great adventure. I’ve always wanted to go to Greece, so enjoy it for both of us.
Sarah – CoconutCourtBGI
March 5, 2010 @ 1:37 am livevicuriously
I promise to enjoy this enough for the both of us! 🙂 I will be posting photos upon photos in no time, I am sure… thank you so much for reading.
March 3, 2010 @ 7:45 pm ayngelina
Thanks for the honesty. You want the trip to be all rainbows and puppies but that’s never the case. I’ll be reading your blog and following along with your emotional rollercoaster 🙂
March 5, 2010 @ 1:38 am livevicuriously
No Doubt! The emotional roller coaster is at it’s peak of excitement currently!
March 3, 2010 @ 8:09 pm adam
Oh I’m so happy for you! Thanks for sharing your experience… I have a feeling I’ll be able to relate soon enough.
March 5, 2010 @ 1:38 am livevicuriously
whats the countdown to your date?!
March 5, 2010 @ 5:32 am Adam
I think I’m at 47 days. EEK!
March 5, 2010 @ 7:25 am livevicuriously
WOOHOO! you have NO idea how fast the last 2 weeks go, brace yourself because it will be a whirlwind of goodbye drinks, dinners, and parties! there is NO time to do anything necessary- everyone is pulling for any second they can have with you, be prepared! …47… !
March 3, 2010 @ 9:04 pm joanne
Loved the honesty. Living the dream through you. I hardly get outta my home or Pier 46 so Girlfriend, enjoy your life and your travels and experiences, and remember there are some of us out here wishing we could be in your roller-coaster shoes right now. What a RUSH! Can’t wait to hear more. Love ya! MUAH -Jojo
March 4, 2010 @ 8:15 am Suzi
Breathe deeply and say “Hello” to the Acropolis for me! My husband and I loved Athens during our brief stopover (about a day and a half) a couple of years ago! We plan to return to Greece in the not-to-distant future to get to know it better.
Have a wonderful time, as I know you will!!
March 6, 2010 @ 2:19 pm HydroJen
So glad you made it through that! You had to expect some ups and downs along the way…otherwise it wouldn’t be all you had invisioned! Right? There will be days you miss home and days you never wanna come back…savor the moment, no matter what! And know that we love you back here…on the Central Coast! Muahhhh… let the travels begin!
March 8, 2010 @ 2:12 am livevicuriously
I imagine it’s like childbirth. you spend all these months knowing its going to suck for a short period of time, real bad, and then you get something totally awesome out of it. I just didnt expect it to be *THAT* horrific!
March 6, 2010 @ 6:42 pm spunkygirlmonologues
Thank-you for sharing your thoughts. It’s great to read an honest blog. I hope you enjoy your time in Greece and your future travels.