And so it begins...

Judy. Friday night we boarded a flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Why start there? An RTW (Round The World) business class ticket that begins and ends in Europe is roughly the same price as an economy ticket beginning in the US.

Eastbound to Europe is always tough on sleep. Frankly, I’ve had so much on my mind that I’ve slept very little in the past week, and, unusual for me, I couldn’t even doze on the plane.  By the time we staggered through customs to a hotel at the Frankfurt airport (thank you Ted and Trip Advisor), we could barely keep our eyes open. We got some sleep, had a good German dinner across the airport mall and then trudged right back through security for our next flight, right back across the Atlantic to Vancouver, Canada. Crazy - but worth it as the next leg proved.

Business class is nice. We started with breakfast in the business lounge and then were treated like royalty on the plane. I had lots of room for yoga stretches. It was a huge difference from our coach flight over!

We found a super hotel in the West End of Vancouver, the Sunset Inn. Our first dinner was local oysters and beer at the Fish Shack. Walking back to our little “apartment” we grabbed a couple of fresh cookies at a bakery and were dead asleep by 7 pm. Sleeping 10 hours, we woke up refreshed. After Ted worked out in the fitness room and I took out my yoga mat and practiced (first time since I broke my arm, which is now in a removable splint), we were ready to face the day. 

I had booked a chiropractic appointment from Atlanta, knowing that after 2 long flights in 36 hours, I would need it.  As Patti Smith says, “I like getting’ old,” but I’m even more aware of taking care of myself! Dr. Zavosh got my back straightened out, so we walked a healthy 8 miles around the city, visiting Granville Island, trekking along by the harbor to the Tea House in Stanley Park for lunch, then through this magnificent park and past Canada Place to Gastown before we collapsed in a coffeeshop. Tonight will be a quiet evening in!

Inkshuk - the Inuit symbol for "You are in the right place."

"Anticipatory Pleasure"

Ted.  One of my grandmothers taught high school English. She often used a phrase to describe the utter joy of looking forward to something. She explained that the upcoming event did not always live up to expectations so the anticipation was often the greater pleasure.

Forty years ago, three months after we were wed, Judy and I headed out on a three-month trip backpacking around Europe. The attached photo pretty well exemplifies our feelings at the airport waiting to board.

Now, having packed our remaining few belongings into storage, hugged our family and friends, and received a special blessing from the rector at our beloved church, we are heading out again. In our dreams, everything will be perfect. The reality will be shared right here.

And what is my greatest expectation? Making the acquaintance of wonderful people all over the world and enjoying unexpected rendezvous with friends and family!

Setback

Judy. Well, sorta.  We went to New Hampshire to celebrate our niece’s wedding and spend time with Ted’s family. So since grandson Parker was with us, we spent a few days in Boston showing him the city.  By the way, at his request we went to one of the three

Museums of Bad Art.  What a hoot—I highly recommend it!

Of course, we had to go skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond —Parker had never tried ice skating, and, after a 37-year absence, I was dying to get back out there.  We both were careful, both had spills, then I started feeling my oats.  Halfway around the rink, I decided to stop and check on Parker; hit a lump in the ice, and went down like a ton of bricks.  When I tried to get up, it was clear I’d hurt my hand.

Long story short, Ted and I sent Parker off to the Science Museum, and we spent the day in the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital getting my broken wrist taken care of.  On the positive side, I got excellent care, and the orthopedist said my bones look good, and there’s an excellent chance no surgery is required.  Great news for this traveler, as I have every intention of follow-up care in Atlanta, and plan to get the cast cut off in Australia!

If this is the price of livin’ large, I’ll pay!  But, dang, it hurts.

Kudos to everyone we met along the way.  Boston is full of fantastic people.