Traveling Lightly: Musings on the Road of Life

2012-08-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

Going Abroad....

I was traveling on a buddy pass, from a friend of a friend who worked for the airlines. My travels thus far had taken me to Hawaii, Washington State, Canada, and back to the East Coast of the US for my road trip. My road trip was an enlightening experience, working through the mixed feelings that arose while traveling alone. Mostly, I got to know myself more and felt as though I had grown having dealt with those issues, and the issues that came from family and friends related to my nomadic lifestyle.

I was in Boston, visiting my long-time friends, who remarked how much better I looked after my travels. Remember, my travels started in a burnt out state of mind, body and spirit. I did feel lighter, and I was physically lighter as well. It felt good to reconnect, yet, I was also ready to continue my travels...not really ready to be back home again.

I dropped my car off, arrived at the airport, this time traveling much lighter than my original departure experience. My first stop was in Atlanta, GA, visiting a friend before leaving for Scotland and England. The visit was sweet and short, and I was back at the airport waiting for a possible seat to England.

The buddy pass means that your are flying standby and only if a seat opens up then you get on the plane - and it is a much cheaper ticket, especially for a multi-destination ticket. I had only paid about $300 for all of these destinations. A gift. One that I am still grateful for...thanks Jeff and Olin.

It was late in the evening, and the possibility of flying out was dim. A woman, originally from England, but living in the US now, was in the same situation as I was...waiting for a seat. We were told that there were no available flights for that night around 11:00 pm, so we started to consider our options. I called my friend to ask him to come back to get me, while simultaneously the woman offered me a place to stay at her home since she'd be coming back to the airport anyhow in the morning.

As I was on the phone with my friend, and, as I was receiving this woman's offer, the flight staff informed us that we were on this flight...moving us quickly into the plane, and me still on the phone with my friend, we realized that we were being put in first class, being seated with an offer of champagne. How great is that! This flight is several hours, and traveling first class was such a gift. The woman (whom I don't remember her name now), quickly became good acquaintances, settled in and enjoyed our unexpected pleasures of first class.

Unexpected pleasures...I was opening myself up for them, and as I did, they were increasing in frequency. There was such joy in that journey to the UK and I arrived in London well rested and filled with good food and champagne. To jump to the end of my stay in Scotland, I received the second gift of traveling first class on my return flight as well.

Although, I wish that there wasn't really a separation of classes on airplanes, since I believe we all deserve to be comfortable on planes, especially with such long flights. But, since I don't have a say in that, I was glad to have the experience and not have to pay a ridiculous amount for it.

Expect the unexpected and life is filled with so much joy and gratitude.

2012-07-12T15:46:00.002-07:00

Eastward Bound...

My friend who was one of my greatest supporters of my nomadic life, had a friend who lived in Kansas. I headed there, and spent a couple of days with him. He welcomed me with a generous heart and offered me a place to stay, for the short-term. Yet, I was heading back to the East coast to help my sister out with her kids. I look back on it now, with regret. I probably should have remained focused on my own journey. I rushed my time there, in a funky area, where I could have explored and enjoyed more. I drove through the Blue Ridge mountains in awe, but rushed. I only remember staying at an extremely cheap and clean motel that had an amazing view of the mountains.

I arrived late, woke early, and walked out to the misty view of the mountains and stopped in my tracks. I realized then that I was rushing my journey, yet I had made a commitment to be back to assist. The drive through the mountains touched my soul, with the power enveloping me as I drove. This was the most memorable part of that long drive back East.

In the end, due to my car issues, my sister had to make other arrangements since I couldn't make it back in time. This is a regret of my travels, and have learned my lesson. It really is important to change old patterns, and be okay with taking care of oneself and following your own heart...it was and still can be a challenge to live my life and let go of others expectations and opinions of what I should or should not be doing...and, to be okay with not doing my part.

My time back home on the East coast was short-lived. I connected with family and friends, which was enjoyable, but, I was not ready to be back. I dropped my car off with a friend and headed to Europe...

England and Scotland bound....

2012-05-14T17:32:00.002-07:00

My journey continues...

It was difficult to leave Mystical Moab in Utah. Yet, I was heading towards two new friends whom I met on the Big Island of Hawaii - fellow travelers. They were living in Salt Lake City, well known as the city of Mormons, yet it has much more to offer. My friend, was once involved in the Morman life. due to her family, but no longer participated, nor agreed with it, starting when she became old enough to decide for herself.

As I headed towards Salt Lake, my car broke down. Bummer. Some small town between Moab and Salt Lake is where I stayed to get it fixed. It was a big enough town that the delay was only one night, and the hotel was not too expensive.

Driving towards Salt Lake was breathtaking as I approached the City amongst the mountains. The traffic was horrific, delaying my arrival. Our reunion was met with excitement and joy. We explored the city, their favorite hangouts and the mountains by car and foot. It was an amazing few days.

Regrettably, I put myself on a time table, wanting to be back to the East coast to help out my sister and her kids. I say regrettably, because once again, I put someone else before me, and missed out on the experience as I rushed my visit in Salt Lake and the rest of the States that would take me back to the East coast. I wish I had declined the request for assistance and been true to my own journey. A lesson learned and revisited many times in my life. Over the years, I have improved on putting my own desires and preferences before me, even though the feedback and judgment can be full of disappointment and disapproval from others, and that I am being selfish (to live my own life).

In retrospect, I should have seen my car issues that came with this part of the trip as an opportunity to put myself first. As I attempted to leave Salt Lake, I had car problems. A pleasant delay, since I had another night with my good friends. I left, and headed toward Wyoming, then would head East. I was happily driving to some upbeat music when my car just died....in the middle of nowhere. I looked across the street and there was a camper parked, so if I needed assistance someone was around....no worries, my philosophy that I would receive help when I needed it was true, even on the remote highway of Wyoming. I was able to call AAA to let them know where I was...although being specific was a challenge since in the middle of nowhere is in the middle of nowhere. I happened to know the exit number I had last passed, gratefully.

I met Mike, a generous and thoughtful mechanic who drove me around to look for a deal on the hotel room. We went to three hotels before I found one that gave me a deal for the three nights needed to get the car fixed. Acquiring the car part required a three day delay since the trains wouldn't be coming into town with the parts until then. Almost in tears to hear this...I was getting frustrated with my car experiences. Being from Boston, with things easily accessible, meant that I was a bit spoiled. I had to adjust my thinking otherwise I would make this into more of a negative experience than it actually was.

I remember ordering Chinese food near the first hotel that I was at before I got to the mechanics, since it was too late when I had initially arrived. Suggestion: Don't get Chinese food in Wyoming. I remember how awful it was, and that the Lo Mein was basically spaghetti...not quite authentic Chinese food that I was accustom to in Boston.

Mike became committed to my car issues and my financial concerns, and took time on his days off to get the parts, fix the car and I was out of there before the 3 days. I was so grateful, and it touched my heart that he was so committed and kind - which I viewed as such a gift, and still do after all this time.

With lightness in my heart from my experience with Mike the mechanic, I headed East....