ABOUT MY TRAVELS

 GOOD EVENING ... I've been thinking today, as I reminisce about life and past travels, which I do quite often - both reminisce and travel - how the trips and journeys make me feel alive and keep me interested in living.   

Not everybody understands my consistent drive and passion to travel, especially those who haven't been to other countries or are primarily homebodies. Travel for me is not only enjoyable and a learning and research avenue, but has been theraputic many times.

I also believe the basic urge stems from conversations with my father before my first marriage and inbetween all the others that followed ... he would suggest each time that I not marry, that I choose a career where I could travel. He was always saying in our coffee sessions that he wished he could travel more, but mother didnt like to. I think of him on every trip I take, knowing he would love to see and be in the countries and places I visit.  Actually I've felt he's been with me many times, watching over me. Guiding me. 

Even now as I go back and forth with should I or should I not take the extended trip I've been planning since 2019 ... which I began on January 16, 2020 and got as far as England before the pandemic hit and cut the planned year's journey short. However I stayed in England five months before I had to come back because the US was closing up as well as Europe and the UK. No more travel that year  for me or for anybody else. 

So I figured I'd wait it out in Las Vegas till the International travel restrictions lifted and then take off again.  In fact I planned a new itinerary.  But I'd have to give up my new apartment home and put everything in storage again.  I've been here eight months, and now I'm thinking I don't want to do that.  I like my home and it would be hard to replace. 

Also I've been to Europe and the UK almost every year since the mid '90s when my dad passed. And I know Daddy would be proud of me, in fact I used a conversation in my first Rachel O'Neill novel that he and I had about his wish to travel, and for me too. 

So I'm thinking now I'm changing, am slowing up and I'm a little bit tired.  Still I can take shorter vacations, but not months at a time, and not move out of my place. A couple weeks here and there, maybe. Am still hoping to go to Wales in September. 

But you never know with me.  Ha!  I could wake up one morning, super energized, put everything in storage and off I go again!!!  It's in my nature.  My life attests to it.  As you'll see in my next series - "Eight Husbands & Other Lovers".  Coming soon.

LEAVE ALL BEHIND AGAIN?

THAT IS THE QUESTION, do I want to leave all my stuff behind again?  What would you do?

I love my 3-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas (photos)  ... an ideal location and a wonderful space for all my furnishings and precious collectibles and mementos. But if I plan on traveling for months on end, such as the itinerary on the right,  I would have to pack up my apartment and put everything into LV storage in August 2021.  Can’t do both, lease an apartment stateside and travel on extended trips too. I can do short trips, without giving up the apartment. So there’s much to think about before June. 

Problem is I still feel the pull to continue my dream journey through other countries that was cut short by COVID last year. So, if travel permissions are given by June, when my apartment lease is to renew ... I have to decide.

If I do go on the open-ended extended journey, when I eventually tire of traveling, I may return to Vegas, may not. Either way, I love my freedom of choice.  ❤️❤️❤️

GO AWAY COVID! I’M READY TO GO AGAIN!

Depending upon the COVID19 restrictions lifting, my travel itinerary, beginning the First of September, is on top right. I plan to meet up with, for the first time, and have a cup or glass with 3 or 4 Facebook friends along the way ... will let them know when the plans are finalized. Of course my dear friend Roger, who I've known for years, will be starting me off on this magnificent journey by being host and tour guide my first two weeks in Wales. ❤️❤️❤️  

Have already booked apartments, guest houses, and hotels in all other places. The month of December I'll be in Weymouth, England, before going to London and flying to Italy. Oh yes, must visit my dear friends on the south coast of England, of course; I'll be there through December, including Christmas and New Year’s. Fingers crossed I'll find time to start writing “Guesthouse Row”, since the mystery series is set in Weymouth by the seashore. So, I'll be making notes and picking the brains of the previous and present guesthouse owners; beware! Ha!

Notice I’ll be staying right on the Cinque de terre in Vernazza, Italy, a week before Florence. You know I am very excited about that, will attempt to walk the trail between towns as far as I can, even if it’s in January. Ha! But there are trains that run through tunnels between the five cliff-side towns, so I imagine I'll hopping on and off. I watched a Rick Steves travel series about Italy, and he recommended staying on the Cinque de terre, gave tips. I've used him before, even stayed in the same place he did in Bruges, Belgium.

Can’t wait for September! And I'll have my 81st birthday while in Wales!