Getting Ready to Go

After all the trips we have taken, I‘m recognizing the pattern of distinct pre-travel emotions I go through.  I love the planning, full-of-adventure phase that whisks me out of my day-to-day life and into our next exotic destination!  But as the trip approaches and is only a couple days away, I switch quickly into reality mode:  It is about to happen.  We are in the no-turning-back mode, yet it is still surreal.  I pray that life doesn’t suddenly explode and throw an unexpected wrench into the plans.  Anxiety comes alive!  In these last couple days I try to calmly balance commitments, work, home-life, and college applications.  Last night I spent an irrational, reoccurring dream lost in an airport with absolutely no idea where we were supposed to be.  My only true fear is leaving the kids, who are plenty old enough – but I love them to pieces.  Asia is a long ways away and we won't be readily available.

But today Greg relieves my building tension without even realizing it – he is silly and giddy and the man that I love.  He is joking with me and teasing me, which always surfaces when he is gearing up for time away from work.  He focuses on silly things like his last minute effort to find a particular bottle opener, which of course he successfully locates.  I’m glad he can tend to the important things!  (He might want to consider packing some clothes though, just a thought.)  Last night I completed my final stab at packing (better late than never, right Angela?!).  We are trying to bring nothing but bare-bone necessities.  Sadly I had to unpack the 10 pounds of school supplies I was going to donate to the remote village we are visiting…a monetary donation is much more practical.

Why Go?

In the advice from tonight's school board meeting from the retiring board member: “Never be satisfied with where you are at.”  In other words… always strive for more.  As a kid, my dream was to see foreign places from the movies and history books like Rome’s coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, romantic Venice, Big Ben, etc.  A war-torn Vietnam (from movies like Platoon and Good Morning Vietnam) never made it to the list.  Yet here we are on our way to Vietnam!  I can’t believe it! 

When my mom went in 2008, it didn’t even occur to me that visiting Vietnam was a thing.  But it planted a seed.  It wasn’t until 2012 when our British travel friends told us it was their favorite vacation that Southeast Asia not only made it to our “bucket list” - it made it high on the list.  Recently, Aunt Cindy’s knowledge and valuable advice is how we are able to make this trip happen!

Usually when we travel, I am our guide.  Not in Southeast Asia!  The language, alphabet characters/script, religions, customs – all of it is out of my comfort zone!  Even a simple task like crossing the street can be a hair-raising adventure!  So what are we going to do for 2 weeks?  Hire local guides and go on private tours … maybe that will help establish a base of bravery and allow us to venture out in pieces on our own.  Hopefully.

I am incredibly excited for our adventure!  I can’t wait to see these beautiful countries!

“Astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Vietnam is a kaleidoscope of vivid colors and subtle shades, grand architecture and deeply moving war sites.  The nation is a budget traveler’s dream, with inexpensive transport, outstanding street food, good-value accommodation and bia hoi – perhaps the world’s cheapest beer.

…Prepare yourself for the ride of your life!” 

-- Southeast Asia by Lonely Planet