“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”

Dr. Seuss

I’m back! It’s hard to believe it has been over three years since I’ve travelled internationally. Three years since my passport has had a new stamp added. Three years too long.

In my last post, I talked about the lessons I learned while traveling during COVID, and all the changes happening in the world. More has changed, so let’s do a recap. In the past three years:

• Over 6.5 million people died of COVID.
• The US had an election, an insurrection, the swearing in of a new POTUS and our first female Vice President. A former POTUS has been indicted. A horned Shaman went to jail.
• I got my Peloton. Completed over 1,600 workouts – riding, strength, meditation, walking, yoga, running, etc., – 187 consecutive weeks, and still going.
• I have a new job, combing my first career in finance, with my second career in nursing. Yes, I’m one of them…Administration.
• I have travelled solo, and loved it. Albeit only in the US, I found I like my own company, and I don’t get bored with myself. Spoken like a true introvert.
• I’m no longer a New England Patriots fan. I know, I said I was diehard. I was, until I wasn’t. When they signed Cam Newton, one player I’ve have never liked, I tried to watch, but I just couldn’t. Then I saw pictures of Bob Kraft and his new wife, and they creeped me out, so that was it, I was done. I then started to cheer for my “other” favorite team (unless they were playing the Patriots), the Buffalo Bills. So now, I’m a Buffalo Bills fan. I will never use the term diehard again.
• I lost a beloved aunt during the pandemic in Italy, and a dear childhood friend in December 2022.
• My cousins started having babies; the next generation has arrived.
• I have one dog now, Oden. He’s my little ray of sunshine. Cooper joined Chloe, Sara, and Pepper over the rainbow bridge.
• Apple AirTags are the new “must have” for travel so you can find your bags when the airlines can’t. With the AirTags instead of waiting for luggage that will never appear on the carousel, you can start filling out your claim form online with the airlines. In case you didn’t know, this has to be done before you leave the airport, and before you can file a claim with your travel insurance company. I even put one in my carry-on.
• Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022; much to the surprise of Russia, Ukraine continues to show their strength and resilience. In October 2023, the horrific images emerged from Israel as the terrorist group Hamas staged a surprise attack killing over 1,000 Israeli civilians. Hamas continues to make threats against the world, and vows there will be more attacks worldwide. With increased threats, registering your international itinerary with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) becomes even more important.
• I’ve faced the most difficult 17 months of my life. My parents came to visit in Chandler in December 2021, and never returned to Pittsfield. My dad passed away in November 2022, after a heroic health battle. My mom passed away in May 2023 from a broken heart, less than 2 weeks before what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.

Three years. The passing of my parents has me unsettled. No matter where I was in the world, I always knew where home was. Home was where my parents were; they were my North Star. When your North Star is no longer shining, you get lost. I know someday I’ll find “home” again, but until then, I’ll rely on my family and friends to guide me when I am lost.

Tonight I’ve taking off on an adventure with my cousin Lynne. She’ll meet me in Lisbon on Monday, and we’ll join our tour group. This will be my first time using Smithsonian Journeys, and we have an academic expert taking us from Lisbon north to Porto, then over the border to Spain. We’ll follow the northern border through various cities, head into the mountains, resting for a few days in the Pyrenees, and end our adventures in the vibrant Catalonian city of Barcelona. We’ll stay in three historic hotels, visit world heritage sites, and try new cuisines along the way.

I’m not sure if I’ll write every day, or after we leave each city. We’ll see how it goes. I promise not to write too much. I have a new iPhone 15Pro, and I’ve been taking some online classes to learn all the new features. I’ll let my pictures tell the stories.

Time to go. I’ll see you in Lisbon.

Ciao 💕