I was keyed up with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and anxiousness as we set off on our European adventure.
Don’t ask me why, maybe it’s my age. But anyway, let’s say I was worrying about lots of little things.
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Out of the comfort zone and into adventure
And I realise that I’d been happily lulled into a comfort zone within the safe confines of Western Australia where my daily routines were ordered and free from having to think about the where, what, when or hows of daily life.
But now on day three of our European odyssey I’m beginning to exhale. It’s ok, I haven’t forgotten anything too vital, I have adequate warm clothes, my toothbrush is packed, the hormone wotsits are deep in the depths of my suitcase, and most importantly my passport and credit cards are in a safe secret place which surprisingly I have remembered and even more importantly kept in a constant secret place!
So breathe. Yes, it’s possible.
I’m not the idiot I thought I’d become.
And for any of you contemplating a travel escapade then my advice is ‘just do it’ and don’t look for or at the problems – just go!
What was I worried about?
Appearing selfish.
Worrying that people on the tour would be much younger than me.
Anxious that boats might sink.
Worried that I’ll not be fit enough for bicycling in Croatia – ditto, that people will be much younger than me.
Wondering what’s it all about? Being so privileged – being able to jet off to travel and enjoy a holiday when there are people starving in this world and struggling to survive. I am very grateful, but is that enough?
Would you worry about these sort of things? Are you like me capable of hiding cares and worries behind a smile?
What am I learning?
That travel broadens your horizons and gives you a different perspective on life.
That meeting new people from different walks of life is interesting and fun.
That people are younger than me (mostly) but that’s ok. I can still play the fool a little 😉
That travelling is not scary and it’s easily doable.
That the kids are perfectly capable of looking after themselves, and actually (I can’t believe this!) have not wanted or needed to Facebook me very much!)
That I can exist with very few personal things (I am actually under the 20kg baggage allowance – Yay!)
That mainly all I need can be packed in a day pack which I can carry as a rucksack. (I’ll be writing about this in a future post).
That Dave and I really do still enjoy being together – even after 27 years of marriage.
Until next time … Do you have a favourite spot in Europe, or where would you like to visit?
That is a great article! Must admit to always preferring to avoid booked trips generally, but when I did one with Explore in Peru some years ago, I fully appreciated the ease of travel and friendships made along the way. Love your writing and humour!
Thank you Jane 🙂 Yes, organised trips definitely have their place in the scheme of things.
Jo, it sounds like you’re having a fabulous time. I’ve been checking out your photos on Instagram and they’ve been giving me my daily ‘fix’ until I get to Europe myself in a few weeks. What’s my favourite place, you ask – there’s just too many to name. So many places I have returned to over and over because I’ve fallen in love with them, and there are lots of new places I’ll be visiting this year that I hope will also become favourites.
Three weeks out and I’m starting to worry a bit, too. I’m sure the kids (young adults now, too, like yours) will cope without us and I’ll pack enough of the right clothes, and hubby and I will still enjoy each other’s company. What am I worried about?!! It must be a ‘mother’ thing!
Enjoy the rest of your trip 🙂
It’s a mother thing Carolyn of that I’m pretty sure! Hope you have a lovely trip and look forward to photo updates 🙂
Mum, sounds like you both are having so much fun and it’s so lovely to see and hear 🙂 Don’t worry about Sam and I too much we can fend for ourselves for awhile! (although the house doesn’t feel like home without you.) Have an amazing rest of your trip and enjoy every last moment of it. Don’t stress about the little things and enjoy everything that Europe has to offer! and hey in Croatia you can always opt for a day of lounging on the boat’s deck i’m sure! Lots of love and keep up the amazing blogs and photos! See you in three weeks xxx
Hi Em, thank you for your lovely thoughts and for being sooo supportive! Dad and I really appreciate it! Yes, I’ll keep on posting photos to Instagram and Facebook and blogging when I have time … the second one will probably be up on Expat Explore’s blog soon. Love you, and can’t wait to see you soon too :)))
Hi Jo,
So glad you’re having fun but of course you would and you definitely are a clever cloggs blogging while you travel 🙂 Love the photo of you and Mum. I’m hanging out to go back to France because I so want to practice my rusty French. Bon voyage! x A
Hi Annabel, thank you but I’m not so sure about being a clever cloggs! Blogging while traveling and dodgy Internet has been really tricky 😉
Jo it looks like you are having a fabulous time. I can relate to the small luggage allowance. Last year when we did some traveling in Costa Rica we had a 13kg limit due to some flights on tiny planes – and I managed 2 weeks on that. It just goes to show how much superfluous baggage we normally carry around with us!
Where are you off to next and how long are you in Europe? Keep us in the loop.
Oh Jo, you are just like me, I totally stress out before every trip for the silliest reasons even though I know full well that by the end of the first day I will have remembered that everything always works itself out. Although it took me almost two days to exhale in Malaysia, I think because I was alone with my Mr3 and not somewhere I’d been before.
I’m sure you are enjoying the rest of the trip already judging by what I’ve seen on Instagram. Also I wouldn’t be worrying about the people being younger than you, you probably know way more about social media and stuff than they do.
Ah I’m glad you do the same Amanda! I always stress! Thanks for your lovely comment, and I’m glad you did exhale quickly in Malaysia. Yes, enjoying!
Looks like you are having a brilliant time, beats my 5 day trip to Hong Kong, a day trip to China and a day trip to Macau x
That sounds awesome Rae!
Looks like you got to see the tulips at their peak time. Wonderful trip and I would love to be able to visit the area in Germany that my family came from. Your mother and family look so happy to see you and in good health too. That river trip really looked like a not to miss trip and I’m sure it was as wonderful as your photo depicted.
Thanks Neva, I ope you get to visit the area in Germany your family came from. Can fully recommend Spring as a good season 🙂
looks like you are having a wonderful time Jo and looking fabulous, calm and worry free. Thanks for letting us tag along through your blog. You have gone to places I have never heard of! I have only been to Europe once – and absolutely loved France. One of these days I hope I will go back again.
Thanks Jill, I’m trying to keep up but not easy to find time to blog. So glad you are enjoying the new places xxx Keep popping by 🙂
Ha ha Jo, you in those clogs! I have been to Amsterdam and loved it, however the Rhine River trip looks amazing. I think I will have to put that one on the bucket list. I do love castles! I hope you enjoy the rest of your tour. xx
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Hi Kathy, would have love to spend more time in Amsterdam – so glad you enjoyed it too 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts and for being supportive while I’m away 🙂
it looks amazing Jo. A whistle stop tour but enought to get a flavour of most of the places. Sounds as if Dave really enjoyed the flavour fo the Eiswein – we like it too!
We shall have to have a drop together soon!