Off To Spain

[poliphilo]

I haven't been out of the country in ten years.

When I was younger I did a lot of travelling. At nineteen I hitchhiked from one end of France to the other. I set out on my own, but by the second day I'd met up with a French lad called Henri Mouillefarine (Dampcorn) and somehow or other he attached himself to me and we completed the journey together. I didn't like him much.

I've been to
France
Italy
Germany (just about)
Switzerland
Holland
Crete
Egypt
The Czech Republic
The USA

And now we're going to Spain. It's ridiculous how nervous I am about it. Is this a regular thing- that one becomes timid as one gets older- or have I just let myself go?

This will be my last post for about a fortnight. We're leaving first thing in the morning.

Comments

[besideserato.livejournal.com]

OMG, have fun both of you! I think you will find Spain is nothing but a bouquet of wonders!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks,

We're staying just outside Barcelona. Part of the package is that we get to see lots of art- Picasso, Dali etc....

[besideserato.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I remember you mentioning that when you were first planning the trip some months ago. I am SO envious. This sounds like tons of fun. I hope you guys bring back some photos!

[dadi.livejournal.com]

Have fun! And obviously I am already awaiting the beautiful pictures :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

We're taking a digital camera each (with the capactity to store well over 1000 pictures between them.)

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I don't see Sweden and Denmark on that list. Bon voyage, and enjoy the sunshine for all the rest of sun, who are beginning to mildew.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

The Scandanavian countries are high on the list of places I'd like to visit.

[aftertorless.livejournal.com]

You and your beloved will absolutely adore Spain, I am certain. I look forward to reading (and seeing) your exploits upon your return!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'll be fine once I leave the house. It's the anticipation that plays on my nerves. I'm looking forward to it a whole lot, really!

[aftertorless.livejournal.com]

Don't let it play on your nerves. It's not that you grow more timid as you age, it's just that you haven't left the country in ten years. Give Spain a few days and you'll feel nineteen again, I promise. (And aren't you happy you won't be hitchhiking across the country this time?) :-)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Gosh, but it would be good to feel 19 again......!

We've just finished the packing- so that's one less thing to worry about:)

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful journey, both of you!

I'll miss you, and I'll be thinking about your adventures.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks

We'll miss you too....

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I was married to a Kentuckian.

I spent most of my time around Elizabethtown, Ky, with side trips into Tennessee and Indiana.

Also I spent three months working in Philly, with a couple of touristy nights in Washington.

[kishenehn.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful trip, sir. And take lots of pictures!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'm taking a digital camera with a capacity for storing over 900 pix.

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

I used to grab a border pass and the appropriate currency and vanish for a 3-day weekend at the drop of a hat when I was stationed in Germany. Today, I also get nervous- even traveling inside my own country, and I am a very experienced traveler. I think it's age that makes us more cautious.

The nerves go away- once I hit the ground at my destination, my old happy-footing travel-self emerges, and I am a happy camper.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I get nervous about going down to London. And London's my home town!

I think it's all about anticipation. I reckon my nerves will largely disappear once I get on the coach.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I think the timidity is normal. At least, I've gone through the same thing.

The important thing to remember is that it doesn't have anything to do with anything--it won't prevent you going, and it won't prevent you from enjoying the hell out of the trip, it's just how you feel in advance.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right. Once we start the journey I'll probably feel fine.

Thanks.

my experience

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

I travel a good deal and feel what I think of as
jet lag in advance, an increasing malaise as the
departure nears. and within every trip perhaps
moments of thinking god this is a disaster...nonetheless
in the end all is well amd in particular my most recent
trip to Sicily which I have only lightly touched on in
my journal(except for pictures)was very luminous not
only in memory but within its time...may the same be for you
and uh why not look up an internet cafe where you are going
and keep in touch?
anyway bon voyage +Seraphim

Re: my experience

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

"jet lag in advance"- that's an excellent way of putting it.

My own experience is that the anxiety subsides once I'm underway. This is probably the worst time- the night before- but once I get into the taxi tomorrow morning I'll start to relax....

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

Where in the USA have you been? :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Kentucky, mainly.

But also Philadelphia.

And I've had jaunts out to places like Washington DC.

I was married to a Kentuckian first time round- which means my kids are half-American. (They even poossess a dask of Cherokee blood.):)

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

Ah, not very close to Boston then. I think the nearest place would be Philadelphia, but that's about 7 hours from here :| I've never been to D.C. or to Kentucky...

So do you kids have British accents? hehe

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

*your :-x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes- they've got Northern British accents. My kids were brought up in Britain and have only ever spent limited ammounts of time in the States.

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

They're lucky. I want to visit the U.K. someday. My father spent a few weeks in London in the late 70's, and he loved it.

[four-thorns.livejournal.com]

ah, DC. my parents took me and my brother there, when we were 7 and 9, respectively. we were a bit too young to appreciate our nation's capital, however, which i think they realized when we said our favorite parts of the trip were the subways and the bats at the zoo.

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

Is this the motor coach trip for people obviously much older than you two are? :)

Safe and enjoyable journey!

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, June 15:

I surely do miss you, Tony! Hurry home.

LJ isn't the same without you!