In 1995 my husband and I took our first trip to Europe, spending two weeks in Italy. We'd spent the previous three years building a business and, having hired our first full-time employee, thought we'd take a special trip together to celebrate and kick start the business of building a family. It was glorious. We spent a week hiking through the Cinque Terra, then split the second week between Florence and Venice. We ate fabulous food and never gained a pound because we were so active.
After returning home we found out we were, indeed, successful on starting a family and, nine months later, I gave birth to the first of two children. For the next 21 years we traveled mostly as a family either by car or short flights to kid-friendly destinations. Now, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we will, once again, cross the pond, this time to England. Which got me thinking about how different it is to travel as at 55+ versus a young-married, stronger of body and, dare I say, mind. Planning 1995 - With the Internet in its infancy it was off to the library to pore over travel books. 2017 - I've crowdsourced my way to a wonderful inventory thanks to the magic of Pinterest. Booking 1995 - Thank heavens for travel agents! We could never have navigated booking our stays with language barriers and dealing with mom and pop hotels in small Italian villages. 2017 - To the Internet! I managed to book air, hotels and ground transportation all on one site covering various hotels all without speaking to a soul thanks to an online travel packager. Packing 1995 - Pack as little as possible for two weeks so we can feel more bohemian in our travel adventures, washing our things in the hotel sink. Don't forget the cute little nightgown! 2017 - Pack as little as possible so we can just bring carry-ons to avoid exorbitant checked luggage fees. Not to mention having to actually lug it all with older bodies. Don't forget the Aleve and BenGay. (OK, and the cute not-as-little nightgown.) Hotels 1995 - Book as close to all the action as possible. It even makes it a bit easier to stumble back home after a few (too many) glasses of vino. 2017 - Book away for all the action so we can get a good night sleep in the peace and quiet. Documenting our trip 1995 - Don't forget the travel journal, video camera and 35mm! 2017 - Make sure the phone plan works overseas and the charger is packed. We'll post it all on Facebook! The times sure have changed, but getting away with my paramour will always be a highlight of my life. Good thing I booked those steroid shots for my knees before taking off.
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"I can't wait to be middle-aged!" Said no one ever. Just the same, there are some things I certainly appreciate about it.
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d.a.meek
Young at heart. Archives
December 2017
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