Easing into my chair aboard the 747 at Newark international airport, I grab my phone and scribe a post on what used to be the Facebook wall “Let the European Adventure Begin”. I remembered how I got there, It was just a few months since Pop lost his battle to cancer. Me, a daddy’s girl, was still mourning.
I wanted to do something to get out of my comfort zone. I wrote a sort of a bucket list and at the top was a directive go to the most romantic city in the world, Paris.
Observing the passengers I was sandwiched between, I remembered asking family and friends to join me on this adventure. No one had been as far as Europe. No one believed I would travel solo, but I did.
And like a good adventurer, I wandered along the winding roads of the Latin quarters, ate crepes overlooking the Eiffel tower, drank as much french wine as I could stomach - and as I stood by the Arc de Triomphe that is exactly how I felt Triumphant.
For a moment, I forgot the pain and sorrow that awaited me back home.
When I returned my friends and family all vowed to join me on my next trip. My first recruit was my Mom, my road dog. and others followed starting their own tribes. Then a vacation rivalry ensued
We traded pictures, then post.
Safari in South Africa, Tiger Village in Thailand, Hot air balloon ride above the Great Pyramids of Giza. Whatever it took to win.
Always announcing the trip with my mantra.
Let the African Adventure Begin! Let the Caribbean Adventure! Let the Asian Adventure begin! Let the Middle Eastern Adventure Begin!
And then just as I was about to embark on what would have been my 14th country having made the announcement - Let the Portuguese adventure begin. President Trump announced the travel ban.
We are in a pandemic now and as we learn to survive in this age of social distancing. I remembered wasn't the monuments and sites that made the trips memorable it was the people
The black Paris tour guide for the of South African descent who told me “I always wanted to meet African Americans”
The British Poet who escorted me to the London open mic open mics
The group who announce welcome to Begin before asking folar a picture on the Great Wall. (they had never seen foreigners before)
And our cultural parallels
The Thai woman who pulled my skirt down in the temple the same way a baptist church mother would.
Egyptian BarTender who called me Nubian upon approach. I responded Brand Nubian a discussion on global Hip Hop followed.
The French Students who cheerfully shouted Obama when I told them I was a New Yorker. French people celebrating an American President, that was a different time.
My Last adventure was cut short instead of the wine of the Duro valley I have a bottle of Trader Joe's port (they say it's bottled in Portugal)
Wondering How will we continue the adventure in this time of social distancing
How about an adventure to Los Livingroom to reconnect with family
Or an adventure to the Santa Bathroom Spa to learn how to do your hair and nails
An adventure to Del Kitchen to learn a new recipe
Then there is St Bedroom to learn new technology. I don’t know about you but this is my first time I am using Zoom.
Do the things we have been putting off.
Until we can come back together enjoy the adventure of introspection.
Let the adventure begin!
