Pre-departure Musings

I've never started a trip so anxious. A lot of this has to do with getting ready but also results from traveling without Carl and with someone with whom I've never traveled . But Sharon (Shay) has been a friend for more than 35 years so I feel comfortable with her. I think the hardest part for me is that the last time I went to Asia and specifically Thailand I had a bad experience which involved a gun. And this experience was in the same area of Thailand I plan to visit. It is hard to shake off the memories; similar to how I always feel riding a bike. Funny how life imprints things in your brain.

But yesterday martial law was lifted in Bangkok although it has not been lifted in the North where the overthrown prime minister is apparently still popular. I know from experience in Thailand before that no one there will explain much about the situation.

My promise to myself was to take everything I planned to pack and put 50% of it back into the closet. I did great until last night when I decided to add extra guide books. I wanted to take only one guide for each country. Plus it is funny that you have to travel with so many cords; a cord for charging the iPod, a charging station for the camera plus the cord to attach it to the computer, I'm taking a phone so it has a recharging cord. Yikes there are a lot of cords. And what about adapters?!

But those iPods are a wonder! I have lots of music on mine. I think it says I have enough music to play for 40 days but I don't think that could be right. I do have 2,432 songs and one unabridged book on it! I'll listen to the book we're reading for book group this month if I awake in the middle of the night so I don't awaken Shay. Cool.

Speaking of waking up in the middle of the night. I'm amazed that there are so many herbal remedies for this problem. I've got several to try but I especially liked the one that said it could stop repetitive thinking at night. Can flowers do that? If that works I'll wish I had found it years ago!

While I will be trying to deal with very hot, humid weather, Nick will be in NYC trying to stay warm in single digit weather. We'll both be dressed the same; I'll have light weight clothes and Nick will have light weight jeans, albeit with holes in the knees. Nick, I'm taking those jeans next time you come home! I don't want to worry about you getting frost bite on your knee caps while I'm over there.

When I leave on a trip like this I think a lot about my family. I find myself somewhat emotional because I love them so much and will miss them. Sting has a song about loving something so much you can let them go. Today is like that for me. I am acutely aware of how much I love my husband and sons and further my extended family and friends.

Wish me luck.