Life's A Journey

Way back in 2007, I took a trip to South Africa. While it was an amazing trip, the 20 hours on a plane each direction just about killed me. At that time I vowed that it would be a good long while until I took that kind of trip again. I’ve stuck to that and have only traveled within the US since then. The longest flight I’ve been on since then is to Hawaii, which since I live on the West Coast, is still only a fraction of the 20 hours it took to get to South Africa. This Sunday, that all changes when I board a plane to Italy.

I’m at the point where I’ve traveled enough that I enjoy the destination, but despise the journey to get there. I know, I know, Aerosmith’s “Amazing” tells us that “Life’s a journey, not a destination,” but I’m thinking they travel a little higher class than I do. They’re up there in those business class seats that recline into full on beds, (cot sized bets, but beds none the less) while I’m stuck in coach, trying to get comfortable in my 12 square inches of space and then debating on whether or not I wake the aisle person up so I can go to the restroom or can I wait until they wake up?

Since that brutal 2007 trip, I’ve invested in some necessary travel accessories. Perhaps the best investment was in a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones. Crazy expensive yet crazy amazing and worth every penny. I’ve also acquired a plane pillow and a Kindle, both of which will be taking their inaugural trip to Italy with me. I’ve come to the realization that just like anything else you get serious about; it pays off to make some financial investments in travel gear. Just like most serious runners I know have a Garmin watch, most serious travelers I know have the noise cancelling headphones.

Regardless of how dreary I find plane travel, I am looking forward to this trip. It will be my mom’s first trip abroad, which for some reason is making me all the more excited. Although I’m not entirely sure that isn’t due to the fact that I don’t have to sit next to strangers on the plane. Best of all, we signed up for an 11 day tour, which means I didn’t have to plan a thing. At this point, I barely know where we’re even going, which is so unlike me. I’m not too worried though. After all, I have 13 hours on a plane to curl up with my Italian guide book.