Those of you who read this newsletter regularly know I have several almost “rules” about traveling. For example: one country, no cell phones or laptops, lots of planning, etc. Well on this coming Monday, May 5th I am flying to Rome to meet my 20 year old grandson, Dan. Several of my rules will be broken by the time I return home. I bet you cannot wait to hear my report!
The biggest rule I am breaking is one country. I am doing two continents! After Italy, Dan goes off to school in France I am flying to Cape Town to see friends. At least it is not my first time to Rome (actually the fourth) and remembering will not be difficult. Cape Town (my fourth also) will be one big party after I spend a day checking out all those new fancy hotels!
The second rule I am breaking is a GPS! Can you imagine I have never ever used one, but driving with Dan from Rome from city center, no less, to Positano may be a challenge. So Dan can program the GPS and tell me what to do. Speaking of driving, I cannot wait to drive the Amalfi Coast road! With a stick shift car! What fun this will be. If you do not know, the road is a narrow one lane in each direction with 500 feet cliff drops on one side and sheer walls up on the other. The curves are so tight you cannot see on coming traffic let along get out of second gear! I am excited just writing about it!
A rule I am NOT breaking is taking along communication devices, no phone, no laptop, no tablet. I will not be connected. I will not read the newspapers or listen to news. For two weeks I will disengage from my work and normal daily life. Once a year I need to do this so I can re-energize my battery! Because I hope to be going for a long time.
If you need assistance while I am away, both my phone and email will have this for contact information: Janice at 617-588-4239 janicea@vistatravelinc.com or Jane at 617-588-4244 at janee@vistatravelinc.com. You can always call the main office number 617-621-0100 and someone will assist.
Have a wonderful May.. see you towards the end.. Peace, Harriet
PS.. “I was planning a trip to Italy, and was becoming overwhelmed by the choices: what days to go, what planes to catch, what to see and where to go. It all seemed like an unpleasant chore. So I talked with you (Harriet), and during our chat you reminded me of why I had actually decided to take this trip: you reminisced about the completely weird, wonderful, wheel-less city of Venice. You even used the word “exotic” which made me realize that not much of my day to day life is exotic; a trip to an exotic place is just what I need! And don’t even get me started about the museums and Michaelangelo-ish ness of Florence! Grazie, Harriet!”
– Frances
AlwaysHarriet 