I just got home from three weeks away, both to my beloved Italy then to Istanbul for the first time. Often when I travel to Italy I focus on co-hosting a tour with my dear friend Elizabeth Minchilli and have just a few days before and after to decompress. This trip was a bit more expansive allowing me time to truly sink into a state where my mind could cut back on its incessant chatter and allow new vistas and ideas to flow in and replenish my brain and body. So much of what I crave when I’m depleted is natural beauty. The gentle hills of Umbria with its golden fields and still green forested areas topped with historical hill towns to explore has for decades been my sweet spot where I exhale, deeply. This time especially was deeply restorative, partly because although I arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, I didn’t stop in the city, instead opting to take transport directly to Elizabeth’s house in the countryside outside of
Evan, flying was painful enough when I was young, but I was always determined to remain cheerful and squash down the temptation to give way to tears and tantrums when subjected to rudeness, incompetence, inefficiency, hordes of people, sensory overload, physical discomfort, tiny seats, nonexistent legroom, having to stare straight ahead to avoid motion sickness (so all those hours without a book, movie, etc), bad food, and drunk passengers. But now that I'm older, I worry that hours of being crammed into a tiny seat with my knees up to my chest will give me deep vein thrombosis or uncontrollable claustrophobia leading to uncontrollable screaming! Now with every passenger holding onto their cell phone continually like grim death, I'd be afraid of freaking out and having multiple videos of it out there! No thanks, I'll stay home.
I'm so happy that you got to Turkey. The food is so great! I'm going to get some of those Apple tags for my upcoming trip. Thanks for all you bring to us. I loved the recent interview with YOU.
Evan, hope you have recovered. Going to Italy in October so loved your account. Jealous you were in Istanbul. Love, love it and all of Turkey!! Looking forward to you report!
I'm still a big lagged but back at work trying to bring what I loved from the trip into my life which is always a challenge. Turkey was a revelation. I can't wait to go back.
I'm telling everyone who wants to travel now, or who has tickets, to consider postponing until the Fall. Hopefully by then the airports/airlines will have figured this out, increased staffing, etc. but as your story went, it's easier to stay put ; )
Absolutely true. It's also way too hot in Italy. Spring and Fall in Europe are dreamy. Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time with our Elizabeth Minchilli and then in Istanbul.
Evan, I'm facing, with increasing reluctance, a much shorter flight at the end of August--Boston-Zurich-Athens--but everything I read about travel right now, including your most recent, fills me with foreboding. I have found that requesting a wheelchair, which at my advanced age I consider something of a right, makes a huge difference. It's a little disconcerting to be treated as a senile elder on the verge of dementia, but believe me, it's worth putting up with the embarrassment for the ease with which one gets through most of this. I highly recommend it as a tactic.
I hope Athens is your final destination with an island hop from there. Perhaps postpone until fall or next year? Once you get there it's dreamy but when I look at those videos of people waiting hours to check in I know myself, that I couldn't do it.
I can't postpone as I am the guest expert on a Smithsonian/Ponant cruise of the Greek islands. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve, number one being to fly business, and number two being to request a wheelchair. At my age I deserve it!
I'm worn out reading your journey home, and I'm to old to travel is such a hassle.
I'd love to go on your trips to Italy. I love Italy, France, & Switzerland.
Bless you dear Evan, e
PS There has never been a greater restaurant than Angeli's
Hahaha. I was worn out too, but sleep solves a lot. Join us! We have a lot of fun.
Thank you for your kind words about Angeli. I miss it too.
I'm afraid my world travels are a thing of the past, until such time as I can get around by being "beamed up!"
Every time I'm in the pod that is an airplane on a transcontinental flight I wish that the "beam" technology was upon us.
Evan, flying was painful enough when I was young, but I was always determined to remain cheerful and squash down the temptation to give way to tears and tantrums when subjected to rudeness, incompetence, inefficiency, hordes of people, sensory overload, physical discomfort, tiny seats, nonexistent legroom, having to stare straight ahead to avoid motion sickness (so all those hours without a book, movie, etc), bad food, and drunk passengers. But now that I'm older, I worry that hours of being crammed into a tiny seat with my knees up to my chest will give me deep vein thrombosis or uncontrollable claustrophobia leading to uncontrollable screaming! Now with every passenger holding onto their cell phone continually like grim death, I'd be afraid of freaking out and having multiple videos of it out there! No thanks, I'll stay home.
I'm so happy that you got to Turkey. The food is so great! I'm going to get some of those Apple tags for my upcoming trip. Thanks for all you bring to us. I loved the recent interview with YOU.
Evan, hope you have recovered. Going to Italy in October so loved your account. Jealous you were in Istanbul. Love, love it and all of Turkey!! Looking forward to you report!
I'm still a big lagged but back at work trying to bring what I loved from the trip into my life which is always a challenge. Turkey was a revelation. I can't wait to go back.
I'm telling everyone who wants to travel now, or who has tickets, to consider postponing until the Fall. Hopefully by then the airports/airlines will have figured this out, increased staffing, etc. but as your story went, it's easier to stay put ; )
Absolutely true. It's also way too hot in Italy. Spring and Fall in Europe are dreamy. Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time with our Elizabeth Minchilli and then in Istanbul.
Thanks for reading it David. xo
Evan, I'm facing, with increasing reluctance, a much shorter flight at the end of August--Boston-Zurich-Athens--but everything I read about travel right now, including your most recent, fills me with foreboding. I have found that requesting a wheelchair, which at my advanced age I consider something of a right, makes a huge difference. It's a little disconcerting to be treated as a senile elder on the verge of dementia, but believe me, it's worth putting up with the embarrassment for the ease with which one gets through most of this. I highly recommend it as a tactic.
I hope Athens is your final destination with an island hop from there. Perhaps postpone until fall or next year? Once you get there it's dreamy but when I look at those videos of people waiting hours to check in I know myself, that I couldn't do it.
I can't postpone as I am the guest expert on a Smithsonian/Ponant cruise of the Greek islands. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve, number one being to fly business, and number two being to request a wheelchair. At my age I deserve it!
Smart! Have a great time!