Irene….
My plan was to head to New York today to see my mom, have dinner with my grandfather and then meet up with my dad tomorrow before heading to the airport for my 11:30 pm flight (sunday evening)….. that was my plan until Irene asserted her will with 80+ mph winds….
Now, I am unclear on when I will leave Northampton. I am meeting up with my dad on Monday morning for the car swap and then I fly out of NYC on Tuesday evening, arriving in Nepal on the morning of the 1st — two days after the original plan and a day after Katherine arrives.
At first, this morning, I felt frustrated. I want to leave – or rather – I want my adventure to begin. I have been staying with friends all week, I haven’t fully packed yet, I am living out of my car. I am ready for some semblance of normalcy (or at least living out of a backpack versus out of my messy car). i don’t want to loose out of any time in Nepal. I want to get out there! But – I am fairly powerless in setting my own schedule against a hurricane.
Irene is reminding me to take everything in stride. I could be stranded at some developing world airport without any friends in sight. I could be in a lot worse places than with dear friends sharing a great meal, waiting to see how irene will impact us tonight. I will get to Nepal this week, I will get myself packed and ready to go and I will begin my adventure (or wait, did it already begin?)
So, thanks Irene – thanks for reminding me to let go of my expectations and just jump on for the ride.
And, yes, we all must learn patience–or at least the ability to adjust to what is out of our control. You are doing very well with that one, my dear daughter!
Having expectations while traveling is like reading a menu online and then getting to the restaurant and learning that they are out of __(the thing you were going to order)___. Basically, useless, right? Everything is a mystery, so enjoy uncovering and discovering what you can. You might find something else on the menu that you love, and I can’t wait to hear all about it. You are outward bound, Baby!
Thanks Sarah — that is a great metaphor for me to keep in mind! I look forward to sharing with you what I uncover!
As an aside, Lindsay gave me, as part of my going away card, some of our journals from India as inspiration.
i hope to carry the best of our discoveries with me in my travels.
I wish I could have dinner with you up there before you go. I think it’s good to have some things out of our control – if you could make a decision about everything you’d probably go crazy with all of the options. You still have innumerable decisions (and road blocks) ahead of you, but I know you’ll make all the right ones. Or, I don’t think you’ll be able to make a wrong one. Also, I think everyone who compares you to Eat Pray Love should have to buy you a beer. Just sayin.
Love you!
thanks cassie – i wish that I could be having dinner with you too!!!
I agree — every decision will lead me down a path that won’t be wrong…. but the trick will be remembering that in the moment….
love you too! so glad you are ‘joining’ me on this journey!
The sun is coming out. Away you go!
What is that saying about things being worth the wait? Enjoy everyday of your adventure Aurora.