One of the things I do on long flights is writing a little note to the files. This one, I wrote it while flying from London to Bermuda was a bit of a post mortem on the RTW Adventure.
Ramblings from London to Bermuda June 28, 2019
London was good. So was Edinburgh. I was sort of under the weather most of the time. And I didn’t do very many normal tourist things. But, it was still good. I think I should plan on a visit to the UK or the continent every year for as long as possible.
Will I take another lap around the world? East to west next time? Top to bottom? Move out of my urban comfort zone? I don’t know. Circumnavigating the planet has been on my bucket list since before we had bucket lists. Back in the day, you could buy a ticket on Pan Am 001 from here to here for about the cost of a VW Beetle and you had a whole year to do it.
With advanced years come issues. Energy must be conserved. Isn’t that something we learned in Physics 101? Sometimes money has to be spent on things like cab rides. The cost/benefit analysis is no longer about money but about if I do this will I still be able to do that. And, for damn sure you don’t want to leave anything for “next time”.
On the positive side, people are really nice to little old ladies. Even nicer when I deploy the cane. And I have become much better at accepting help when offered and asking for help when needed.
I have learned that coffee shops exist for a reason. When I am feeling tired, lost, or overwhelmed, that’s when I need a coffee shop. Stop, sit, rest. Drink coffee. Regroup. Then carry on.
Don’t take “just in case” stuff. Anywhere I will be going, they will have stuff. On this trip, I acquired a cover for my new iPad. (At the Apple store in Singapore). Because my iPad just felt strange without a cover. And I bought a pair of cheap earbuds because my Dr. Dre’s just flat out died. (At a scuzzy shop in the Edinburgh train station.) I bought some bandaids in Singapore. I also bought various OTC sinus remedies in the U.K. I wish one had worked wonders. But no luck. So, if I need something I can get it. That is the extent of my shopping.
Clothes are vastly overrated. Socks must be wool. Well except for compression socks for the plane. Along the way, I ditched a shirt that I just didn’t like. If you are going to wear something day after day, you really need to like it. It needs to fit perfectly and feel good. At my age looking good ain’t happening. And, 2 shirts were enough. I also abandoned a little purse that wasn’t improving my life. And, this morning I retired my sneakers. Will make it home in sandals.
Will see about the camera. I am thinking maybe not next trip. Will have to see if I got a killer shot. A shot that made taking the camera worth it. I am not Ansel Adams.
PS – no decision on the camera yet.