Travelling again...

Packing, ironing, sorting, choosing, decisions, weather forecasts... since when did a week;s holiday become such a big thing.  Years ago I used to throw a few things into a backpack or overnight bag, lock my door and just go.  I would worry about hotels when I got to my destination and life was just so much easier and more spontaneous then. 

Wait! That was never me, I must have been thinking of someone else. I never just threw anything into a bag and went. My earliest memories of packing was when I was 11 and going to summer camp for two months.  Imagine the anxiety attached to packing for two months.  This involved long lists of what was needed, labels for all my clothes, including socks and copious amounts of sweets and treats being packed.  I did this every summer for six years and each year the packing nightmare got worse.  Each year I wanted more and more clothing, more shoes and of course, more candy.

When I went to Europe for the first time in 1968 I took two enormous suitcases , no baggage allowance then.  As a matter of fact I took such heavy cases that I had to rely on the kindness of strangers to help me in every city.

Now I pack lighter and don't need help from friends of strangers.  I do like to be somewhat independent. I wish I could relax and let go of my need to check all train timetables, flight delays, bus schedules, possible highway repairs and other assorted possibles.  I wish I could spontaneously pitch up in a new city and find any bed for the night, but I am a creature of comfort and want to know in advance what the reviews say about the place I am intending to stay.  I want to know if the beds have bugs or the neighbourhood has a local crack den.  Call me foolish, but this knowledge helps me relax.

I am off to the Italian Alps tomorrow.  It's exciting and I'm looking forward to spending some days with wonderful friends.  The road to their house is in the mountains and I have been warned that it consists of 23 (!) hairpin turns.  I am not  great with mountain roads and I am mentally preparing myself for this journey.  As long as I don't have to drive I can block out this bit of my holiday.  I am,on the other hand, anticipating great food, warm weather,clean air and lots of good conversation and good grappa.

I debated taking my computer with me so I could continue to write my blog.  The idea of sitting in the Alps with my computer is not one I want to entertain.  Getting away from things may mean getting away from the tyranny of technology too.  I may or may not have regular access to a computer but I am not shlepping mine with me.  So, just as it was last time in Holland, I may give my writing a bit of a break.  I may keep short notes for myself while I'm away and catch up when I'm back.  I'll take lots ofphotos and play tourist for a while.

Right now my packing is done, the ironing is finally over for a while and I'm about to reward myself with a long, hot bath - something I haven't done for years.