My grand-daughter, Christy and her family have created a “night before I leave on a walk” tradition. They throw a party for me! We celebrate by eating some “forbidden food”. This is under the guise that there will be no good food (forbidden food) where I am going. Right…. Well … any reasonable sounding excuse works to eat yummy stuff in abundance!
I believe it is important to plan your trip before you go somewhere far away. Lists of things to do, things to take, documentation needed, and schedules are created and examined repeatedly .
However, the universe has a sense of humor. Things don’t always pan out no matter how many lists you beautifully create and review.
It all started with my phone, which I really had not had long. This is serious business. My phone is a harbor of important things as well as my only camera. Yes, it is another way to keep my lists always handy.
Two days before leaving, my phone mysteriously found itself in a toilet. Although I hate to admit this, this is not my first time. You always hope if you pull it out fast enough, no damage will come to it. As a last resort, I tried to place the phone in a jar of rice to dry it out. Nope … dead and done,It’s life cut short. Oh, I never by insurance… why for… you ask. I do not need that extra cost. Well, $700 dollars later a new phone and insurance was obtained under the concept that I had “lost my phone” (who wants to admit the damn thing dropped out of my back pocket as I stood up from the toilet). All was not lost all data in tack!!
The morning after my dinner with the family, my girlfriend and I drove toward San Francisco so I could catch the Bart and ride into the San Francisco International Airport. We had a little trouble finding the Bart Station. With a couple of turn rounds and drive byes, we found it. We took a little longer than we expected because of traffic. But no problem.
We got out of the car, our energy charged up with anticipation, just a little shy of the opportune time to get to the airport and go through customs. I said, lets take a picture of us at the Bart Station to document the event. I went to pull out my newly purchased phone only to not find it in my backpack. My friend Leslie just laughed, I’ll call you like I usually do to help you find your phone.
Dead silence. I pulled my backpack apart, no phone…time is ticking I need to get on the Bart train or else… I experienced a mounting anxiety. I stopped it in it’s track. Saying to my self I am not going to let this freak me out. I told Leslie, I was okay. I have my tickets, passport and money. I am not going to let this stop me. I will figure it out later. My next to last famous words.
I gave my friend a hug and kiss and said thanks for the ride. Once again reassuring her I will be okay. Onward to Ireland!
