Comfort Zone Gone!

...life begins...  Life begins at the end of your comfort zone...a quote I saw, so being alone in Athens is truly beyond my comfort zone, so I guess life is beginning!

This is the second time I've tried to write, the last entry I saved in draft form, but it seems to be gone, I wish these techie things didn't have to keep changing!  Can't keep up.

I just have a couple of minutes so this will be short.  I'm at the Athens airport waiting for the transfer to the port, a 70 minute drive they say.  The wifi is free here but it keeps shutting down and I lose things, so short is best right now.  Apparently there will only be five people on the bus, this is a different cruise, with most of the people already on the ship since the entire trip started six days ago in Rome.  I think I am going to like the small boarding crowd today.  I've been here  before so it is okay I'm not getting a tour today.

I have a new hero, met him on the flight from London to Athens yesterday.  I don't know his name and will never see him again, but what an inspiration he is/was!  Actually I met him while waiting for the plane, he was across from me and when I looked up he was putting, actually squeezing, a Rosetta stone Greek edition in a very, large, very packed backpack.  I kind of laughed and said something about him being loaded down.  We began to talk.  I would have guessed he was in his early 20's, but as his story unfolded I knew he was much older than that.  

Once Again...

Once again...the adventure begins!  Yes, it's true I am just going on a short cruise, with a few days at the end to play, but for me, I feel like an exploration has begun.  An exploration of our world and of the people, and the cuisine, in it.  And maybe even a bit of an exploration into me.~~~~

Who knows what I will find?  Whatever it is, I'm sure it will add to the person I'm becoming, whether it is new friends, new foods, new sights or new experiences.~~~

The journey started off great.  The first flight left on time and my upgrade to 1st class went through so it was fun to sit in comfort.  As people boarded a very big, strong man boarded the plane dressed in scrubs that said something about emergency care specialist.  Felt safe.  A bit behind him came a rather small structured man with a big muzzled dog.  The dog had a thick collar that in bold letters had the word 'POLICE' printed on it.  My first thought was sadness that the dog had a muzzle on, then I started wondering why?  There was a bit of commotion because the man had been given a seat in the middle of the row in economy and the large dog couldn't even fit in the row.  Finally a lady gave up her seat in the bulkhead of the economy plus row and the others agreed to let the dog have that space.  I was still thinking, poor dog!  The journey went well and the breakfast we were served was better than most in the recent past.  It seemed short, about two hours.  As we got up I just had to talk to the man with the dog who had been a few rows behind me.  Turns out he is a bomb dog on his way to a job in Wisconsin.  He does travel around the US doing that sometimes.  Still, I felt so bad for that dog having his mouth muzzled that long!  I said what if his ears needed to pop and he couldn't yawn?  The man with him didn't seem all that concerned, although he did seem kind.  I know working dogs are important and necessary and have a purpose, but I thought of my big guy at home playing the swimming pool at his kennel and wished that for this squashed, muzzled, gentle Belgian malinois.~~~

We deplaned, and I had a few hours to wait for the afternoon flight to London.  I was relieved to be in Chicago on time, I don't usually do the international connection thing on the same day, and after the extensive delays on my last trip in Winnipeg of over 24 hours, I'd been a little concerned about connections.  But all was well for a while.  I happened to be near the American Dog restaurant at the airport that I'd discovered on my trip to Pennsylvania so I went to have a dog for lunch.  I won't share the one I choose, but I will say it wasn't healthy, but very tasty!~~~~

I enjoyed the comfort of the lounge and started reading the new 'book' I had purchased.  I do enjoy my iPad, but have a problem referring to reading material on it as a book.  The time passed nicely and when I checked my email there was a notice that my flight had been delayed.  Oh no, recent memories of the Winnipeg delays came rushing back.  At least they wouldn't have to fly in a mechanic from Chicago this time since we were IN Chicago, so that was a bit of a comforting thought.  I went to the counter and the lady made some calls and after about 30 minutes assured me the plane was in, and would leave at the delayed time.  It was due to an airport condition...hmmm.  Well later on the flight I spoke with a flight attendant and discovered what the 'airport condition' meant.  You know, when you take time to talk to airline personnel, you can learn a lot...for example at the airport I had learned that within the last couple of weeks there were some things added into the pilots' new contract that didn't make them happy, but that's another subject.  Back to the flight info...apparently each airlines can only land so many days in a quarter, or six months, before 6 AM in London, it's called a curfew.  There is a very expensive 'fine' for exceeding that limit and expensive to circle once there because of fuel used!  So they delay the flight instead, and yes I guess it can be considered airport conditions.  Hence the delay.  Now what I wonder is why in the world do they schedule the flight to arrive before 6 AM to begin with?  Oh well, I am not running the airlines.  And so we waited.~~~~

Finally we were on the plane and I settled down in my seat that reclines 180 degrees, I do love those business seats that do that.  So I'm settled in and a couple gets on and asks me to change seats with one of them to take their window seat so they could be together.  I explained that I booked aisle seats so I didn't need to climb over someone sleeping to get up.  I've learned that it's okay to be nice to strangers, but not when it is a big inconvenience to me.  it makes me feel like a not nice person and for a short flight I would do that, but not for an eight and a half hour one.  The man who was in the other aisle seat did agree to do that for them, nicer person than me, apparently.  So he became my seat mate and he was quite interesting.  He is a safety manager and works overseas and what interesting stories he had to share.  He was in Iraq for three years and is now in Dubai.  He said it is dangerous but it provides a good life for him and his family.  He shared stories of some experiences I would never be able to go through for ny amount of money...gosh, I was tackling my fears just headed to Europe for 2 weeks!  But his stories were better than a book!

After a delicious meal of a tender steak about 3 inches thick, with many salads and sides, it was time for a nap.  I watched a bit of a movie and only slept a short time.  The flight ended up being an hour shorter than predicted, but be assured we DID NOT land before 6 AM!  It was about 7:30 by the time I made it to the hotel.  After a very warm greeting from ll of the men at the concierge desk, I left my luggage ther and proceeded to check in.  This is not a pleasant experience at this howl, I only come because those men take such good care of me.  A couple of them actually always remember exactly which month I was here before, amazing.  So is check in was no more pleasant than ever.  No rooms were ready which I totally understand, but they told me they would add 25 GBP to my charges if I did check in before noon.  Now I've always been here early and never paid that and there was nothing about that on the website or package I'd purchased, even though I'd put in early arrival, it is always something here.  So they finally decided to waive that and I spent the next hour in the Starbucks in the lobby enjoying an iced tea.  Finally the room was ready and unfortunately the former manager who used to work mornings and was so kind is gone, and there would be no complimentary Internet for me, it would cost 25 GBP, yes they were set on that extra money.  I declined and quite exhaustingly went to my room.  I wasn't in the room 5 minutes before one of the concierge men knocked on my door with a password for me so I could use the Internet free.  Yes, these gentlemen do take very good care of me! ~~~~

While waiting for my room I called my friend Diana, in another part of England, hoping a trip to see her either by bus or train would work out.  Unfortunately, nothing short of renting a car and driving on the 'wrong' side of the road would work so we were not able to arrange a visit.  Sorry Diana, I would have loved to see you and Alec, and I do hope your brother is doing well.  It's a good thing I didn't head there, though, when I finally fell into bed, I slept over five hours, apparently I was tireder (?) than I thought.  I woke up, had some fish and chips at the bar in the hotle and then thought I would have a visit with my other British friends, Peter and Terry,  but that didn't work out either and  so back to sleep I went.~~~well here I am now...I hope that tomorrow goes well and I find myself safely in Athens by the end of the day...more from there!

Now it is the middle of the night in London and finally I am wide awake. 

Confession...

Confessions of a well traveled, yet still reluctant, adventuress...

Panic set in...what was I thinking?  Yes, I had planned a European adventure built around a VERY economical cruise, (yes, cheap!).  The ship leaves from Athens for a short, but destination packed, cruise.  The cruise was less expensive than a Caribbean cruise, with each of the three places left I wanted to see in Europe as part of the itinerary.  How could I resist?  And why travel that far and only stay a week?  So the planning began and I was playing with ideas, hotels and flights as though I was planning a day trip to Boulder.  

However when all was final and the eve of the big trip arrived...panic set in and I was ready to cancel all that I could, and stay safe and sound in my comfort zone, surrounded with my dogs.  Home, in my 'box'.  Really, who is this Mitzi who thinks a trip around the world is like a visit to a park?  What happened to the person afraid of everything?  Well, for a short time she reappeared, filled with worry and fear...and panic.  

But that was last night and today I am now sitting in the airport lounge in Chicago, back to my new self and excited about my upcoming adventure.  That fear worked in the past as protection that I no longer need.  A bit of past fears is okay, after all, they were part of my life for a very long time.  The trick is to no longer be paralyzed by them.    So luckily I worked past them and left the old Mitzi at home.  Adventurous Mitzi s on her way to Greece and beyond!

Big Beluga Birthday Bash

So, here I sit...at the gate in Winnipeg...my 3rd time at the airport trying to get to Denver, only a two hour flight away. I worry that two planes so far have been delayed/canceled due to mechanical problems. I thought the daring part of my trip was the Churchill trip, but it appears getting home is instead. It looks good, but then yesterday we were on the plane with the door being closed when the pilot noticed a puddle of oil under the plane and the mechanic had to be flown in from Chicago to fix the oil leak. So I was rebooked for this morning with the hotel and dinner paid at least. More sleep for me, I was lucky to get a room at the airport hotel. So at 5:30 this morning I was checking in for a 7:30 flight...delayed because of mechanical problems also! I got rebooked for 2pm and now I will see if I get out. It looks good, and I hope so, the hotel is already booked for tonight. Apparently a lot of fishermen come in this time of year. So quite possibly this adventure is coming to an end. I'm not sure Denver has felt this far away for a long time!~~~~~so while I have a few minutes I will share this big adventure~~~~~well that is as far as I got before being distracted and then leaving Winnipeg behind. I arrived in Denver in the evening, with new birthday memories, not all of them good...but being home safely is the important thing.

Reality

I signed on to write more about the end of my last trip, and start writing about this trip...but after seeing what happened in aurora, only a couple miles from my home, I have many different thoughts and feelings, totally unrelated to my adventures. Although with some thought, I realize that in a way they are connected. Life is so fragile and in a second it can change. So I will continue to believe that each day should be lived to the fullest. No one knows what is ahead, so hopefully I can continue to make the most out of the opportunities I find along my path. Maybe it will be trying a macaroni and cheese/bacon hot dog at America's Dog, or eating Swiss fondue in Switzerland, maybe it will be wandering the charming streets of Mykonos or Bruges, or maybe it will be sitting in a zodiac in the Churchill river feet away from beautiful beluga whales...whatever comes along I will grab on and relish the joy and thrill of the moment. And that is exactly what I'm doing now...embarking on my Big Beluga Birthday Bash...in Churchill, Canada!

Mitzi and the Amish...part 2

Hmmm, with the weather so beautiful I have to admit that the flight delay is a surprise...well sort of. I guess they are not ever a real surprise, but the lines are so long that I chose not to wait in one to see why. I recently sprained my ankle...sounds minor, but it is quite painful in certain positions. It was taped up, but was just too tight so I removed the bandage in favor of the boot like ankle support, only to find out it really doesn't work well with my tennis shoes. So at some point I will have to try to find an ace bandage, even though I don't know the proper way to bandage it, which apparently is important. It will be better than no support. Ligaments take 5 weeks to heal, I really don't hve time for this injury, but it could be so much worse, so I'm trying to be grateful for that.~~~back to Lancaster, PA and that last adventure. Not much to see in Lancaster on a Sunday. We didn't go to Bird-in-Hand or Intercourse (yes, really that is a town in Pennsylvania!), but did enjoy the experience at Millers Smorgasboard. We got there a bit early for the restaurant, so enjoyed browsing in the gift store and the quilt shop. I never thought of myself as a quilt person, but I loved so many of the ones I saw! Lots of bright colors and beautiful patterns. I looked at the price of my favorite...$700, so no quilt for me! But maybe it is time to get out the fabrics and pattern books I bought a few years ago when I thought I would start one, and just make my own. After browsing we went to the restaurant. Our time was limited because we had the hour drive back to get to the matinee performance at 2. We decided on the soup and salad bar, and what a great choice that was! The breads were delicious, the soups unbelievable! 8 or 10 choices, and although I only tried 3, I'm quite sure they were all just as tasty. Highly recommend this place if you are in the area. We also had the choice to have the full meal, too much food for us, and we could have even have chosen a dessert buffet, which,if we had more time, I just might have done! But we were running out of time and so I just ordered one piece of pie...the pie I was told I HAD to have in PA...shoofly pie. And was I glad I'd ordered that! You know I'm one to try anything that is recommended by locals, and my, that was quite an experience. I would say it sure comes close to Lilys caramel topped waffle in bruges! I had wet bottomed pie, not sure what it means, but it didn't matter, it was incredible! The top crust was brown sugar and probably butter, the filling molasses...and butter..the crust, probably flour and well, more butter. I haven looked up the recipe on line because I DON'T need to know how to make it! If you have a chance you just might want to try it yourself. Then later we tried the whoopie pie, another recommended delicacy of amish country. That is two large devils food cake like soft cookies filled with a delicate cream. Delicious! Then off to the play. Other than the close to unbearable heat, it was delightful. So much fun to watch a family member on a stage like that actually one of the main actors. What fun! After the play we went to get a snack in the famous 'Jiggers' but with very long lines a nd the fact we weren't hungry at all, we decided to go on to Hershey, PA. Chocolate is quite the theme there as you would imagine! I was told to smell some of the flowers, they even smell like chocolate, but I forgot. I did however, get a chicken sandwich, and the chicken had been marinated in chocolate! Can't say I tasted that, but it sure was good! Signing off now to see if my flight really is leaving...hope I won't be writing more soon!

Mitzi and the Amish...

Well, here I sit at the airport once again! Was it really only 10 days ago when I returned from Pennsylvania? Busy time and no time to write, but as I sit here waiting once again...I have time to reflect on that short, but great trip.~~~I just realized I'm on my iPad so there won't be paragraphs so back to my squiggles to show a new paragraph, hope it works for you!~~~back to PA...the trip was short and the purpose was to see my cousin perform in a summer stock performance of "grease" in the 'mountains' in mt. Gretna. It was beautiful there, so green, especially after dealing with our record breaking heat and drought conditions. I arrived late and found that I was quite nervous about renting a car and driving in an unknown place. My hotel was at least a 30 minute drive from the Harrisburg airport...on a very dark turnpike with few exits. I realized I was more nervous about that than some of my international trips! But once I got settled in the car,learned how everything worked, and got my directions right, I was fine and ready for a new adventure!~~~luckily, it was a gentle adventure! My cousin was staying at another hotel so I didn't get to see her until the next morning. Her son is the actor, singer, dancer, and always a pleasure to see. So I knew it was going to be a delightful weekend. When I arrived it was late and I would have had to drive on some dark country roads for quite a while to get somewhere to eat. So time for the 'picnic' I am always prepared for. I got a cup of hot raspberry tea and lots of ice so I had a nice iced tea to drink. I had crackers from the airport lounge and my individual peanut butter containers so I opened that and had a nice little meal. Then I had my banana for dessert and I was set for the night. I believe you should always travel with food because one never knows when you might be 'stranded' far from anywhere to eat. I always have a couple of the individual containers of peanut butter in my 'liquids' bag now, wherever I go. I don't use them often, but I'm sure happy to have them when I need them!~~~I had a good nights sleep and was ready to go explore Amish countryside the next morning. I'd already accepted that I was there on a Sunday so I wouldn't see much of that life, but with my signature persistence, I finally found a smorgasbord with gift shop that was about a half hour away. Well they SAID it was half an hour away, but as my cousin told me when she picked me up, everywhere is further than they say as she had learned the few days she had already been there. She was right! Ahh, but when we arrived it was well worth the drive, what delicious food they had!~~~time to head to my plane, so more later!