I’m so lucky to have people who care about me. And my feet. Lucky to have feet, too, which people can care about.
Sorry, but this is how my mind has been working lately as I get ready for Greece. The worlds worst traveller counts down to departure day.
So far, I have accomplished a lot of random (but extremely important) stuff in preparation.
1. Went shopping with my daughter and granddaughter to pick out Birkenstocks sandals on Sunday. I have been wearing them ever since to get them molded to my feet and a little less stiff. They are marvelous. Me and my feet are very grateful.
2. Got my hair cut exactly a month before the trip, because from past experience I know that it will take a month of growth for me to like it. Am a little bummed because I’m actually liking it right now.
3. Made an appointment for a pedicure for the 28th, less than two weeks before I leave. Maybe I will post a picture of my beautiful new feet in my beautiful new sandals. If you are extremely excited about this, my goodness. That’s kind of sad.
4. Bought a kind of over-the-shoulder backpack/bag to carry passport and other very important papers and cards and itineraries which I am currently amassing. Along with lip gloss. Because I can’t leave home without that.
5. Ordered some euros on-line. They should be ready to pick up at my bank in 3 to 5 business days. My bank is about two blocks away from my house. But on-line I could take care of this while wearing a nightgown.
6. Bought some Skechers Go-Walks, in case we take some long and torturous tour on foot. They are lighter than running shoes and so incredibly comfortable I almost forgot to take them off in the shoe store to pay for them.
7. Have booked my flight to Toronto for the tenth of May, where I will stay overnight because the flight the next day from Toronto to Athens is 10 hours long. That’s a lot of hours hanging around airports and sitting on planes, so I’ve spread out the fun over two days.
8. Decided that the magic number for outfit packing will be twelve, subject to revision based on whim. We will be gone for about 17 days and I can wear six things twice. I have no idea if this will work, but I am a notorious over-packer and find it very easy to go over the weight restrictions with my luggage.
9. Got two cards of earrings, 18 on each card, every one of them the same sparkly fake stone in a silver setting. My ears are double pierced so I can lose over 30 of them and still have a matching set. Overkill? Yeah, probably. This is a great example of how I pack, the operative phrase here being ‘just in case….’ Because, you know, they might not sell earrings in Greece.
10. Look at that, made it all the way to ten and there are still many, many things over which to obsess. Like changing my email settings so that I don’t get over a hundred a day, mostly from blogs that I follow. Finding an adapter, deciding which rechargeable things I can’t possibly live without, practicing being pleasant and agreeable so that my family doesn’t drown me in the Aegean Sea, scheduling posts for when I’m gone so everyone will know where I am whether they want to or not.
Well, there, I think I’ve got all that out of my system and out in the open for the time being. I’m incredibly lucky to be going, I know that. I may never go anywhere so far away (and quite so willingly) again. I wish I were a better traveller and could be dying from excitement rather than anxiety. Big deep breaths, in either case.
For someone that excels in taking it easy, I would say you have worked pretty hard to get ready for this fabulous vacation! 🙂
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Every so often I am able to get my shit together. lol
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🙂 of course you are. You’re writing is very enjoyable.
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That’s smart to break up the trip like that 🙂
Sunscreen for sure, make sure that is in your bag!
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Yes! I will not forget the sunscreen! And thus it will probably rain a lot. haha
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Greece! In my twenties I was flying from London, Eng. to Athens as a holiday from my research. During the l fight I helped a woman and her husband with her two very young children. At once point, the woman asked me where I was staying. I hadn’t figured that one out yet. They invited me to their place, gave me a traditional meal with all the relatives there to great the family back home, a lovely room and a generous breakfast. while the man drove me to the docks where I was taking the boat to Corfu. Corfu was quiet, sandy beaches, extraordinary blue skies and great street food. I stayed in a rather small B&B a block away from the sea.
I am certain you’ll love your time in Greece. 🙂 Have an iced coffee in a terrace in Athens, if you so wish. 🙂
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What a great story! Iced coffee on a terrace in Athens is now on my bucket list. I will raise my glass to you. xxoo
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🙂
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Have a fabulous time!
We’re just across the water in Cyprus. It’s heavenly.
I’ve lived in Sketchers Go-Walks for the past 2 years. I’m on about my third pair.
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That is the highest recommendation ever – you should bill the Skechers company for advertising a great product. Yes, I’m expecting it will be heavenly as you say, once I get there. Must relax and let the process be just as heavenly.
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I hope you have a wonderful time…bring me some of that Greek yogurt back. 🙂
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Aww, I would love to do that for you. I will look into finding a refrigerated suitcase…..lol
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I’m really going to enjoy this trip. Keep me posted. Greece probably has places where you can wash clothes too.
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Yes, they probably do. 🙂 I hope to bore everyone to death with the entire holiday experience when I return. You have been warned. lol
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You’ve well prepared. Sounds like a great trip. You can easily trim the outfits— I find when I travel, even if I bring several, I tend to wear the same thing. A few extra t-shirts, perhaps. The sandals and shoes sound great. Have fun!
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I can’t count the number of times I’ve taken things that never made it out of the suitcase, so I’m taking your advice to heart. Still lots to do before I leave. Obsessing about clothes should not even be on the list. 🙂
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Everyone else has commented about the trip–I’m too dark a shade of green for that, so will comment on the writing instead:
“Sorry”, indeed. Hmphh. That opening was as cute and tricky and engaging a one as I’ve ever seen, and you just can’t help yourself!
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I’m so sorry I made you green 😦 Funny thing is, if I never had to go anywhere at all I’d be perfectly happy I think. But it’s nice to have the option to figure that out I guess. I’m so happy you like my rambling. lol You’re right, I can’t help it.
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I know that butterflies feeling, take it bit by bit and you’ll get there – and back! have a nice holiday…
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Yes, be in the moment! Just breathe. I’ve learned to do this to get through stressful times and remind myself it’s how every day should be. Going with family, so it can’t possibly be anything but awesome. ♥
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Oh, I didn’t realize you were going to Greece! I’m so excited for you, can’t wait to hear/see your adventures 🙂
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Can’t wait to share them with you! I might even learn a few anciently historical things. And I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad picture there, so I’m excited too. 🙂
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Once you’re on the plane, you’ll probably forget what the heck stress is! I hope so, anyway. Enjoy!
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It will be wonderful – enjoy as best you can. You can’t over-pack happy memories 🙂
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