Before I leave – Barcelona/Rome

How lucky I feel to be going to get to see Barcelona and Rome in 2016!!!  I have wanted to see both places for the longest time, even looking at possible Mediterranean cruises, etc. to get to them!  I’m so grateful for this opportunity!

Since I became single again, I have had more than my fair share of travel and I know that had my situation remained as it was, this would never have happened.  I’m finally beyond feeling like a failure for not successfully staying married “forever”.  I’ve known all along, yes even years before it ended, that forever was not going to be awful maybe, but not going to be very fulfilling either.  It takes two loving, caring and considerate people to weather the storms that inevitably exist; a strength of character and resilience to endure.  The magical word in that last sentence is TWO.  No matter how hard one may want to endure and overcome, if it isn’t TWO, it just will not happen.

I have always loved travel.  And I still love it today!  I also love coming home so I know it’s not a running away thing.  For me it’s exciting, and renewing!  I love learning about different cultures, lifestyles and beliefs and my curiosity is forever open to new experiences, so I suspect I will never tire of it!.  However, I’m well aware that financially I won’t be able to do much more travel.  I’m 58 years old, working hard, still in school and still “eyes wide open” to new experiences and opportunities, even if I’m not overly adventurous!

I foresee that, especially in retirement, I won’t have the means to continue my travels, so, well, I’m soaking them up now as best I can!!!   I blog here because it helps me sort out my head and appreciate what I’m doing.  But I could never adequately put in to words the thrills of witnessing other landscapes, seascapes, home styles, cathedrals, basilicas, churches, temples, celebrations, fashions and foods!