Euorpean Cruise Countdown: 13 days Chill

I cannot believe that we’re leaving in less than two weeks. The Beijing Olympics was a great diversion (watched the opening ceremony three times: American, British and Hong Kong version) and time just flew by. I admit to a bit of unreality these past few weeks. No matter how much I researched and planned, the cruise seemed like no more closer or real. Just a beautiful concept spun from puppies’ breath and butterfly kisses, which made me really nervous.

My attitude toward the trip has fluctuated wildly from hyperactive excitement to anxiety to now what I hope is calm anticipation. In the first few days, we booked everything so I was super excited and rushed to do this, do that. And then came the waiting game. The more time I had, the more my anxiety mushroomed with doubts. What if we missed our connection in Paris, missing our transfer, ohmigod missing the sailaway? What if we lost our luggage? We should have booked more time before and after, we should have picked another cruise, another flight, another time of year etc. I couldn’t stop second guessing our plans and imagining the worst scenarios. Angie berated me yesterday for being so nervous and said it was uncharacteristic of the girl she knew.

When I was 22, I went to Tokyo, Japan all by myself. I didn’t speak one word of Japanese, I didn’t know anybody there, I didn’t plan and I didn’t think or worry. I just bought a ticket and flew. Looking back, that was pretty dumb. Yet, I have to admire my younger self. No pre-planning had its pitfalls. I ended up stuck at the Narita airport because my flight was delayed and I missed my transfer. I missed a lot of attractions like Akihabara and Mt. Fuji. But, I rode the trains everyday. I bought the sweetest strawberries at a neighborhood grocery, walked the small roads of a Tokyo suburb in a light snow, and spent Christmas Eve wandering Roppongi Hills with some new friends I still share my life with today. I got lost, I lost my camera, spent LOTS of money, and still everything was alright.

So, deep breath, I will have to find that me of a few years ago. I’m not going to pack every top in my closet in case the weather turns. I’m not going to speed dial Princess. I am not going constantly recheck Air France, Delta and KLM websites. I am not going to write my will.

I will chill…..or try to.