Our European Adventure continues..

On September 24, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, expat, Travel, vacation, walkingLeave a comment

So, I’ll try not to gush too much but OMG do I LOVE EUROPE! I love the history and architecture, the lack of tacky skyscrapers and shiny malls, the friendly folk who love football (soccer to you Americans) and laidback lifestyle. Yes, the coffee shops don’t open until 8 a.m. but since they don’t appear to go to work until 9-10 a.m., that works. Three hour dinner-sure! Keep on drinking and eating with your buddies-no rushing home to get some zzzz’s and be at work by 8 a.m. At our hotel today, around 3 p.m. a hotel employee was seen taking two huge bottles of icy vodka into a meeting room for a group-think it was a bank. Now that’s how you should conduct business! Think up an idea-take a shot to celebrate!

Luxurious elegance in lobby at Hotel Des Indes

We have received such wonderful service to the point where we have to wrestle our bags away from well-meaning hotel staff who want to assist us. We are very self-sufficient and used to wheeling around our own stuff, thank you. Get us museum tickets? Get us football tickets? Change out our cash to Euros? SURE! Our slightly ditzy hotel staff member was changing out some cash for us and doubled what she should have given us. Realizing her error, I handed her back $100 Euros and hopefully she will tell others, giving US tourists a good name for their honesty. Good karma, baby!

Speaking of good karma, how about that Pope flying around DC in that modest Fiat? Love that he is eating with the homeless instead of all those corrupt bickering politicians. You go Father! CNN International is covering all Pope all the time over here. While there are a few shows in English, the street signs here are all in Dutch-even China was easier to get around with signs everywhere that we could read. So far, we just guess and ask for help and everyone is quick to assist. Most people do also speak English which makes it easy to get around. BTW, always carry .50 euro coins with you as the public bathrooms all have attendants collecting money for use. At least they aren’t squats like China-hallelujah!

antique and book market in front of Hotel Des Indes

Today, we finished up our time in The Hague, a truly lovely city which Rick Steves doesn’t even recommend visiting. Rick, come on, don’t be a Hague-hater! I disagree with Steves-lots to enjoy there with the beach nearby and the Peace Palace and museums galore. We loved walking out of the Hotel Des Indes and seeing an antique/book market going on in the square. If only I had a huge container to utilize to send back furniture and paintings!!! I settled for a jazz CD and some antique postcards–my luggage is stuffed as it is. Then it was off to the Mauritshuis Museum to see the Vermeers, Rembrandts and Reubens in a beautiful mansion built in the 1600’s on a pond. So gorgeous and small enough not to overwhelm the senses.

Then, it was off to the train to zip back to Amsterdam for another stay at the Andaz-the best hotel chain around. If you haven’t stayed in one, treat yourself. We were lucky enough to stay for two months at the one in Shanghai as my temporary housing and they are in many cities now. The one in NYC is right by the library. They are small, well designed with unique rooms and the service is the best I have ever experienced. TOTALLY! With free mini-bar in room, free bikes to use (if my shoulder wasn’t hurting so bad), lavish breakfast included and free happy hour, it can’t be beat for amenities. Cheers! Tonight, we’re off to the Red Light District and a jazz club!

utter elegance at musem — utter elegance at museum

Bruges-Medieval Mall

On September 24, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, expat, Food, Travel, vacationLeave a comment

Bruges was always on our “must” destination list if we visited Europe. So, at 6 a.m. yesterday after one hour of sleep (due to insomnia not partying), off we went on a four hour train ride from The Hague to Bruges. Expecting to see a small medieval city with the iconic Bell Tower featured in the movie, In Bruges, we were shocked to turn the corner of the winding brick road into the city and find a commercial boulevard with a Zara, McDonald’s, Claire’s and all the modern stores found in the local mall. REALLY?

Bruges-cobblestone streets, canals, churches, waffles & beer

Now, I’m all for retail stores, which have been my livelihood for years but there is a time and place and Bruges is not where you want to shop for $19.99 fashion at H & M. I guess you can’t blame the locals who want to profit from all the tourism so they can make a living and there can only be so many chocolate, lace, waffle and beer shops to feed our appetites and tacky souvenir needs but still…WTF! I don’t think the best use of a 1767 historic building is to house another Zara.

That being said, parts of Bruges were well preserved and, if you get off the main street, you can find quaint history houses from the 9th century as well as 17 churches (16 Catholic/1 Protestant) to wonder through and lovely bridges over canals for picture-taking. The train station is conveniently located within walking distance of this town which used to be on the sea until it retreated. Global warming may one day make it seaside again-you never know.

The highlight for Thom was walking up the 336 steep steps to the Bell Tower featured in the movie, In Bruges. I guess someone is pushed off the top and lands SPLAT in the square below in the film. Not my kind of movie but whatever-it was an interesting climb up teeny, tiny stairs with only a rope in certain places to cling to. Just like the Great Wall, this is not ADA friendly and if you fall and get hurt, good luck getting back down those stairs ’cause no one is helping you down and there isn’t an elevator. Still, the view was stunning from the top!

336 steps and you are at the top! — 336 steps and you are at the top-grab the rope and pull yourself onward and upward!

I talked Thom into a horse-drawn carriage ride around town. While he has never consented to one of these in NYC, he relented and ended up enjoying the guide’s history lesson as we galloped through the narrow streets. You definitely could imagine days past when horses were the only mode of transportation and, when the final bell of the evening sounded from the tower, the gates to the city were closed to protect against marauders.

We were lucky to arrive on market day in the town square. Munching a sugar-coated waffle as my local snack (YUM!), we rested on the town square steps and wished we could take home the lovely pots of lavender offered for sale. Gorgeous! On the train home, we noticed fields of lavender waiting to be picked. Though a long ride with a stop in Brussels to change trains, the 8 hours of train ride were just another part of the Bruges adventure. Arriving home tired and ready to get a good night’s sleep, we were glad we had finally been “In Bruges”.

Thom talking to the swans that roam the canals

The Hague-surprisingly awesome!

On September 22, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Food, Travel, vacationLeave a comment

I gasped when I entered our room at the Hotel Des Indes. So, we’re staying in The Hague primarily due to my desire to utilize all those wonderful hotel points I’ve accrued from my travels. When you use points, sometimes you get an awesome room and sometimes you don’t. Luckily, this was one of those awesome times. With twenty foot ceilings and a canopied bed, the old world furnishings and world class service made us feel like royalty. SCORE!

Open since 1856, this hotel has been “the” place for politician and celebrities like U2, Prince and the Rolling Stones to stay when visiting this capital of the Netherlands which also hosts the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Classy and stylish, the Hotel Des Indes is the bomb!

In our usual style of just wandering, we first hopped on the tram to see the North Sea to enjoy some beach time but on the way back, we jumped off to see the Peace Palace.

WP_20150922_15_40_05_Pro — The Peace Tree filled with words of hope from international tourists.

I’m so glad we did because the story of how it was founded in the early 1900’s with seed money from Andrew Carnegie was fascinating. The Court was in session so we didn’t get to go in the building but we did take the audio tour on the grounds. We even got to join with international tourists and write out our hopes for peace onto the official Peace Tree outside. Very cool moment for our trip!

Looking forward to going to a tapas restaurant tonight after taking a wrong turn last night and missing it. Never fear, we ended up on a rainy night just finding another place that I had read about on TripAdvisor, Garoeda, that had tasty Indonesian cuisine. Feasting on tempura shrimp, chicken satay and rice, we’ll just go tapas tonight instead. After enjoying the sauna room (hot Damn!) and a refreshing dip in the tiny pool which had jets so you could simulate swimming against a strong current (how cool is that??), we are ready to relax and enjoy an evening on the town in The Hague at Oker’s. Tomorrow, we are off on the train for another adventure to…….

Amsterdam First Impression-Bikes & Beer

On September 20, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, expat, Food, hotels, Shopping, Travel, walking1 Comment

Hot Damn-I finally made it to Amsterdam! I have dreamed of this trip for years and I was right-it is gorgeous AND the perfect walking city for us to explore. My Fitbit is loving me with 12,000+ steps in on our first day. Touching down at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, we fumbled our way through buying a tram ticket at the machine, dealing with ALL our credit cards being rejected before I finally got an ATM to spit out some euros with the debit card. Then, we were jumping on the #5 tram with a little help from a local who scolded us that the tram lets people off first, moves down the lane and THEN you are allowed in. Okay-I had to appreciate the orderly fashion that they follow here in public transportation vs. my fond memories of the clusterf*&k of using China mass transit.

First impressions–bikes, German beer, brick streets and bridges over impossibly picturesque canals where the tour boats glide by slowly. The architecture reminds me of SoHo in NYC with no big new ugly buildings ruining the vibe of little boutiques. We noticed quickly that every building has a large hook hanging from the roof, probably we figured out to haul up furniture and such into the apartments. Quirky and charming, our neighborhood is the perfect blend of residential and commercial.

After receiving the best service EVER from Corrodo at the Andaz Amsterdam, we checked our bags and off we went. Learning very quickly that the sidewalks are narrow with random steep stairways to lower levels jutting into your way so you have to watch every step or fall, it seemed a relatively quiet Sunday with primarily (not a helmet in sight) bike riders and some sassy scooters filling the one way streets lining the canals, I can’t imagine the chaos that will ensue tomorrow when everyone jumps on their bikes to go to work. We’ll be dodging and weaving to cross the streets for sure. I figure if I lived through China though, I’ll probably survive here.

We ducked into the local grocery to check it out-to feel the culture is to see how the locals shop. Lots of prepared foods and smaller portions (didn’t see a lot of families living around here) bread, waffles, chocolates and calories galore. YUM! Got a small bottle of wine tucked into my bag for later.

We’re saving the famous red light district for another night. More to come on that experience! I hear it is quite interesting.

For those not familiar with the weed culture like we have in Seattle, there is probably interest to visit the head shops here. I’ve smelled more pot in the hallways of our building than I have here so no big deal for us.

Tomorrow we leave for the Hague and another train trip. Every day is an adventure!

Oh the places we’ll go….

On August 30, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Boise, China, expat, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, vacationLeave a comment

Yesterday, an awesome person I hired four years ago sent me a picture of herself in that happy moment along with some kind words-she has gone on to quite a career since that time. It made my day. That got me all nostalgic and reminiscing about everything Thom and I have experienced since then and how it has shaped who I have become. Fearless I am after all that we have faced from Seattle to Shanghai and back again!

Patti & I hanging on for dear life in the boat in Beijing

After living apart for a year so I could join a great company when the opportunity presented itself, the family finally joined me here with James going off to Seattle U. and us selling the house we designed in Coeur d’Alene where the kids spent the majority of their childhood years. I still miss that hot tub with a view of the mountains and fireplace in the master–we built a great house. Damn!

Great sadness came when my Dad passed over Labor Day and I still miss him so much. I’m happy that Mom is doing so well living in South Bend and still looking good and playing bridge at 90. They live long in my family! Grandma Hannah made it all the way to 99 still living by herself.

Soon after, I had the great privilege of opening my store and introducing the Black Keys and One Republic at my store concerts-what fun that was to dance backstage. Since then, I’ve seen One Republic play in Shanghai and Orlando and they still rock it. Big perk of my job is seeing great talent over the years at many concerts–Lady Gaga, John Legend, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Allen Stone and the list goes on…and on…such talent to enjoy! I have no musical gifts so I appreciate those who are able to entertain us all.

Allen Stone and I hanging out at his private concert for my company. Cool dude!

While we enjoyed Seattle, we embraced our NYC adventure with great enthusiasm. Oh what fun we had while there for the brief six month assignment! Times Square every day for work and LOTS of Broadway plays with weekly trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Christmas in the city took my breath away and the kids came to share it all. I still get to go back occasionally for business and always fill up on the carbs I love so much-$1 bagels and $1 pizza are my guilty pleasures. We still visit the Madison Square Park dog park every time we go to NYC-Izaak spent many happy hours there playing with the other urban pooches. I hope some day to live there again-you never know.

Izaak's favorite place in NYC-Madison Square Dog Park — Izaak’s favorite place in NYC-Madison Square Dog Park

Then, of course, China was the best experience ever. I still stay in touch with my China team and wish I could be there to support them. At times, it seems like a dream that we lived there but I remember the little details so well–our smiling doorman, the fruit lady on the corner, the dancing groups on every corner every evening, our dvd store with the best looking dog in Shanghai hanging out front always. Our jaunts to Vietnam and Hong Kong were so fun and always filled with quirky wonderful moments. My best friend, Patti and her husband got to visit as well as James spending his holidays there. Thom is working on our book that will combine our blog posts and his amazing pictures. Goal is to have ready by end of the year and I encourage (nag!) him daily to finish so we can share with family & friends. We’ll publish on Amazon to help other expats going to China.

Golden retriever that was the house dog at our DVD store in Shanghai

Now, we are back to Seattle as we are meant to be, supporting James while he goes to law school and being in Boise often to see Hannah and Mike and watch our granddaughter, Mia, grow up. As I gaze upon Elliott Bay from our lower Queen Anne home, I am realistic that this is just a temporary stop in our worldwide adventure and that’s okay. I am appreciative and loving it for now. In a few weeks, we will take off to explore Amsterdam. FUN! Our dream one day is to live in 12 different countries in 12 months…don’t know when that will happen but as I look back on the incredible journey the last four years, I know anything is possible if you allow yourself to take risks and I’m all over that! Here’s to the next four years (raising my glass of vino)–may they be filled with great appreciation for all that life can offer. Carpe Diem all!

Pride Parade in Seattle is a Rainbow of Diversity

On June 28, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Seattle, Travel6 Comments

There were rainbows shining brightly today all over Seattle as the Pride Parade attracted 500,000+ spectators celebrating a really totally damn good week for all citizens in the U.S. Well, unless you still fly the Confederate flag. Just take it down already-you lost. BOOM!

I love a rainbow balloon arch-kudos to Nordstrom's who had a huge contingent in the parade! — I love a rainbow balloon arch-kudos to Nordstrom’s who had a huge contingent in the parade!

Dancing on the Cupcake Van to celebrate!

But today, it was all about celebrating diversity and equality with the crowds of all ages waving their flags with spirit and pride. Way to go Supreme Court! Your history-making decision affirmed everyone’s right to be married in every state. WOW. About time and just in time for the celebration today. To say that smiles were on everyone’s face would be an understatement–there was dancing in the streets, on the cars, in the bars, and one naked guy entertaining the crowd with his bagpipes. Crazy and fun to be sure!

Thom and I love the Seattle Storm, our WNBA team here that plays next door to us at Key Arena so we joined their contingent to spread the Storm love to the parade goers. The local women’s soccer team, Seattle Reign FC, also joined our group as we passed out boom sticks to the cheering crowd. As we neared Belltown and the boom supplies dwindled due to Thom making sure every child along the parade route got one, the water guns came out and the team mascot, Doppler, started drenching the delighted crowd on a thankfully cloudy day. “Spray me, spray me!” the crowd yelled and Doppler was glad to oblige.

Doppler and I shared a moment with our boom sticks!

The SeaFair Pirates were working the crowd as well as some amazing dancers wearing headpieces bigger than me. How on earth they were able to walk even a block is beyond me. I was impressed! Whether gliding along on rollerblades or walking the route in stiletto’s, the parade moved along briskly and I got in my 10,000 steps on my FitBit before it ended by the Seattle Center. Our church, First Church Seattle, was handing out cookies at the end of the route to all who had walked and provided communion as well-what’s not to love about a church like this! There was even a rock band cranking up the crowd.

Elaborate headpieces and shoes were the standard uniform.

Every major company in Seattle embraced the Pride and had huge company representation: Nordstrom’s, Boeing, Microsoft, Expedia, Amazon, etc. In front of our Storm crowd, the Café Vita, a local coffee roaster was throwing coffee into the crowd…how Seattle of them. Fresh roasted beans for all! What impressed me the most was the inclusion of all the families in the celebration. How wonderful that these kids will grow up knowing it’s okay to love and marry whomever you want. It’s all good. What a happy day!

Families and LOTS of kids enjoyed the diversity in the parade.

Waterfalls, wild pigs and zipping through the air with the greatest of ease!

On June 20, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Big Island, Family vacation, vacationLeave a comment

Hannah, James and I after ziplining by this gorgeous waterfall

The day ended well but boy did it start out rough. So bad, in fact, that we wondered if God really wanted us to zipline today at all with the obstacles we faced. I never give up, not now and not ever, and so when the cars stopped ahead of us and then started turning around on the two lane highway as we approached the Hilo side of the island for our big adventure, we groaned and followed the guy driving away who told us that there was an accident and the road would be closed for hours. Damn.

As we beat a hasty retreat north back through Waimea where we had just come from, Hannah got on with spotty cell coverage and, never giving up, talked persistently and politely with our tour group manager several times before they magically found a spot for us in a later outing, which we had to madly drive another two hours on the only other road to get to them. This road being one lane in spots with dead wild pigs lying by the side of the road-okay, only one dead pig but it was BIG! Bleak volcanic fields on either side of the lane, that poor pig didn’t make it out alive but we did, dodging wild drivers in our lane who obviously were new to driving and, with one minute to spare, the rest of our group already on the course, we signed away our lives on the liability release forms that none of us had time to read and, after a bumpy gut-wrenching trip over rutted dirt roads through fields of purple sweet potatoes and apple bananas, , we lined up and got ready to practice.

WP_20150619_14_09_19_Pro (2) — James zipped with style and finesse

Our kind guides, Corey and Phillip, instructed us in the proper way to hurl our bodies down through the forest without killing ourselves. Check. Ready. Set. Go. Since this was an “Eco Adventure”, our knowledgeable guides pointed out the local crops of ginger, pineapple, sweet potatoes, taro, and apple bananas, which we thankfully got to eat right off the trees since we didn’t have time to stop for lunch. Who knew that pineapples grew up on little cute bushes???

Waterfalls everywhere-thankfully didn't rain the day we zipped — Waterfalls everywhere-thankfully didn’t rain the day we zipped

The rest of our group hailed from the great State of Texas which became very apparent when the guides were discussing how locals liked to capture the wild pigs, more prevalent than people on the Big Island, and somehow gun control came up. Our Texas clan proceeded to excitedly share with the Hawaiian guides how easy it was to get “same day” guns in Texas at their local WalMart with very little background checks. No kidding. So happy that Thom didn’t come with us (bad back and all) because he would have never been able to hold his tongue and would have proceeded to throw the guy down the line for his remarks, which most would consider a tad insensitive (and just wrong on so many levels) given the innocent people recently killed in Charleston. Looking at my caring kids who were visibly biting their lips to hold back the opinions on gun control they longed to share, we took our turns and off we went to fly over the gorgeously green forests and valleys filled with waterfalls and rivers. Needless to say, we didn’t mingle with our Texas group much. Thank goodness.

Each of the seven lines got progressively longer until the final BIG one, almost 2/3 of a mile, where we went soaring by a huge waterfall too quickly for me to take it all in. What a fantastic way to experience the beautiful back country of Hawaii that most people never get to see. We are truly blessed. Aloha!

Enjoying Family Time on The Big Island

On June 17, 2015June 17, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Big Island, Family vacation, Hawaii, Travel, vacationLeave a comment

Best thing hands down about the Big Island… not the beaches or the palm trees. Nope, though they are nice and all. The very best most wonderful thing about the Big Island is my family being together again. How often do I get to spend a week in paradise with my grown kids who lead very busy lives??? Well, this is a first in the last few years as they pursued their college degrees–both are now college grads, Hallelujah!!!–and Hannah got married to Mike and gave us the magnificent Mia. How time flies by! With Thom and I moving between Seattle, NYC, Shanghai and back to Seattle and the kids’ busy schedules, we have only connected at the holidays, which are hectic and action-packed.

Thom and Mia exploring the great outdoors

This week the biggest decisions are: pool or beach? Pina Colada or Wine? Yep, that’s pretty much it. I had Facebooked that there was no one more in need of a vacation than me. My daughter countered that she was much more deserving than me, because not only did she work all day but then started Mom duty at night capped off with baby Mia doing her business while taking her bath. Okay, she wins. Hands down.

Getting to Hawaii from Boise and Seattle was no mean feat but after James graduated Sunday from Seattle University, we all took off on Monday, starting with Mia running us around the airport with her newly found walking skills. She was a joy on the flight, taking two naps and playing with all the other babies on the flight. After quaffing free Mai Tai’s (adults only)–thanks Alaska for the free booze–we found our new home for the next week in Kona, otherwise known as the sunny side of the Big Island. With water views from every window of the condo and everyone with their own bed/bath, we were ready to start relaxing. A workaholic, A Type for sure, I haven’t disconnected from work on a vacation in years. This week I unpinned my work email tile from my start screen and ignored the need to check in. They’ll manage without me and maybe even appreciate all I do even more with me not doing it. Maybe. In the meantime, I’m enjoying trying very hard NOT to think about work and concentrate on my lovely family and pool time, which Mia enjoys very much. Glad to see she is taking to the water and will probably be a great swimmer like her Mom.

So far we have walked to the snorkeling beach from our place a few times and had a close encounter with sea turtles, which I like from afar but really, really don’t like touching me in the surf. Icky!! They are large and have snapping, sharp teeth which I don’t want to encounter personally. I swear they were attracted to my sassy red toes–note to self, next time go for beige vs. red for the pedi if going to be in an ocean with animals who can chew. Thom said I screamed loud enough to be a tsnumai warning signal, which is probably a useful skill here on an island where those things happen. I think being called a “siren” is a good thing. Right?

Tomorrow we are off to a new beach in Waimea and later this week we will be zip lining down mountains and across waterfalls. That should be a good tale to tell! Aloha!

2 Days, 20,000 steps and 1 Cougar

On May 19, 2015May 19, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Canada, Fashion, Food, Travel, Vancouver, walkingLeave a comment

Holy. Crap. Yep, I just noticed I am totally and utterly alone in a forest in Canada with not a soul in sight and this sign comes into view, like someone quickly attached it to a post and ran away… Wildcat spotted in area. Love the pictures to show you the differences between cougars, bobcats and kitties–duh! If you are that stupid and need a pictorial of the differences between a cougar and a cat, you deserve to get f&*king chewed on like a kibble. Just saying….

See Cougar Sign..See Melinda Run...Fast — See Cougar Sign..See Melinda Run…Fast

Looking around and, again, seeing nothing but trees, trees and more underbrush where that damn cougar could be hiding, I channeled my inner Hunger Games heroine and picked up an insubstantial branch to defend myself with and took off as fast as possible. Deep in the forest by a lake in Burnaby, this was my “peaceful” stroll to get in my 10,000 needed steps to make my new Fitbit animate, aka it rattles on my wrist when I hit my goal. Happy times staying fit and alive. Eventually, I ran out of the forest into suburbia and found my way back to the hotel in one piece, feeling fit to live another day and vowing to stick to the urban jungle from now on instead of the actual jungle. The kicker was that my Fitbit wasn’t working right so it didn’t even record my steps including the long climb back up the hill to home. DAMN! My calves are aching and telling me I hit that 10,000 step goal so we’ll just go with that unofficial count and charge it up for tomorrow.

Lost in the forest and never finding the lake, running away from a possible cougar...that was my peaceful walk — Lost in the forest and never finding the lake, running away from a possible cougar…that was my peaceful walk

I got my Fitbit for Mother’s Day and am enjoying challenging myself to get out and get walking even more than usual. Especially when I’m on the road working, it will get me out of the hotel in the evening and onto the streets. Last night when I got into Vancouver, BC, I immediately took off on the skytrain from Burnaby where I’m staying to downtown Vancouver. Only taking 20 minutes, it beat driving in traffic. After a lengthy wait to get through customs due to Victoria Day traffic, I was done with driving. I wandered through Gastown and enjoyed people watching. Lots of buskers playing their songs and people eating outside enjoying the warm weather. I finally settled in at the Water St. café and enjoyed amazing salmon risotto. Seriously, I almost licked the plate–crazy American that I am.

Salmon risotto rand BC local wine...how Canadian of me — Salmon risotto and BC local wine…how Canadian of me

Washed down with local wine, I was happy, happy to walk back to the skytrain and join the crowds returning home. Arriving back at the hotel with the Fitbit working, it synced and told me I had about 100 steps left to goal. Did I run in place and rack up those last few steps??? Oh yeah-BAM! 2 days and 20,000 steps and feeling good… my Type A personality likes hitting goals and my body likes the workout. Win-Win!

Life on the Road is a Challenge to Enjoy

On May 16, 2015May 16, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, VancouverLeave a comment

In my new jobs, instead of having a grand time taking the bullet train around China with Thom by my side, I’m flying to exciting places like Durham, NC. Not to malign Durham, I just am having a difficult time embracing new places and finding joy in travelling. Just coming off a week in San Antonio and leaving on Monday for a trip to Vancouver, BC, I’m reevaluating whether I enjoy this life of business travel on the road. My peer who doesn’t get to travel said he envied me–seeing new places, racking up frequent flier points, enjoying an expense account eating out, etc. Except that I don’t. Well, eat out at least and most often I don’t see anything other than the office instead of sightseeing in the hour a day I’m not working hard.

My typical food budget is maybe grabbing a free bite at the breakfast buffet at the hotel, a Cliff bar/apple that I pick up at a grocery store when I first arrive and work while I send out my trainees to enjoy lunch and I catch up on my work. Dinner is usually some awful crap from the hotel snack bar because I really don’t enjoy going out to eat by myself. I know I SHOULD research where I’m working and go out every night to a wonderful new “foodie” experience. Damn. I SHOULD seek out the local landmarks and spend at least one hour a day exploring new places. If Thom was with me, no problem. Alone, BIG problem-it’s just not fun by myself.

The River Walk is charming and quite long, making for a nice walk up and down while dodging tourists and drunk convention folk.

I tried this week when I was in San Antonio and, after a really bad day, forced myself to check out the Alamo and River Walk downtown experience. It was cool and I was glad I forced myself out of the hotel on the one night it didn’t rain. People were in boats drinking and having a good old time on the canal.

Selfie at the Alamo, which is right downtown San Antonio by the River Walk

Me not so much but I sat by the water and ate hot food prepared that day which was a nice change from the cold pizza leftover from lunch that was my dinner the previous night. I got some exercise walking vs. sitting in bed watching reality shows so felt much healthier, though I didn’t achieve my 10,000 steps that my new Fitbit wants me to achieve daily.

So, new challenges for me on my work trip to Vancouver–eat hot and healthy food daily, get out and walk my 10,000 steps for my Fitbit to be happy, and find at least one landmark or “hot” restaurant and go at least for one hour. The day will come soon when I stop travelling for work and I’ll probably miss it. So, for now, it’s time to get off my workaholic butt and grab a few moments of personal time during my work travels. Oh, and look forward to those times (mainly Manhattan) when Thom can join me and together we’ll take our usual walkabout adventures. Now, that’s the life!

Beautiful carriages straight out of Cinderella, all lit up at night, are all over downtown San Antonio.

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