Ah, To Be Able to Go

I was talking several days ago with a friend about traveling. Since March of 2020 and this blasted pandemic, traveling (for pleasure) has pretty much ceased to be. I had a trip planned to Cayman that April, that was cancelled. Looking back on it, had I been able to go, I do not think I would have returned for a long while.

Many of you who know me are aware of my wanderlust and love of traveling. As a psychological fall back, I have always known, if all else fails, I could drop everything and catch a plane to some other place. I always said Aruba. However, for the first time in my life, this pandemic has prevented that vicarious escape. I never thought I would live to see the day when it was not safe to to go ANYWHERE. But, alas for these past 18 months this has been our new norm. 

In total confession, I have taken several plane trips during this time, but they were all stateside. I long for trips to far away places with strange sounding names. Hard to believe, but my last international trip was to Brazil and Argentina 2 years ago. 

As with everyone, I have that list of things I would do with my winnings from the lottery. Top of that list would be a share of Net Jet (ie a fractional jet ownership). With one phone call, I could book a flight anywhere I wanted to go on my schedule. Forego the lines, the screaming children, the inconsiderate fellow passengers talking loudly on their mobile phones. Ah, that would be the life. 

Most folks have a "Bucket List" of things they wish to do before their time comes. Mine is more of a detailed list of destinations. The place I most wanted to visit was Cuba, and thanks to a birthday gift from my oldest daughter, I traveled there. For the record, I would love to go back. It was everything I thought it would be and more. However, there is still much more of the island I wish to see. And, I hope to return before it is developed into a Disney World and Club Med and ruined.

Top of my list is India, followed by Morocco. Rounding out the list is Nepal, Bali, Chili, the Canary Islands, Dubai, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Micronesia, Nauru, Vancouver, Toronto, Banff, Cayman Brac, and Portugal (in no particular order.) Also, I would love to go back to the Cote D'azure, Argentina, London, and a few other places in Europe. (I can always dream!)

However, for now my passport sits on my dresser. There is also the issue of time and money, both I will need a lot of - but those are just details.