Lately, my life has been full to the brim with ‘Insanity’ workouts, trials and turmoil on the work front, and creative cooking on a budget.  On top of that, John is gearing up for some business trips, so we spent three full mornings at the Philadelphia passport office.  I’m sure there are more fun things to do, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head.  (Ha ha!).

Who would have thought a few pages bound together with the United States seal could take so much time to procure?  I have to admit that I’ve never had to go through the process of a first time applicant, as I’ve had a passport since I was about three months old.  Mailing in a certified envelope is vastly superior to standing in line in a poorly ventilated room for over an hour just to have someone behind a window confirm that you were indeed able to follow directions, and you do have with you a completed application, proof of citizenship and a driver’s license (which they checked before they would even let you get in line).  After which, you are given a number (like at a deli counter) and directed to a waiting area next to the interminably long line you’ve just escaped from.

But… dum da da dum …. now John has his first passport, and the whole world just opened up for him ~ to go explore far off places, experience different cultures and societies, or just idle by a white-sanded beach on a tropical island and sip decadent cocktails.

I’ve been very lucky in my life to see some incredible places.  I’ve walked amongst the huge monoliths at Stonehenge, stared up at the indescribably beautiful Sistine Chapel and the chiseled perfection of ‘David.’  I’ve ridden a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, and stared silently (and with some dread) at dozens of alligators, some twenty feet long, waiting patiently to be fed. I’ve been close enough to wild elephants to reach out and touch them, and watched giraffe run through long savanna grass as the sun set.  I’ve walked through the rooms of Anne Frank’s hideaway house in Amsterdam, and ridden a bicycle along the canals.  I’ve driven a Vespa in Rome, taken a gondola ride in Venice after standing awestruck in St. Mark’s Square, and looked out across the expanse of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  I’ve seen Hugh Jackman as ‘Curly’ in Oklahoma in the West End.  I’ve seen Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria on Broadway. When I start to think about all the things I have had the great fortune to do, I’m a little in awe.

As I’ve said before, there’s no place like home (and HOW beautiful does our back garden look right now?) BUT there’s also nothing like coming home after an amazing adventure.

I’m looking forward to journeying to new and fun places with John by my side.  I’ve done most of my traveling alone, or with family (my mother is from the U.K., so I have a lot of family spread out all over the place, including England, Scotland, France and Italy) and it will be amazing to share all those fun places with someone I utterly adore.

I try to remember that I’ve been lucky enough to do some incredible stuff, and that a lot of people will never travel to Africa, or even Paris.  I’m focusing on that, because right now, I feel like all the adventure is knocking on John’s door, and I’m the one staying home.  My passport needs to be renewed as well ~ and I didn’t realize how trapped I felt about it until John’s shiny new book was handed over to him by the (surprisingly) friendly clerk Tuesday morning.  I felt suddenly claustrophobic.  Very odd.

Travelling is like the best and worst of everything rolled up all together, shaken around, and then held close to your heart.  It’s architecture, and nightlife, and indulgent food and drinks, and souvenirs, and airplanes, and waiting lounges, and dehydration, and inevitable delays.  It’s lost luggage and new clothing.  I think it breaths life into your soul ~ and I’m aching to travel again.  (Clearly!)

So my application is all filled out, and my passport pics are taken ~ so Costa Rica, here I come! (I don’t know when, but I’m hoping it’s soon!)