Trip Planing

"Plans are nothing; Planing is everything" - Dwight Eisenhower

"Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning" - Winston Churchill

"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way" - Henry David Thoreau

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning" - Gloria Steinem

Planning travel is so tiring! I really should be used to it by now but a las I am not. I really don't know how these travel companies do it. Here I sit with a list of places I'd like to visit, comparing and contrasting airlines, hotels versus self catering, car rental and all of that versus time of the year. There is a lot to think about when your planning a trip. 

Here are the things I focus on first.

1. Where do I want to go?

2. When is shoulder season? It's a huge mistake to travel during peak season. Your wallet will thank this tip. The only thing you'll miss is crowds. 

3. Which airline is the best for family flying and cheap?

4. Which airline do I know won't hassle me about my baggage? We only ever Carry On. I'm against checking. You never need that much stuff to check a bag. And that is even with a baby.

5. Timing versus leave? Always very important to minimize the amount of leave. 

6. Accommodation - hotel/b&b/self catering/hostel/etc? Which is good for where and with a baby? This is usually the easy part. 

7. Trip schedule - where to go? what to do to maximize the time and sites? We hardly stay in one place for more that 2 to 3 days. Before the baby it was 1 to 2 days.

8. Must see's? - check with all people attending. Don't want to miss anything.

9. Trip Budget - 

So your probably thinking Trip Budget?!?! That should be number 1. Don't worry! I think about the funds constantly. Everything is scrutinized. And especially now that we are dealing with cuts.  It's time to figure out what's important. Is it more important to sit around our house all day every weekend while we are living in England for only a certain amount of time?  Or should we do what we came here to do and see the EU? Just like planning a wedding (or anything really) we decide what can be cut that will be of little importance to us.

This is how I cut back on our trip expenses without cutting the trips altogether....

a. take into account all transportation - flight, car, parking, etc. - which is cheapest?

b. hostels are awesome! Even babies like them!

c. sites are expensive - pick the must see's and really see them! Don't skip anything!

d. eat locally! markets are all over and yes you can get a loaf of bread, some cheese and make a sandwich while your site seeing.

e. no alcohol! Why do you want to get drunk in a foreign country? Especially if you don't speak the language. Stick to 1 or 2 drinks. Anything more could get into a misunderstanding very easily.  *unless your in Belgium. They have separate rules. 

f. no tipping - hardly any tipping in the EU anyway. Love that!

g. research everything! Your not the first to do anything! Someone else has already done it so look it up, ask questions and don't be disappointed! 

h. souvenirs? We very rarely buy anything. Pictures are our souvenirs. Plus, we can't allow the extra space in our luggage. But really if there is something local to the region that we can't live without we will get it. But it's always cheap. A tile of a Madonna and child from Italy, beer stein from Germany, but pictures are our main take away.

Enough of blogging... back to the travel planning I go.... 

Fuertaventura - The windy Island

It's Winter time in England and completely miserable. Cold, dreary, dark and damp... This is why people get the SADD. So this year we found a cheap trip south! To the Canary Islands.

So here's some facts:
The Canary Islands are off the coast of Northern Africa
The sand is like the sand in the dessert of Northern Africa
They are in line with Florida/Georgia in the US
Fuertaventura is pronounced: Foourta Ventura
The Canary Islands are owned by Spain
On Fuertaventura the British go North and the Germans go South

So we found this amazing cheap all inclusive deal for 2 adults and 1 baby. 4 hour plane ride with a super curious 15 month old. A little challenging but nothing we couldn't handle. Plus, perfect opportunity to teach Plane in Sign language. (side note: Sophie already knew the sign due to Mike's place of employment - genius!)

lava rock headed into the ocean

Right off the plane, we headed to the rental car place. Picked up our car and off we went, SOUTH! As you drive along it's dessert! And not just dessert like in Vegas or Arizona.  It's like Sahara dessert sand. Beautiful and still! And as you keep driving Mountains peak up into the sky and the valleys become long with old lava rock. Volcano's! the whole island is a cluster of volcano's. A beautiful warm cluster of volcanic Islands perfect for winter time. And perfect for some sun and fun!

at the hotel

beach

After arriving at our hotel we decided to take a drive around to check it out. The Island is literally a 2 hour drive to see everything. But the roads are a little tricky. Several cliffs and ditches along the road cause scary driving conditions. But the Island is beautiful and bare! And this is the reason it's the windy Island. Low brush, sand and rock. No real trees to block the wind.  But the island is so simple yet so complex. Lagoon's created in the lava rock from ages past with little swimming life generated. And truly these were blue lagoons. Wide open landscape with sand, mountains, rock and water. What more could you ask for?

unsure of sand

discovery of seashell treasure!

liking sand

This was also Sophie's first opportunity to feel sand between her toes. She loves walking in grass and other fun/gross things. I thought for sure she would love it. However, we are in the 15 month old Unsure of everything phase. And her new favorite words are No, No, No. So we gave it a try and at first she didn't like it. But after a day and a couple sea shell treasures, she finally loved it. There is something truly amazing as a child's first encounter with a new texture. Have you ever taken the time to just feel sand between your fingers? I love that she helps me slow down and re-live these small simple pleasures.

Our mini 4 day vacation was amazing and relaxing. The mainly German speaking resort that we stayed at was wonderful.  And it makes me appreciate the other ways human communicate to each other besides language. Having a baby in a foreign country is an open opportunity for people to talk to you. Everyone loves babies! And when you don't speak the same language, some how... when your talking about babies... the message always seems to get across.  It's a universal body language, a universal connection that all humans have. To care for each other and to help one another. And I love being a part of this living breathing Rock.
I can't wait for our next trip!

PS - I was able to sneak in a yoga class. =)

Car Accident

Usually I take a different route, usually Sophie is in the car.  But today was different. Today I had my 1st car accident in the UK. Here are the facts...

Who: just me

When: 7am today

Where: On the way out of Ely headed to the base

Who's fault: not mine

My first car accident was right after I got my drivers license when I was 17. I will never forget it. I was working at the Flower shop on Easter and on my way home I was stopped at a red light. I dropped something and went to pick it up and slowly rolled into the car in front of me. I was devastated! Luckily, I've never been in a serious car accident. But the few that I have been in has always taken my breath away.

So today, driving along and bam (insert slow motion) hit in the side. I was on the way to the base to do my volunteer shift and usually Sophie would be with me. But, luckily Mike has night work this week so he was home with her. And I usually don't take this route. Le sigh... Everyone was fine but shaken up a bit. The girl that hit me was obviously on the way to work and both of us were just shaken.

The hardest part is that we're in a foreign country. I know what to do when in an accident in the US but what do you do in the UK? And the whole not knowing what to do is the hardest part.  So I called the Police. And they said if no one is injured then call a recovery service for the cars. So we have spent hundreds of £'s on AA (yes AA not AAA) and I call them and they can't help.  So Mike to the rescue (as always) to take pictures and drive the poor Panda home.  It's that stiff upper lip, get on with it British attitude. Even the gal who hit me after the shock subsided just got on with it. And.... well.... I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. For me, I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so tired and have a headache.

All in all.... it was one heck of an ending to January. I'm glad this month is finally on the way out.  And as for my poor Panda... she will be sleeping in a garage for awhile. 

New Year, New You! A yogic perspective...

Every new years is the same thing... resolution time. 

What will I do differently? What do I want to change about myself? 

 A couple years ago I decided to Hell with resolutions. I'm not even going to think about it. But for some reason it's so engrained in my psyche that I can't escape thinking about how I would like to be different.  We all have things that we would like to improve on but for some unknown reason I always stray to the negative. I frankly want to change myself! reinvent myself! be different! be a combination of all the best qualities of the people I have met. I want to be kind and patient and knowledgeable.  I want to flow through my practice with ease and most of all...  I want to feel comfortable in my own skin.  In my head this is perfection.... and

I want to be perfect!

But darn it, I'm human.  And I know deep down that I am already perfect. There is a light that glows inside of me and I've seen bits and pieces of the flicker during moments of clarity. But darn it, I'm human! And sometimes I forget about the light burns inside me.

So for this year, as I was multitasking a baby nap, dog walk and a run: I thought to myself: What should I do in 2013? What is my personal goal?  And immediately this is what I thought....

1. To listen more, talk less - I'm a chatter... and the worst kind of chatter. I like most, like to talk about myself. So this year, I will be talking less and listening more. My soap box is already in the bin!

2. Letting go of fear - I fear a lot of things. I fear those around me leaving me, I fear failure, I fear success and physically I fear headstand. I teach it! I demo it! But I don't do it in my personal practice. I'm afraid! And this year I will let go of fear so that I can live a less fearful life. 

3. I will find some kind of Balance - In my life and in my practice. There will be hard times and easy times but I will be working on keeping the scales of balance even.

4. I will love myself! - Because this is who I am. My personal stories have helped mould me into the person I have become. And darn it! I'm human but I'm perfect just the way I am.

So rather than thinking you need to shed some weight or you need to make an extra million. Why not accept yourself for who you really are. Honor yourself because after all there is a light that shines in you. I've seen it! It's beautiful! 

Seeking Santa

Who does a 2 day road trip to Germany from England?!?! We do! That's who!  All our British friends thought we were nuts but we are from a driving culture and since we have little time to spare we managed to do a quick 2 day drive through England, France, Belgium and into Germany for their world class Christmas markets.

Cologne or Koln

Anyway, we wanted to go see what all the hub bub was about. Everyone here talks about these markets.  And after going, I would HIGHLY!!! recommend them. The drive was 4 hours once in France. The same distance from Maryland to NYC. We hardly bought anything apart from amazing German food.  So we will need to go back next year to purchase some German souvenirs. But the food is really great!

Back in 2009 when we went to Germany on our Honeymoon trip we discovered that German food was unique to the region and very very tasty. For some reason when your there German sausage and sauerkraut is so much better. Pretzels are fresh, cookies and candy are made in front of your eyes. And let's not even get started on the delicious beverage options. Mulled wine, Jaeger in the streets, beer and the whole nine yards!

Champions aka Mushrooms

Aachen

We ended up going to 2 market towns.  Cologne, voted #1 Christmas market, and Aachen. Both were great and after getting our fill of the markets we headed back into Belgium and stayed in a small hilly village.  I would say that Belgium is by far my favorite country so far. We've been there a hand full of times and every time is a wonderful experience. They speak a mix of French and Flemish making it a very diverse place.

Gent

This go around we stopped in Gent and Brugge on the way back to the train. Our first time in Gent and it didn't disappoint. Very beautiful city and lots of history. After lunch in Gent we headed to my favorite, Brugge. We've been to Brugge so many times that I feel like I know the city in and out. We made our way to our favorite beer stop and picked up a good selection for the holidays.

Back on the train and a quick 35 minutes under the sea and we were back in England! No official Saint Nick spotting but we did it! Done and done and now we know that it's possible to do quick European weekend travel with a 1 year old. The possibilities always seem so endless.

Food - as a yoga practice...

I eat! 

I eat what I like cause I do what I want!

Usually, I don't make the best choices. I just eat when I'm hungry. And to be frank, I'm surprised I don't weigh 300lbs, because I love to eat sugar! So when one of my yoga instructors (and boss) mentioned that November is Vegan awareness month, I naturally cringed. And I immediately thought....

"oh, no! That's also when Thanksgiving is."

See I've been down this road before... My family didn't have a particularly good relationship with food. We were that typical 80's American family born from the 50's lifestyle. Parents grew up with processed meals cause both parents worked and we grew up with making things from a box and making them fast! Not that there is anything wrong with that but now we know that it's not the healthiest way to eat. Many in my family battle with obesity and depression and food is an easy outlet for both of those. So frequently I would just eat and not even know or care what I was eating. And sure enough half the time I didn't even taste my food.

My first look into food came in college. Luckily, my American Studies degree helped to explain why American's eat the way they eat and what the future was to look like and the options that we had. I really appreciated our food course. It made me think! And thinking is always a good thing. I vowed to always try to shop organic as much as I could even through the rest of my poor college career. But still I ate and never really knew what I was eating.

Then I became a yoga instructor and we again came to the Food Subject. A lot of yogi's are vegans or vegetarians. There are lots and lots of reasons to go "Veggie" from a yoga perspective but for me it always came back to "I don't like being told what to do, especially about something so simple that I've been doing for so long." I would love to be present while I eating but really I'm just too busy. So I completed my yoga training and began teaching and was convinced that I didn't need to be veggie to become a good teacher or to be enlightened.

Without knowing it my sister and brother dabbled in the veggie lifestyle. And then I got to thinking. As a yogi, I have trained myself into controlling little bits of my mind. My practice was purely asana based (postures) and then when my daughter was born my life went into a tail spin. Mainly due to the fact that time was no longer on my side. I had no time to practice my postures. I couldn't get it together. And forget about making it to a class. 2 hours of my life was needed at home with this little human rather than on the mat at a studio.

Then my boss issued this challenge, 7 days, vegan lifestyle. I thought to myself, no way am I being told what to do.  Then he explained that it's the bridge to bring your practice home. Immediately, I was intrigued. Why had I never thought of this? Have people been telling me this all along and I just wasn't open enough to hear it? It's a way to control eating and therefore bringing my yoga practice home.  I was shocked at this revelation. So easy, so simple.  So I signed on and started the challenge.

Turns out that being vegan is easy and hard all at the same time. Just about everything has dairy or eggs in it. But it forced me to finally (after 30 years) understand what was going into my body. I kept my mouth closed the first day until I could find something that was totally vegan. Took about half the day, but I was determined. I cooked for the first time since before my daughter was born! (let's face it, I didn't cook before she was born either.) But here I was trying it out and doing a good job. My husband was eating the soup I made and he said that it tasted really good. And there was no animal products in it at all. It was a total win for me.

Throughout this roller coaster of food education I've learned a lot.  Being vegan isn't only about helping animals but it's also about helping yourself. And the word, Vegan, is no longer scary. In the end, I was only able to be vegan for 5 days and vegetarian for the last 2 days.  After the 7th day I felt really strange going back to eating my "regular" way. But the seed has been planted and now I can blossom into my fullest potential. 

And on top of that... I volunteer...

In a former life I was passionate about Events. All kinds of events! Weddings, Birthday's, meetings, conferences, you name it... I liked planning it. When I was laid off in 2009 I decided I would never go back to the life that I had as an event planner. I was so stressed out. I grinded my teeth, I didn't sleep much, I worked all kinds of hours, I drank more, I ate badly and all in all I was a pretty cut throat mean person to those who loved me. I came to yoga and totally relaxed into a new lifestyle but the passion was still there. I found myself planning my sister's 30th birthday, SPCA fundraisers, holiday parties, weddings and our very own going away party.  I even acquired an award for event planning while I was laid off. Weird! I know...

Now 3 years and 1 baby later I have come back to events. I know I will never get away from them so with open arms I move forward into this dharma. (Dharma means life work!)

So what does an overseas lady do with events?!? Well she volunteers in the Protocol Office at the base, that's what! I've been in the office for a couple months and I've already learned so much. "Protocol is the set of rules prescribing good manners in official life and in ceremonies involving governments and nations and their representatives "  Following good protocol will help eliminate embarrassing situations. Example: The US constitution says that the US Flag will always "Fly Free".  Therefore, the US flag can not be pinned or affixed to anything to hinder it to fly free. What if you went to a different country and the flag was taped down?!? You would probably be pretty offended. Well, other countries have these rules as well. And protocol helps people know what the do's and don'ts are so people don't get offended. Offence causes misunderstanding and misunderstandings can start wars.

So off I go to learn as much as I can and hopefully give the base a little of myself in return.