Crossing the Channel
" Do you wanna try, sweetheart?" " Try what?" A one-minute travel memory
On the ferry crossing the English Channel, I ask the older gentleman working at the canteen:
“May I take my lunch out onto the outdoor deck?”
“Course ye can, lovey, tyke it out. Ye wanna try, my sweetheart?”
“Excuse me?”
“Ye wanna try?”
“I’m sorry … try what?
“A try, my girl, ” he says, handing me a metal tray.
It was my first European journey, I was alone and I was ready to “try” anything! I wandered in a daze through six different countries. I didn’t know where I was, nor what was happening half the time. And I was captured forever.
Over the span of twenty-five years, I returned to various lands in Europe twenty-two times, only missing 2011 and 2019-20 for obvious reasons.
I realize that a sensible woman would have put her forty-five year’s of hard-earned income away for her retirement, but I chose to spend it all on solo travel. An investment in the Bank of Joy.
Now, of course, I live on a perilously low budget — my wealth lies only in memories and stories. But what a great life I’ve had. I have no regrets.
A little traveling melody from Abby Newton and Alisdair Fraser - cello and fiddle. Click three times
I have a section on 🌿Leaves that is all short Travel Tales. I never offer advice such as where to stay, how to get there, what to eat, or what to see. My micro-stories are vivid descriptions that are meant to immerse you into the middle of things and allow you to see, feel, listen to, and taste what it is like to BE there. And to experience the odd, unexpected and often very funnny situations one must find a way out of … or into.
The journeys are mostly throughout Italy, but also to Paris, Budapest, Scotland, Sardinia, Orkney, Algiers, Luxembourg. Have a quick browse HERE and then pack your bag.
As a homebody with slight agoraphobia, your travelogues are inspiring Sharron!
Cheerio mate. You accentuate words with a voice so clear and have an ear to traipse around the globe. I’ll check your travel logs and know they will float my boat. Get back to you soon after seeing what you wrote.