WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE, BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US. – ANONYMOUS
There’s a realization recently that my time in Europe may come to an end this year. I’ve been living overseas for 10 years, 8 ½ in England, 1 in France, and ½ in Spain. And the inevitable finality of it makes me realize there are things I want to do before I leave.
Immediate bucket lists came in my head:
-A trip to Zurich so I can squeeze in Lichtenstein
-An all out trip to the UAE (and touchdown on 8 territories)
-Flying to Athens so I can pilgrimage to where the Oracle of Delphi was, and hit up two other territories of Cyprus I haven’t been to.
-Go to Northern Ireland and then explore Jersey
-What about Tunisia and Corsica?
As an aspiring future member of the Travel Century Club, I want to hit up as many countries as possible. But there is a realization that all may not be feasible, at least with the remaining moments to have. I still have friends visiting and a trip planned in several weeks to Italy to explore Lampedusa and San Marino.
Breathe Tricia.
It’s okay to still have places you want to go or return to in the European vicinity. You don’t have to do it all now. I can always come back. It’s okay if I don’t see everything right now. Perhaps it’s best to leave when you still desire more.
Years ago I had a conversation with a fellow psychologist from Ireland at an Adlerian conference in Malta. At the time, I was in my 20s, she was a decade older than me. She offered me this advice, “These countries will always be here. My goal is to travel to one country each year. If I live until my 80s, that’s still 50 countries.” This older and wiser woman told me this as I was backpacking Europe, and had visited 15 countries in one summer. It was overwhelming, but exhilarating.
At times like this, when I feel my time in scarce, I need to remind myself that one’s life can be abundant. I have time. Why rush when I can luxuriate in the time that remains?
I am unclear of the exact amount of time I have left. If I can only do Zurich, it’s not just to check off Lichtenstein. But with research, I have found that closeby I can visit the home of psychoanalyst Carl Jung. I can pilgrimage to another Black Madonna that is one hour from Zurich, that Jung had written about. I could have a leisurely lunch in Lucerne.
I will make most of the time in Europe and will live experiences versus simply checking boxes off a list. I hope wherever you are reading this, you can experience some time affluence with your summer.
It Only Takes A Smile 