C Plan: Before this trip began, I knew – being a bit experienced with travel – that I would need to be adaptable. In the world even before covid, flexibility was key to enjoyable travel. Joel coined the term “Plan C” for traveling nowadays. My interpretation of Plan C revolves around planning for Covid, Climate, and Conveyances. This has definitely been a Plan C experience! Covid: Although I did not (as of writing this!) get Covid this trip, Astrid did. This meant flexibility on the part of her cousins and me while in Germany, so Astrid could recover. It also means that she and I must return – together – to Germany! Climate changed Joel’s and my barge&bike trip from exploring the Mosel and Saar rivers to meandering through South Holland and spending a couple of days in Amsterdam. I used many Conveyances this month: trains, planes, automobiles, buses, trams, barge, bikes, feet! Plan C for Conveyances resulted in two major changes: a different barge&bike trip; and a train strike in Amsterdam, necessitating a very long bus travel day.
Components: This trip had three components: Germany with Astrid and her cousins, the Netherlands with Joel, and solo travel in Luxembourg and Belgian. All three components exceeded my expectations, even with the necessary Plan C adjustments. As previously mentioned, although I missed having Astrid show me Germany, her cousins Jutta and Barbara did an amazing job sharing their country with me and allowing me to see Germany through their eyes. Cycling, on my e-bike, in the Dutch countryside, along canals, and on dikes with Joel coupled with the luxury of barge cruising make me excited for another boat and bike trip. Solo traveling – or “squirrel traveling” as I call it – presents unique challenges and opportunities. I enjoyed this component of my trip, especially the squirrels that delighted me – meeting and hanging out with interesting people.
Christine and Daniel: For the first two components of this month-long European adventure, I didn’t have to make any lodging decisions entirely on my own. For the third component, it was all on me. In Luxembourg, I stayed at a hotel…which seemed more like a dorm room. In Brussels, my AirBnB was comfortable yet on the third and fourth floors of an 1800s building without air conditioning – meaning it was HOT at night. Also, it was very noisy since I was in the city center with bars and restaurants right under my open windows. The owner was nice, but I met her only once. In Bruges, however, I stayed at Christine and Daniel’s B&B Stoega, my favorite lodging! As I mentioned in earlier posts, Christine and Daniel are phenomenal PEOPLE, not just great hosts. I know opening their home to guests is a type of business, and it felt more like staying with friends than being a paying customer. They are warm, helpful, kind, intelligent, talented… I could go on and on! I repeat what I’ve said before: WHEN you’re in Bruges, I STRONGLY suggest you stay with Christine and Daniel at B&B Stoega. I look forward to keeping in touch with them and, hopefully, seeing them in California soon.
Conversations: This is why I travel!!! Yes, I love seeing new places, architecture, sculptures, gardens, museums, etc. Even more, though, I love talking to PEOPLE. I had so many engaging and enlightening conversations this trip. Jutta and Barbara, along with their husbands Hans-Juergen and Hermann Josef, helped me better understand Germany – not only the history of the Holocaust and the division of Germany and Berlin into East and West but also the modern country. My table companions on the barge were fun, kind, and interesting. In Bruges, I had a fabulous time sharing meals, sites, and conversations with Janet and Geerte – and, of course, I loved chatting with Daniel and Christine! I had a surprisingly fun time in Brussels hanging out with Steve and his pied piper group of travelers. Steve, a 41-year old married Australian man with three children, gathers people together whenever he travels. With his wife and kids in Germany visiting her family, he was solo in Brussels and joined my free walking tour. When the tour ended, he said whoever wants to get a beer and fries, follow him. About a dozen of us did – and revelry and chats ensued. Steve said he does this whenever he travels – he gathers people from tours, hostels, etc. – and creates an opportunity for everyone to socialize and talk. He said he feels this is what travel is really about: talking to a range of people. I completely agree!
Crowds vs. Value of Tourism: Okay, I get it. For many countries or communities, tourism adds significantly to their economies. Hey, I’m from San Luis Obispo where tourism helps our coffers. The challenge, though, is balancing the benefits of tourism with an overabundance of tourists. Especially following the lockdowns necessitated by the pandemic, I understand the urge to travel – the travel bug bites me, too! Nonetheless, I don’t enjoy crowds. For example in Bruges, where I stayed for four days, the first couple of days had minimal crowds. Then, the weekend arrived and, along with it, throngs of people often from cruise ships. Good thing I enjoy long walks in the country to small villages because that’s exactly what I did to remove myself from the hordes of tourists.
Cobblestones: I know cobblestones add ambience and help a city seem quaint. I love how they look and how they make me feel when wandering streets and alleys. However, walking on uneven stones or pulling a rolling suitcase going bumpity-bump can be a bit cumbersome and annoying. For some people who have turned an ankle (not me!) while walking on cobblestone, they can even be dangerous.
Cornering: Using a thesaurus, I tried to find a “C” word as a synonym for “aging.” Since I couldn’t find one, I’m using the word “cornering” instead. I feel like I’m turning the corner from young vibrant traveler to a bit older traveler. I like some of the comforts my age and privilege provide, such as barge travel and not counting every penny. (I remember my year in Israel… I had a journal and, in the back, kept track down of every cent I spent!) I also am, I would say, 5% slower than I was in 2019 BC (Before Covid). It takes me a bit longer to figure things out, to get moving, to find my groove. By my calculations, 5% per year would mean in 20 years, when I’m 82, I’ll have completely slowed down. I guess that’s okay!
Coin Purse: I’m sure it could have happened to me earlier before I “cornered” a bit as a traveler, but losing my focus causing me to forget my coin purse annoyed me. I could say it bummed me out, but although I’m not happy about the mishap, I’m not devastated. I hid my passport and extra credit cards in my luggage, so they weren’t lost. I wish I would have done the same with my cash… I use it so seldom… I should have kept, say, €50 in my purse and hid the remaining €100. Expensive lesson learned.
Conflicting Emotions: Whenever a trip ends, I have conflicting emotions. This trip is no different. I’m a bit tired and ready to be home. The stress of traveling, especially as I “corner,” tires me. I miss my family and friends. What will I do first? Hug Emmett, of course! I may even shower before I see him. 🤣 I love my home and my life at home. I look forward to relaxing in my own house, sleeping in my own bed, and spending time with my San Luis Obispo friends. Nonetheless, I love traveling! I love seeing new sites, exploring new locales, talking to new people! Another trip is on the horizon…after I recuperate from this one!
Germany
Holland Barge & Bike
Amsterdam
Luxembourg
Bruges
Ghent
Brussels
