I’m going to Chicago tomorrow for the American Library Association Conference and it reminds me of all the other times I’ve taken off before, especially while traveling without my family. Going off by myself to Vermont when I was in college seemed the height of coolness. I loved eating in restaurants alone, planning my days and not having to answer to anyone. I’m not so sure how I’d feel about that now.
Luckily for me, I’m going with a good friend tomorrow, there’s lots already planned and it should be a lot of fun. Still, that particular mix of anxiety and excitement threatens to turn my stomach around.
Doing anything different can make life seem fresh and full of possibilies, well-worth the trouble of not being able to find a toothbrush or losing your way a time or two. Experiencing a new place and, in this case, seeing some of my favorite writers, will be worth the exhaustion of figuring out all the stuff that usually comes second nature.
Whether you may be traveling by yourself for a first time, hitting the road as a regular event, going it alone, with your family or a friend or just staying home, I wish you a summer full of adventure and insight. If you can’t travel in actuality, travel metaphorically, delving into a good book, checking out an exotic web site or two or watching a movie set somewhere you’ve never been. I’d recommend “Up” which is all about travel and new perspectives, but ends up with coming home.
Tina – Beechview
Filed under: CLP - Beechview
