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.We had to cut things from our list. If there is one thing our travels have taught us, it might well be flexibility. Reality is rarely a straight fulfillment of the vision we have ahead of time. So much so, that we usually don’t schedule everything, but allow time for a place to unfold to us as we explore randomly. We’ve found far more magic there than in our planned moments. But, our current paring of our list is from headache and fever, not a search for serendipity.
Living at home, one’s one room is the favored place to recover from a bit of the “crud.” On the road it’s any comfy corner. Unfortunately, our Hong Kong apartment is one of the smallest we’ve had so far; not the best for catching up. I am sitting on the wood floor with my laptop atop my lap, as Marlie sleeps on the couch. (There is no bed for her, and no kitchen table.)
Although we are all typically pretty healthy, getting sick on the road does happen. GI travel ailments from changes in water and food. Hands grabbing rails in public transport and then itching an eye. Crowded airplanes with recirculated air and a woman across the aisle coughing. It is inevitable, but because our trip is no longer open ended, we can’t just tack on a few more days here to make up for those we lost.
When our renters gave notice they would be moving out, we tightened up our schedule to return home a couple months sooner than we’d imagined. We made a list of those places we still most wanted to see, and lined them up in our path. Tickets are purchased, short term apartments are rented. We also scheduled less time in each place. Less for exploration and school and work or maybe more importantly: down time. Our pace feels more rushed. When we get sick, we have to cut out more. Today, I’m letting everyone sleep in. The extra rest will do us good.
