Saturday, May 17 (Marrakech) - I made a realization this morning as I waited for my next-door neighbor and good friend Lainie to arrive in Marrakech: without realizing it, my 100 days of travel are broken up pretty evenly into three phases, and I have just finished the first one.
Phase One: Independent Travel (& lots of selfies!)
The first month of my trip was a whirlwind of going from place to place almost completely on my own (spent a weekend in London where I got to stay with Marta!). It was a true test of my ability to adapt and handle being in new places without knowing anyone. It was a time of trial and stepping out of my comfort zone from trusting strangers with Airbnb to sitting by myself at a pub. And it was an opportunity for me to really do the things that I wanted to do (horseback riding, speaking Spanish, spending time with locals instead of just the travelers in the hostels).
Phase Two: Sharing the Experience with Friends & Family
Today, I am thrilled that Lainie came to meet me in Marrakech for our nine-day tour of Morocco! (Lainie and I are next-door neighbors and we met in the dark hallway of the 7th floor during hurricane Sandy) This trip kicks off the second phase of being joined along my travels by friends and family – which just so happens to be grouped together in consecutive weeks. It will be a little slower paced and I will be less concerned with seeing everything and meeting new people (although I’m sure we will!). I am looking forward to sharing some great experiences with my friends – probably those of you who are actually reading this right now!
Phase Three: Relax, Relocate & Reflect
The third phase of my travels is where I want to take a bit of a step back from all the running around to a different city every night or two. I want to find one or two places that I can call ‘home’ for a week or so, where I can actually unpack my suitcase, cook a meal and have a local pub. With less to worry about in terms of travel logistics and fitting all the sites into a few days, I will have time to actually relax and enjoy the end of my trip. I will also take this time to reflect on my 100 days and maybe even get some clarity on what happens when I get home!
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