Saturday, January 17, 2015

Planning and Choosing Thailand.



Traveling has become an essential, a need, a non-stop desire in this life of ours. A few months ago, a thought approached me and I've been running with it; hoping and praying everything would fall into place, hoping I could pull it off. 

Since we started dating at 19 years old, we've made traveling a huge part of our lifestyle. I remember our first trip; a road trip to Gainsville, Florida. Sure it was small and a few hours away, but it was my first overnight road trip with someone other than my family. It was a big deal at the time, we saved, we packed up his car and headed South to Florida to see my best friend, Dominique. I remember feeling excited, I wanted him to meet her and vice versa. I hadn't seen her since Germany. We did not have the advanced modern technology today, which I think made the trip more interesting, as I remember getting lost and entertaining ourselves with self-made cd mixes and conversations. 

The very next year, we spent almost a week in Vegas, even renting a car and driving through Utah to Arizona, to my hometown. We were young, no kids, not much responsibilities except work, so there were times we planned trips on a whim. I find that if you think too much about it, you will inevitably find an excuse not to go. My advice; Purchase your ticket and just GO!

Since I could remember, my husband has had an obsession with Bali, or perhaps it was a result of watching Eat. Pray. Love, that started this whole thing. I know we declared that our next big trip wouldn't be stateside, but to aim for international. So a few months ago, an idea came to me; why not surprise my husband with a trip to Bali for his birthday. The BIG 30 is coming up for the both of us, scary, mostly for me, and not so much for him. How amazing would it be to turn 30 in paradise? So I began planning and started to notice that I may need to let him know as some things made it harder to keep the secret; passports and his job, to name a few. So one night, I spilled the surprise, I informed him of my plan. We talked and planned and planned some more, eventually the trip turned into Bali and Thailand, ultimately we started to notice we may need more time, so Bali dropped and Thailand consumed our trip. We have always had an interest in Thai culture and food. The trip will consist of everything from food, history, architectural in Bangkok to relaxing in Phuket, and a visit to Ko Phi Phi (Google it!). We have exactly 2 months and I am feeling everything from excitement to nervous to scared. 

There was hesitation about leaving Autumn. Two weeks is a very long time, but with the help and comfort of family, it is a little bit easier. There have been a lot of talks with my mom, some I'm in tears, but as my mom, she has comforted and convinced me that this trip is meant for Re and I. We do need some alone time and if we can take a trip like this; we should take advantage of it. Autumn will be fine spending spring break with my siblings/nephew.  As young as she is, she will not remember a thing. Trust me, being away from her is still an extremely hard thought to grasp. Feeling guilty, a trip to DisneyWorld for her birthday in May will definitely make up for it. 

So after a couple months of planning, there were a few moments I did not think it would happen, but everything is purchased, there is no turning back. No more excuses, no talking our way out of it.