road trip

Two friends, on a road trip – not trying to escape the law like Thelma & Louise (though one of us did come home with a warrant for her arrest in the state of Pennsylvania), just hoping to escape reality for a couple of weeks. Driving from Ontario to Florida for New Years Eve...no plans, no where to stay, completely by the seats of our pants.

Allow me to backtrack. I am an uptight vacationer. I need a vacation after planning a vacation. Every last detail painstakingly thought out, analysed, researched, short-listed and confirmed. From what day of the week is best to exchange money, what sales taxes are charged in each state, what hotels offer free Wi-fi (because laptops are mandatory on holiday?), weather patterns and of course, where to find the best outlet malls.

None of these, not even the least significant of plans, actually made it to execution. We got in the car and drove. No plans. No where to stay. And guess what?? It didn’t kill me!

*Sidebar: I really did believe I was dying at one point, though it turned out to be nothing more than a nasty throat infection that thanks to the United States Food & Drug Administration was cleared up in a matter of days.

The most important part of this trip, aside from the five pairs of shoes I came home with, is that I learned something about myself. That my life doesn’t have to be scheduled to be enjoyed, that being spontaneous is not a killer, and that facing my fears has been a healthy part of moving forward while overcoming a setback. And that the setback is not much of a setback at all, but an opportunity to enjoy more of the journey.