It is amazing how fast time can pass by - it seems like only yesterday that I arrived here in the UK - when in fact it's been just over 3 weeks! The first few days passed by quickly as we were getting organized for our train journey with Mel. When I arrived, no fixed plans had been made, save that we would travel by rail.
While both Mel & Tish were quite happy to play everything by ear -it did not work for me. I was acutely aware that we were planning to travel around the same time that schools were breaking for summer holidays and that finding reasonably priced accommodation in Europe would be a challenge.
So - I sat down with Tish and worked out a route, identified places where we would overnight. Mel & Tish had decided that if we travelled at night- we could sleep on the train and explore the various cities during the day. I was very conscious of my inability to truly sleep on moving vehicles and aware that I needed to ensure that I look after myself - so made sure that the night following any night train would see us in a hotel.
We packed up our rucksacks and set off for our grand tour - we were going to Belgium, Italy (via Frankfort), Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic (to see Randy + the boys), back to Austria (where I would hop on a flight to return to the UK, and Mel & Tish would then hit Germany and the Netherlands before returning to the UK.
We soon discovered that keeping connected to the Internet while travelling would be a challenge. Although we lugged a laptop around with us - we really only managed to connect once - and at that point we were all pretty tired and had no energy to use it.
After one night on a sleeper - I declared that I would not travel by night for the remainder of the trip. So, made arrangements to travel by day (Mel & Tish took the sleeper) and booked a hotel en route to Vienna - I caught up with them in Vienna. Although our passes allowed us to travel first class - we soon discovered that we had to reserve our spots in advance. It seems that most people want to travel first class and often found that first class was sold out!
We lucked out the first night and secured a first class berth in the sleeper train. The image I had created in my mind of what it would resemble and the reality were vastly different. As you know - I am not a small person .... nor am I short. The room was very narrow with three berth's one on top of each other. Sitting was not an option - without being very hunched! While there was a little basin in the room ...there was no bathroom - just a ladder to climb to get to the middle and top bunk.
I looked at the itty bitty space - and was ready to call it quits. Mel jumped into hyper mode and went scurrying after one of the train porters to see if there was a single or larger room for us. Thankfully, we managed to secure an extra room - and I forked out an additional 65 Euros. It was a long night - but there was space to breath and think. By morning I had resolved that I would not take another night train for the remainder of our trip.
Rather than let it simmer, I calmly announced my resolution to Tish & Mel and set about making arrangements that would allow me to continue on the trip in a manner that worked for me. In making the declaration, I realized how far I've come these last few months. In the past, I would have made do ...I would not have been happy and my mood would have deteriorated pretty quickly. Along the way, I would have held many conversations with myself, expressing my frustration . . . not verbalizing would allowed my frustrations & anger to simmer away . . . until they reached a boiling point. Boiling point would result in me spitting bullets at all who dared to cross my path!
My new found awareness and desire to take care of myself - provided me with the impetuous to consider options that would allow me to nurture myself as well as spend time with people I care very much for and explore places I've never been before.
In this respect the trip was very successful. WOOHOO!!! .... PROGRESS!
Exercising and eating regularly as well as healthy proved to be much much harder to achieve. We did do a lot of walking (usually several hours daily) - but did not manage to do any other exercise. Mel did manage to get a bike ride in while we were in Venice -she discovered the racks of street bikes that you could rent by the hour. Perhaps it was the places we chose to eat, but there were not a lot of choices when it came to meals. We did try something local - every where we went - and in so doing discovered that the countries we were visiting - the food was fairly heavy.
I did make peace with this (after all this was all about me applying what I have learnt since I commenced this dance) and resolved that at the very least I would aim to maintain what I have achieved to date. We'll see what the scale reveals when I step on them on Saturday morning.
I suspect that there will be a difference - and the stark reality will provide me with the incentive to get back on track. I will have to plot out a plan for the coming weeks as I know that there will be much to be done upon my return to work on Monday. I am determined to get into the gym again - I did managed to scheduled a few Pilates sessions while here in the UK and could feel the difference when I went yesterday (following our European trip) - so can imagine that it will take a few trips to the gym to return to the levels that I was at when I left Structure House.
I'm looking forward to resuming the dance - I have no doubt that my return to work will require me to adjust some of the steps that I've learnt so far - and this is OK - after all it's my time to dance and quite frankly it is up to me to ensure that the dance continues!
Thanks for all of our your support - this next chapter will likely be a rocky one - - - one that will require all hands on deck!
Take care & lots of love,
Norma
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