Bucket List Item.
Truth – there were tears when the announcement came.
I may have blacked out.
Back story; I was told, by a previous wine job (said company will ALWAYS remain nameless) that I was going to experience an educational journey to Australia. (and not just Australia – Burgundy, the South of France – oh, how naive this girl can be.) Not once, not twice – a few times. Magically, trips were cancelled, communication was “skewed”, but I was always promised that next time…
That next time became a black spot on the globe for me.
I never gave up hope. I never stopped the dream. But – I never REALLY thought a trip would materialize.
Until now.
The first response you will get from a person, when you tell them you are traveling to Australia, is the following: “Why would you want to take such a long trip. I would never do such a thing.”
Few thoughts:
- Thanks for raining on my parade.
- You have got to be kidding – someone is TAKING ME across the world. Enough said.
- The world is here for me to travel in – for me to eat all of it’s food, drink all of its wine, lay on its hills and sing songs, walk for hours with no destination.
- My mind will not be trapped in one place. I will not allow fear or going into the unknown to be a deterrent.
- Have you ever MET anyone with an accent, a face, a mind different from yours? Try it some time.
- My bags are already packed to go back.
It wasn’t easy. I didn’t think it would be easy – the travel part. However, 75% of the physical travel, I was not alone. I met up with co-workers (that I have never met in person – what a heart warming experience) in California to make the longer jaunt to Adelaide. I slept, I read, I was uncomfortable. I don’t mind time alone, or in my head – I had lots of it. It’s always the last few hours that become heart crushing. Listen, we did it, and we did it together.
And Adelaide – you beautiful city. I do regret not experiencing your open air market; this was a Sunday and you were closed, but I snuck in anyway. Who knew you had amazing hot pots and Korean cuisine, China town, sexy wine bars with beautiful people perched in them, and pop up art installations in random places. Jet lag grabbed me and I had to take a moment. I need to know more about you.
This was the beginning – no big wine stuff yet. But just wait – this trip was the wine trip of them all.
