On the Road

I love to travel.  It's the perfect metaphor for life not being just about the destination, but the journey too.  There is something about carrying with you only what you need and being so self contained that is liberating.  The constant movement between various modes of transportation open unexpected doors and put you into contact with people that you may have never encountered otherwise. 

This is Portland's MAX train at 6 a.m.  There were a handful of other people on it who looked as though they were on their way to the airport too.  I wondered about them--where they were going, if they had just been visiting Portland and were now going home or what fun trip they had ahead.  Any other day I'd strike up a conversation, but this trip was different.  I wanted to soak up EVERY second.  So I stuck my IPod, affectionately named Coco, in my ears, sat back and smiled.

As we were crossing the Willamette River, the sun began to rise and the Foo Fighters came on Coco.  This was something that occurred throughout my trip--moments where music I hadn't heard in years came on at just the right time.  Music that reminded me of independent times in my past--where I was not only happy and connected to creating a life I always wanted but had the presence of mind to also watch as it bloomed.

(P.S. LOVE the lady in the background wondering WTF I was taking a picture of.)

Snapshot of SSG's IPod:  I'll Stick Around (Foo Fighters), Anna Begins (Counting Crows), 29 (Gin Blossoms), On Your Way (EastMountainSouth), Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel), This is the One (Stone Roses), Dream On (Aerosmith), Leaving on a Jet Plane (Peter, Paul & Mary), Surprise Me (Randori) & Passionate Kisses (Mary Chapin Carpenter)

Remember how CALM I was about everything fitting in my suitcase?  Check out my mad packing skillz--my services are available.  ONE carryon and a GRANDE bag did the trick ... as did a triple shot iced americano ... with lots of ICE (something I'd soon learn to miss).

And just as I thought--even with hundreds of songs, television shows and movies at my disposal--I instead spent a lot of time staring out the window and dreaming.  About an hour before landing, I did start talking to the gentleman I had been sitting next to for HOURS.  He was French, but lived in Minnesota for 6 months out of the year, so we had a good chat about France and America, work and travel.  He had French boyfriend potential, but alas was married with kids and SSG doesn't cheat, even in her daydreams.

And then I made it, at 6 a.m. Paris time.  They even had the Eiffel Tower at CDG which made my heart do a little pitter pat.  I wish I could have captured the sheer volume of sounds at this place.  The hustle and bustle of people toting huge amounts of luggage (they obviously need my seminar), the different languages being spoken, the clipping of women's high heels on the floor and conversations on cell phones.  

I found my driver who was wandering around the "Arrivals" area holding up a sign with my name on it.  I WISH I would have taken a picture because I felt TOTALLY famous and wondered for a second if the French paparazzi were going to show up.  But then I got sidetracked by the GORGEOUS man holding the sign and offering to take my bag.  I had just met French boyfriend #1 ...