Andiamo

I looked at Gary as he drove the behemoth Ford toward the airport. “I don’t know what I’m doing”, I said. He flicked an eye my way. “I know”, he said. “No, really. I have no idea what I’m doing or what this will be like.” I sighed. “Yeah, I know.” But did he know? How could he, when I didn’t even know what I was getting myself into. As it was, all my careful planning and agonizing over every gram of gear had already gone out the window – after all the practice packing I was left in a fit of indecision over items I wanted but didn’t know I would need. In the end I’d shoved a bunch of crap into a large suitcase with the vague notion that I would make final decisions at Natalie and Ian’s before I had to leave on the bike. Sigh.

But there was a sense of relief also – the bag was closed and we were on our way. The bike was handily packed in a shipping box with hope of intact arrival. I was going to check in early and hopefully get a decent seat – who knew – maybe an upgrade!

Gary pulled into the short term parking and unloaded my heavies while I made sure no small essentials fell out of my bulging backpack. So many cords, plugs, devices – *things*. Ugh. I didn’t like having so much to keep track of, but it was my load for now anyway, and I couldn’t drop any bits.

I grabbed a cart and Gary loaded it up. “Let’s say bye here, it’ll be easier”, I volunteered, not wanting to draw the process out. ” – if you want”, I added. “Ok, yeah”, he said with some relief – he must he must have felt the same thing. I steeled myself – I wouldn’t cry. “Ok, bye then!”, and we kissed and hugged and I cleared my throat and bit the inside of my lip. I turned the cart toward the elevators. “Do you want help?” “No, I’ve got it”, I said as I wedged the cart between two pylons. Gary freed the cart and we tuned the bike box vertically and wheeled it through the opening elevator door. “Ok then! Bye!”, and out he went as I pressed the button. The door shut and the tears welled, but I breathed through them and they didn’t flow. I was scheduled to be away two months – no use crying already!

I wheeled my unwieldy load to the Virgin counter, and was asked if I wanted to give up my seat for a round trip ticket plus hotel and meals? Now how often does that offer come up when I’m traveling solo and without a set schedule?!But I’d made plans to meet a friend on the other end and felt bad about canceling, so I passed on the offer. Hopefully Id have the same opportunity on the return trip – haha.

And here I am, bike and bag checked, security cleared and food and beer consumed in the traditional international terminal establishment, site of numerous happy vacation and travel starts. And they’re calling my flight.