The first time I traveled alone was to Vancouver. The city was full of pink blossoms, and my time there was almost like a meditation it was so quiet – I stayed in English Bay and fell deeply in love with the city, its coffee houses and shining condos. A few years later I went back to stay with a dear friend, on a trip that was very different. We bussed up and down on the B Line or “free line”, dodging in its back doors when the driver wasn’t looking to save fares. We bought cheap beer and giggled relentlessly while adorning each other with permanent marker knuckle tattoos, and adding extra sets of eyes to art school friend’s faces, and ate three dollar breakfasts. We bummed cigarettes and ate veggie dogs. It was a brilliant, raucous, and alive.
This time, in getting ready to travel alone to Las Vegas to meet up with my blog friends for the first time, my mood is very different – I’m terribly excited and a little nervous. I’m worried about being away from my young husband for the first time in a very long time, refusing to stop cuddling the puppies, worry that I’m leaving friends when a couple are having a tough time, and demanding that Mister have activities all weekend so he’s not wont to hopelessly pine after me the whole time.
Truth be told, this little homebody has alternately maudlin about the whole thing as well as through the roof excited about it in private moments. There’s too much to think and feel about it, and with so much about to happen I’m feeling it all at once.
I know I will get on the plane and be pushing off to a whole new world. I know I will make amazing friends, and find people whose ‘pace’ I fit in with. I will feel my go with the flow, adventure seeking genes kick in, and I will laugh & get a sunburn while wearing SPF 50. I’m also secretly excited to make some big city American friends.
To ride out my nervous energy I’ve been taking comfort in routine. Before I leave for a new city, no matter where I’m going or for how long, there are a few rituals I walk through:
- Buy girly magazines for the plane and (hopefully) the poolside.
- Get a manicure & pedicure.
- Have my bangs cut.
- Make a new Mix CD – which I will post here next week.
- Keep my restless self moving.
Do you have any rituals you take comfort in when something big is about to happen?
{images: vi.sualize.us, sigur-ros}
mandy
You are going to have a fantastic time in Vegas! I wish I was going. I would love to meet up with you and I have a feeling our “pace” is about the same speed.
I always scedule extra friend and puppy time before leaving for a trip.
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Dana
Hmm…the big pre-travel dilemma for me is always which book to bring to read on the plane and during idle moments. I try to travel carry-on only so it can’t be too big. It shouldn’t be a partially-finished book, unless I’ll have time and opportunity to pick up a new one. I *also* shouldn’t be a book I’m really attached to because there’s a good chance I’ll leave it on the plane (I hope whoever found my copy of The Flying Troutmans enjoys it…) or somewhere else.
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Nora
Oh, you are not alone.
I have been cuddling with Irish as much as possible, staying up way too late talking to him, just to be next to him.
As for Jack? I refuse to leave his side as much as possible so he realizes how much I love him.
My rituals…
* NEW crossword puzzle book for each trip, even though I probably have one or two at home that are 50% finished
* Gum. I need it so that my ears don’t pop like crazy
* Make a travel checklist that I obsessively check, even after I’ve packed
* Carry my boarding pass around with me no matter where I am at the airport because I’m always afraid I will lose it
I have also insisted Irish have lots of activities to keep him busy. At least he has Jack for the weekend so they can lay around together when they want to miss me. (Bonus: I bought Jack two new dog toys today and am dropping a surprise in the mail for Irish to get while I’m away. I know, Iknow. cheesy. But it makes me feel better!)
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hillary
you are going to have so much fun!
my rituals, when I’m stressed/excited, include making numerous playlists to match my energy and eating copious amounts of chocolate.
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Lauren
Ooh! I’m excited for the mixed CD. I was obsessed with your Christmas mix. (Did I ever tell you that?)
You are going to have a great time! It sounds like your rituals have you well prepared. My ritual? Rushing out the door while forgetting many essential items after little sleep because I didn’t pack until the very, very last second. And I never have magazines or anything fun on the plane. I just sit there. Or talk to my neighbor. Haha. Poor people!
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MinD
So jealous, but I bet you will all have such a great time! I can’t wait to hear all about it, and maybe join in the festivities next year (if it happens again, of course).
I always buy magazines, too. I don’t know why, especially because I typically pack a book as well and choose that over the ‘zine, but it’s a ritual to buy at least a copy of Cosmo and Glamour. I also need to clean the house before I leave town. I prefer coming back to a nice, neat home than a tornado mess from my packing frenzy.
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Princess of the Universe
Rituals?? Uh, I pack?
Apparently I’m only organized and ritualistic at work. :P
xo
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Princess of the Universe
PS I LOVE the photos you’ve used for this. Perfect.
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Rachie
Must be nice to have a maniped that often. I seriously never get a mani and only a pedi like twice a year at most.
I bring girly mags, a newly stocked ipod, candy, and water. That’s all I need. Oh wait, and my laptop if possible.
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Elle Bee
I’m excited for you.
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floreta
have fun! blog meetups are still so foreign to me. i haven’t done one yet but i imagine i will follow suit soon!
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Leah
I double and quadruple check that my passport is where I keep it (in my underwear drawer) and I plan outfits for my trip!
It sounds like you are all prepared! Your mention of getting your bangs cut before you go away made me smile. Have so so so much fun and take lots of photos!
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sara.jane
Have a wonderful time! I think anyone is brave though to go to Vegas in June….holy hot temps! Thank goodness for A/C.
Also, even though I think it would be fun to meet the people behind the blogs I read, I would be afriad they may not like me!!! :( Never know. I think I’m a little much for some people at times. Oopsies.
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Erin
I am SO excited and also completely freaked out about going to Vegas. I am such a homebody, and not at all a spontaneous person. This trip is so far out of my comfort zone it’s kind of amazing that I am going at all.
Still, it’s going to be a blast…and you will not be the only one rocking the spf 50. I’m pasty and proud!
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Russ
hope you have a great time :)
looking forward to your mix tape
and hope to see some snaps of vegas and ya bangs
I like to travel light
but make I too make sure I make a mix tape
and take a notepad with me and a good book <3
xoxo
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apricot tea.
I’m a case of nerves too, but I’m very glad that Jonathan is coming with me. The last thing I need is to get lost in Vegas somewhere.
As far as rituals go, I’m painting my nails, collecting images of what I’ll be wearing this weekend, purchasing some music on itunes, & fretting about where Sofie will be staying! Yikes!
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molly
I’m so excited for you! Traveling alone is priceless, and at least you’ll have a whole group of people to meet/greet you. Before I travel, I’m all about figuring out what books I’m going to read, packing the night before with a mega check off list and making sure my ipod is charged. Enjoy it! I’m sure you will!
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Larissa
I’m so excited for you! Meeting blog buddies is always so much fun. In September I’m planning to fly down and meet a blog friend or two in Georgia, im nervous, but oh I cant wait! eeps!
I’m sure you’ll be just fine. Also, dont forget to pack for lots of heat and sun.
My travel rituals:
*load up my ipod with tons of fun music, buy a new book (which I never seem to read :D), buy gum, make tons of lists and check em more than twice
i’m so jealous! i hope you blog about it when you get back :)
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katelin
yay! i’m so excited to meet you this weekend. it’s going to be amazing, i just know it!
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Megan
I get burnt, even if I wear spf 50, too. Ah, the glow-in-the-dark pale.
Have fun in Vegas!
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Alice
what a lovely trip preparation routine that is!! i should impliment more of those before traveling.. :-)
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Elizabeth
My main ritual is panicking that I forgot something critical, like a hearing aid battery. I always have to remind myself that I am not traveling to the third world–I can pick up whatever I need where ever I am for the most part!
I love traveling alone–there is a special clarity that comes about that I just can’t get when I am with other people.
I am so excited about this trip, but I have this gigantic weight in my stomach because it means three days of not studying right before the LSAT. Ah well–to avoid sunburning, I’ll probably be cramming under an umbrella.
See you soon!
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SoMi's Nilsa
You’re meeting up with some wonderful bloggers and the time will just melt away. Have a great time.
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brookem
i hope you have so much fun this weekend! can’t wait to hear all about the big meetup!
good luck traveling by yourself…. it will be worth it!
also?, i love the zero 7 song that’s the title of this post.
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Jessica
I can’t wait for this weekend! I love the photos in this post too, the umbrellas are awesome!
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IndieTea
I hope you enjoy the trip, being alone sounds a bit magical, you can do whatever you want, see whatever you want…
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nicoleantoinette
Holy hell I’m excited to meet you. Are you sick of hearing that yet??
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deutlich
Can I just say? I REALLY want to see Sigur Ros live.
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Sara
I’m with you on the girly magazines. They’re a must have!
Have a great trip!
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Lily
Ok, I love your rituals! I also typically grab a magazine – this time it’s actually two issues of SPIN that are at least a couple months old that I’ve never had time for. The mani/pedi will be self-given tonight in Cali as I’ve had no time to schedule it. I was just thinking this morning, however, that I should find a salon in/near the hotel right away tomorrow AM because I need an eyebrow wax and a bang trim! :)
I am SO thrilled to meet you tomorrow! :)
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Lys
this might be a little nerdy, but i love having crossword puzzles or my nintendo DS to play on while i’m flying. i also make sure to have a book or two, but i’ve never been one for magazines. see you soon!
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Lauren
You’re going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to hear stories :)
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Allie
I always have to call my best friend to tell her I love her before I get on a plane. The hubs thinks it’s morbid, but hey – you can never tell the people you love that you love them enough.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
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Elizabeth
Just found your blog through 20-something bloggers – love it, can’t wait to read more. :)
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bode lou
ahhh! i am a last minute traveler. as in i pack last minute, arrange my plans last minute, sometimes even buy my ticket last minute. that way i feel ultimately spontaeous.
however, before something big is about to happen i make sure of a few things.
1. i have new tunes
2. i have new shoes
3. i have a no “do”
without these three the trip will not be what it could have been. have a blast and give those kiddos hugs and kisses for moi!
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andhari
You’re gonna come there too? How exciting for all of you, wish I lived nearby so I could at least check it out and meeting fabulous bloggers like yourself :)
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Meghan
Nervous energy is some of the best energy. And I’m with you for making a fun new cd. Always a good start to a great trip. Have a blast in Vegas!
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Valley Girl
Can I just say I love your layout! Simple, yet chic!
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E.P.
Aww, I wish I had read this before Vegas because I felt the same exact way.
Now? I’m simply amazed that we all got to hang out and have such a wonderful time. We need to start planning next year’s gathering immediately!
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