Everyone's got their own tendencies when they are on the road. There is the Stephen/Susan Shutterbug - the one who wants eight photos of them self, taking with slightly different poses in front of the same statue. There is also Planning Polly, one who likes each minute of their day mapped out with museum visits and guided tours. (Incidentally, I went to Niagara Falls with a Planning Peter; we were in a relationship. It was during that trip that I learned that there was no way it was going to work out.) I am neither of these characters. I am a Freewheeling Fanny, one who plans very little.
I have two credos by which I abide on the road:
1. “All information will be given on a need to know basis.” (That’s from Scent of a Woman)
2. “What you don’t have, you don’t need it now.” That’s U2.
My memory is already slippery and limited, and – go ahead and laugh, dear reader – to remember something takes a lot of work! This is especially true on the road, for there is so much to see and explore! I don’t want to busy my fragile mind with LOGISTICS! Especially if I don’t need them this minute!
I spent a little over a week in England last August, dividing my time between Oxford and London, in the steps of my favorite author, C.S. Lewis. (Ireland is forthcoming!) I had different hosts lined up for each night so that I could stay with locals and get to know local culture. When one of my hosts asked me with whom I was staying later that week, I told her I didn’t know. She gave me a strange look, and I said I don’t need to know right now. I’ll need to know Saturday.
Then, my Saturday host asked me when I would be able to meet him that afternoon. (He had planned a welcoming picnic and pub-crawl.) I told him that I didn’t know; I couldn’t know, because I didn’t know what I was doing that morning! I said, tell where I need to be and when, and I’ll be there. That worked out much better. He later commented to me that my “free spirit approach” was refreshing, and I was pleased to make his day.
What kind of character do you think you are, dear reader?
It sounds like i am most like you. I travel sometimes too and i usually dont have a clue where would i stay or what my plans are. i just do everything when it comes up. but sometimes i think i waste time when i get lost, and dont even invest in a map.
that I have certain things lined up - a return ticket home, a place to stay - but other than that, I go where the wind takes me.
You're right in what you say though about getting lost. I know that I sometimes feel like I'm wasting time as well. I try to squeeze what I can out of those times, but every time I recover from one of those, I think to myself: next time, I'll plan a little.
But I don't. :)
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
H.D.Thoreau http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sahara