Preparing for the Trip
Oh my gosh. This is worse than planning a wedding, I kid you not.
As someone in my 60’s, single, with health challenges, I’m not the poster girl for travel. I’m not the typical lady you usually see writing a blog like this, or even making a trip like this. But that’s exactly why I wanted to do it. (And why I want you to join me on my adventure.)
It started in March of 2025. I decided I wanted to go to Thailand, so I went through a travel agent, Amy, at Travel House here in Quincy, Illinois. The flight to Thailand was really long and to be honest, I didn’t wanna sit on such a long flight. I’d just had my knees done (I’ll tell you about that in another post.) This is the type of thing where having an expert help. Amy suggested we start in Europe, and I was like “Portugal and Spain?!” and then… it exploded. I have no idea how it exploded, but it exploded.
I had my left knee replaced in September and my right knee done in October, so I have two new knees! I also have really bad asthma, so I carry my inhaler wherever I go: thus the title “two new knees and an inhaler.”
Three Things I Really Needed to Do Before I Go:
Decide how to do my hair. I don’t like hair on my face, and I do tend to perspire a lot. I’ll be gone for ten months, in all kinds of different climates, and the only thing that should be on my neck is some guy kissing me, not sweaty hair. I didn’t know if I wanted it short-short, or long enough to do braids and a ponytail. Well, long is easier to fix than short if I didn’t like it, so we went with long and I worked on growing it out. I’m even getting multiple conditioning treatments before I go to make sure it’s in the best shape possible before I leave. I highly recommend explaining your travel plans to your hairdresser before you leave so you can make a plan, because it’s one less thing to worry about!
Get my passport: what a fiasco. It had expired, so I sent it in. I didn’t have all the right materials, which include a birth certificate, social security card, divorce papers... Fast tracking required fees simply so I can leave on time. My advice to anyone is to make time for passport prep. It might take longer than you think! Personally, I went straight to the local post office and visited their passport person. I was told to apply, they explained what I had to do, I submitted and put a rush on it. I had to spend lots of time gathering physical documents, so be sure to factor that in when you’re thinking ahead! Some countries require a visa, too, so it’s always good to check depending on where you’re going!
Contact the health department: I had to figure out what I need to do before I go overseas. Any shot you can imagine, if I’ve already had it, I’m probably gonna get it again. Even monkeypox has come out! With everywhere I’m going, better safe than sorry. You can review with the doctor what you have had and haven’t had, and they can help you make a plan from there.
I’d also been advised to only take one suitcase, which I think is complete bullshit, no woman can only take one suitcase! But I’m going to. I am packing for the entire trip, and every season imaginable. I’ve never been a layering girl, but I’m starting, especially for Iceland. I’m learning. Thermal jeans, windbreaker jackets, sweatshirts, thermal jeans, long sleeve shirts, and tank tops. I am going to look like the little boy in the Christmas story that became the marshmallow man and couldn’t move!
This is My First Post About Travel
I’d love for you to follow me along.
If you’re a praying person, I’m asking for prayers for safety as I get out of my comfort zone.
If you’re a spiritual person, I’d ask for you to ask me to open my heart and let me take in all the nature and culture of the people I’ll be experiencing.
If you are an atheist just think of me now and then, and hope that I get through this alive.
My goal is to come back with my mind and heart opened even more than they are (because I think my mind and heart are already opened a lot.)
I want to believe in myself more, and believe in whatever is being shown to me by spirits, Gods, whatever you believe in, pray for me, believe in me. Don’t offer me up as a sacrifice, that’s the only thing I ask. Just let me get through this with a lot of love, confidence, and understanding.
