I can barely wait. I get all excited just thinking about it. Our time there will be too short, I can see that now, but it will be a taste, and then we can go back if we like. Already, I think we will like. I mean, dear God, just look at the colors. And catch how animated folks get when they hear we are going to New Orleans. People who have been there get a look in their eye, as if they remember a time when they were as close to magic as it gets.
And this is the other thing I am learning, the anticipation is part of the journey. The planning and looking forward. The secret smiling dreaming that adds brightness to routine. Truly, the enjoyment begins before you ever arrive, and lives on after in the simple fact of having taken yourself to another place. I think travelers build a certain muscle, an openness to life as you find it, no energy wasted in resisting. Whatever is, is.
are you going this next weekend, or the following?
ReplyDelete(i am going through the same thing, in total anticipation of our trip. we leave saturday morning. i can't wait!!)
I think you are exactly right about that muscle and mine is very weak. I hope to work on it as I venture to Asheville.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know what? You and the Mister are going to have MAGIC times in New Orleans. You won't be able to help it.
I have been a lurker for months, but I just had to comment to let you know know how jealous I am. New Orleans is my absolute favorite city I have ever been to. It is just so ALIVE.
ReplyDeleteoh my god, this:
ReplyDelete"anticipation is part of the journey. The planning and looking forward. The secret smiling dreaming that adds brightness to routine. Truly, the enjoyment begins before you ever arrive, and lives on after in the simple fact of having taken yourself to another place."
you say it so true, that's exactly how it worked for me as well.
yum. I am excited for you.
And your anticipation and enthusiasm is contagious!
ReplyDeleteit goes without saying you are going to have a GREAT time!
ReplyDeleteLook at that, Jacki de-lurked!
ReplyDeleteThis is a weird travel tip but it works better than you can imagine: buy a brand new perfume that's different from any scent you've had before and wear it every day while you're there. After you get home, just sniffing it will bring back such vivid memories. And when you do wear the perfume again at home on special occasions (maybe on Date Nights), it'll be a powerful memory trigger for your husband, too.
Susan, not for a couple of weekends yet. The way I'm behaving you'd think i was leaving tomorrow! have a wonderful time on your trip.
ReplyDeleteMs. Moon, my muscle is usually a little weak, too, but somehow this time i am feeling nothing but anticipation. i think it helps that i know no one there and no one knows me, and i will be with my sandbox partner (ie my husband).
JackieOh, so nice to meet you! Thank you for delurking and I hope you do it often!
deirdre, i could tell it worked that way for you because when you were going to paris i was so excited for you for weeks before hand!
elizabeth, i voted today already!
mouse, thank you, i think i shall.
ellen, what a fantastic tip! i am not a perfume wearer generally, so this might be doubly evocative! i'm going to do it!
It's absolutely true that a trip begins a long time before it actually physically takes place. Wonderful photo - so much colour and joy.
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for you! I adore New Orleans, it holds some of my favorite memories. We have friends who descend from an old family and live on an amazing plantation. I remember feeling iffy the first few times, but you know what, people are absolutly lovely, and no matter how we see it, there is no denying history. I spent some of my best teen vacations in that house, surrounded by strong people with great values, including a 90 year old substitute grandmother who insisted everyday on visiting and bringing food to her former maid (it is what it is), thus also making me discover the other sides of New Orleans. Have fun and please take many many pictures.
ReplyDeleteJust looking at those colours under the house makes me feel so happy. My mother always tells me never to surprise her when i come home. She wants to look forward to it for weeks before. I know what she means!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! those colors are so delicious. I knew right away what I was looking at! I sometimes wish my home was not brick so that I could paint it all those wonderful bright colors!
ReplyDeleteOlga, as soon as I saw the colors on that house I knew I had to share it.
ReplyDeleteMiss A, what rich experiences you have had! You are truly a global soul.
ABL, I love what your mother said! Wise woman.
Kim, it would be cheeful indeed to live in a house with those colors!
LET'S GET GOING! LET'S GET GOING! LET'S GET GOING! LET'S GET GOING! LET'S GET GOING! LET'S GET GOING!
ReplyDeleteheeeeheeeeheeeheeee
love,
Rebecca
Have a great trip! I think N.O. is definitely one of the best cities in the U.S. for photography!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful, your take on the agile response of the traveling muscle. The readiness muscle. The openness muscle. That's one I need to work on, metaphorically and very literally, whether or not physical travel is involved.
ReplyDeleteLovely colors, great blog.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, hehehehe, I'm still busy anticipating!
ReplyDeleteSteve, i can just imagine. my little red canon will be in evidence for sure.
A, this is a muscle i am actively working on myself. i am not one who typically looks forward to travel, so my excitement this time feels like progress.
Bengts, thank you for visiting and commenting! Heading over to visit you now.