​Weathering the Storm with the WP#148

As I write this edition of Weathering the Storm, I am preparing to head across the pond again, not the little pond, but the big pond. I am heading to Asia for the first time since I was there on a crazy little trip to Singapore in 2018, when I had to reach a certain number of miles to attain Platinum status with Delta and it was suggested that I may really like it and truly I did. And, it was very much a whirlwind trip, literally leaving on the 24th of December and returning, I believe, on the 30th, and even crossed into Malaysia for a day, so I got a two for one deal, and with the crossing of the international date line, I really went a long way for 4 days in country (or countries). I transited in Tokyo, but that discussion is done, and I did not count it and even now.

As you know, I have done a lot of travel this year, as last and most of it has been to Europe, but my goal on this forthcoming trip and the one just finished to Botswana, was to expand my portfolio of experiences. Everyone knows me for Europe and places like Iceland and even more so for Italy, haha!! I feel that other places in the world deserve exploration, and this will make me a better travel advisor, to be able to provide experiences in some of the more out of the way places. I have also attended many international travel trade shows and conferences and so, having boots on the ground in different places. This allows me better access to some of those more out of the way places, so that when I plan travels for clients, I have many locals with which I work. This is something that I am very proud of, the partnerships I have built around the world. ​

My bread and butter will always be Europe, but the opportunity to share other places in the world beyond the borders of Europe is part of my plan in being a better professional travel planner. Of course, the more time in Italy and having my secret weapon in Rome and other places in the country does not hurt either. For the record, I have already attained Platinum with Delta, and thought maybe, just maybe, I could attain Diamond, but even with this forthcoming trip and no time really to add anything else, I will be just short. This happened last year, as well, but in the end, I have better things to be concerned about than attaining status with an airline. The only status for me that matters is my status with Rosa and our relationship which continues to grow stronger every day even from across the little pond. ​

She was not necessarily happy about my taking this last trip this year, and for the record, I leave tomorrow for Vietnam and Cambodia, she understood. I told her this was a trip I had planned before the pandemic and well, we all know what happened. I am very interested in the history and culture and am looking forward to this trip, that while like all others, is a working holiday, I do not have any meetings planned, no conferences to attend, or deadlines to meet. Yes, I have scheduled experiences, but I am going as a traveler and not a travel advisor, but I always have my eyes open to new ideas, and ears open to how these new destinations, for me, will fit into my portfolio. ​

Also, these will be countries, officially, 82 and 83, and I am working with a partner I met years ago in Berlin at an international conference. This trip was to happen in 2019, but that December, I had been on the road at least half the year and I was exhausted and totally overweight and out of shape. It is different now. Vietnam has been on my list for a while and, of course, it could have happened in 2020, oh, that’s right, it could not have happened and then I met Rosa and all roads led to Rome when the world opened, so I put this trip on the backburner.  Next year, will be a very different focus in my life and business and so, this bucket list destination will be completed. ​

When I started this post, I really had nothing of note to say, since I returned from Botswana a short time ago. Being back at my little domicile was simply an opportunity to catch up on paperwork, work on client’s travels and rest a bit, knowing I had this last big trip of the year planned.  I was busy the past week, but everyday ordinary business and personal items. Sometimes it is good to get back to those things that ground you and for me, I sometime ago focused more on the simple things, enjoying life, my business and as much time as I can be with Rosa, even from thousands of kilometers away until we are together again in person. One last thing, and perhaps I mentioned it is a previous post, but when I am here in New England, I am a 6-hour time difference away. When I am in Vietnam and Cambodia, I will also be a 6-hour time difference away, but from the other side. I guess Rome is the center of the universe and at least for me it is.

As always, I look forward to your comments, questions, concerns and continuing the discourse through whichever means you read my posts. While the post about counting a country or not is still out there on Facebook somewhere, if you want to chime in that is great, I would love to hear back from you. I won’t be counting South Korea, as I will only be transiting, but who knows? Thank you as always for your support my crazy little world and business!!!