Prague 2008

I have been traveling for the past 7 years and I don’t think I have ever experienced quite the feeling I did leaving JFK headed to Frankfurt (enrote to the Czech Republic) on a 747. We all have our “outlets” some of course better than others, but the sense of complete freedom and quest for new adventure was unlike any feeling I have probably ever had and definitely a new found outlet for me. Traveling to me is very habitual. At any give time I can pack up my bag in a matter of minutes put my ID on and be headed out to the airport to pretty much go anywhere in a minutes notice. So to find a new found fondness in travel was exceptional. Obviously I am just in need to expand my horizons and venture outside my norm…Something most of us probably need to do more than we realize.

How many times do you feel completely care-free, worry-free and so absolutely eager to do something completely out of your comfort zone ? For me the feeling is all too very rare. I feel as I do challenge myself quite a bit with new things but to infrequently feel entirely out of what I call my “normal routine“ . I guess that what Prague was all about for me. Sure the city was amazing , but the essence of my travel on this trip was freedom and independence. I found it there in Prague.

Planning the trip to Prague was almost a no-brainer. Hannah and I found a deal that we couldn’t turn down and knew we could both get the time off so really there was no question as to if we should go. Seeming odd to many, Hannah and I hadn’t seen each other in months so we pretty much planned to “plan” our week while we were on the plane headed across the pond. I think when the airplane took off we could really care less of any type of plan we were too hyped up on the feeling of leaving everything behind., The flight over was one of the best parts. Leaving work, problems, worries, and insecurities all 4,000 miles away was such a rush. Watching the computer on the airplane track your progress over Greenland, the Atlantic ..England and into Germany was amazing. I suddenly felt this perception of my world being incredibly small. I had this huge sense of adventure and couldn’t wait to explore and learn about something new. Everyone has probably heard the old cliché “Its not the destination it’s the journey” (or something like thereof) and looking back so much of that is true. My best moments on this trip were not arriving at the Prague Castle, Astronomical Clock or seeing Wenslaces Square it was the journey to them. Walking the streets stumbling across a bakery that would make you drool, walking in a church built in the 15 Century that its beauty would bring you to tears or talking with the local women about where to find the best “American Men” (hence we told her as soon as we found them we would let them know…) The whole trip was full of spontaneous decisions, small victories (the golf ball keychain/door) and spectacular revelations.

Who would have thought I could start 2008 off so well. With one European girls trip under my belt I would soon find that I would take on Europe a few more times before the year end. Prague was amazing and I can only hope someday when I have fulfilled many of my travel desires I will find myself strolling along the Charles Bridge admiring aged statues and sharing it again with someone very special to me.

Prague was about leaving my comfort zone and entering a new exciting phase in my life. Travel, Independence and Astonishing Confidence that I can make my world whatever I like.

As for 2008 - I’m starting to live the life I’ve always dreamed… In the present, longing only for this very moment and cherishing my COUNTLESS blessings.