AHHHHHHHHH!

I am leaving on a jet plane at 9:12am tomorrow morning!  Chamonix bound wearing chacos and red nail polish.  All "protective gear" packed and ready for the adventures ahead.

No matter what these next few weeks bring I have had the most fun planning and dreaming with my closest girl friends and family.  All the words of wisdom and essential unessentials I have received have left me more prepared to take this journey...and more loved than ever.

Some words of inspiration that I hope work for you too:

"First and foremost, have fun on this adventure in your life.  Next, please be careful while on this fabulous journey.  Listen to your intuition.  Remember, if you shall meet a special someone while  there, that traveling is hard for me so he will have to come to Nashville to meet, greet and marry.  Seriously,  you will be amazed at what you uncover about yourself on this path that God has planned for you so be open and hold yourself in loving kindness always.  Ok...enough already!  Have the time of your LIFE!!"
-a second mother

"You deserve to be pursued, go receive the affections of an Italian man. And ride a vespa with one!"
-good ole man friend

"Bone a french man."
-insightful Ex-boyfriend

Today I got one more counseling sesh in to ground myself before flying the friendly skies.  Thank you wise mentor for reminding me that beyond consumption of gelato what I want is to have an experience of surprise, adventure, confidence and self trust.  

Here we go!  Can't wati to share this with you all!!

So much love!
Buona notte signorinas

uptowngirl

You say condoms, she says taser...I say vibrator

I cherish having friends and family that come from different backgrounds and ways of life.  It helps during moments of trial and tribulations to have a variety of folks to call on for support.  Even if I inadvertently call on those who will give me the answer I want regarding the issue at hand.  Traveling to Italy seems to be similar to any life changing event (weddings, babies, etc)- people have their opinions and want to share them...lovingly, of course.  So that brings me to my current delimma.  Do I take the condoms or the taser?  My hope was that when my sister told me she wanted to give me something for my trip that it would be something pretty.  A "Lipstick Stun-Gun" was totally unexpected yet appropriate coming from my protective big sis. There is a lot of love in that taser.  However I am the type who would do better with the protection and preparedness of a travel size vibrator at this point. Not that I have an aversion to physical expression of love, I just like there to be some true emotion and lower risk of getting an international STD. Despite suggestions from savvy world travelers I still say that I will not be kissing any men abroad. So unless a condom or electroshock can protect me from carb overload I think I will be safe without either. Then again my mantra is to stay present and open to what life offers..."that which feels good to your soul is always the right answer". 

 

Travel update-

The travel agent has responded to my letter with a slightly unprofessional email or two and threat of collectors. But I remain comfortable with where I stand on the issue and will let it rest until further notice (of being served).

In a moment of inspiration last week I changed my Florence travels to another farm stay.  This time in Siena Tuscany just outside of the walled city San Gimignano.  I chose this city because I love saying it and can't do so without expressive hand gestures.  Actually I can't say much Italian without hand gestures which is a problem when I practice Italian while riding my bike to yoga. 

 

Days til take off: 6

 

-For those keeping tabs,

Kissing sesh: 0 for 0 

 

Buona Notte,

uptowngirl

The carb count continues

It's been two days and it feels like 2 weeks of travel agency correspondence and deliberation.  I've done everything from spend hours perseverating over it with friends while consuming carbs and wine, to researching other agency websites (via a savvy friend),  to emailing a consumer advocate for advice, etc etc.  And it has come to this-  Writing a letter to the agency with the assistance of my wise mother and said savvy friend.  It is my belief that the gelato consumed pre-letter composing ensured a profound correspondence. There was magic in the moment as we (read: they) composed a letter stating the facts and only the facts.  For good measure I stamped with a "Justice" stamp. Signed, sealed, delivered, check enclosed for service fee, namaste. Moving on...to France and Italy 2012!  After all this drama I am decidedly open to accepting the affections of Italian men and gelato equally.  It just seems like the right thing to do. Watching "Under The Tuscan Sun" tonight made it obvious. 

Speaking of namaste...you know that climbing/yoga fella I was dating a while back?  Did you know that once during our dating time I made a kind gesture of inviting him to my weekly yoga class? True story.  This yoga class is my sacred space where I fill up after a long week with a bff and her hubby at my side while our A-mazing instructor leads us into sweaty vinyasa bliss. Last Sunday was the first Sunday after the break-up that he has not attended the class. Seriously. Talk about being present and not allowing the disruptive and often narcissistic environment around you to disturb your inner yoga flow. Interesting how his presence actually doesn't throw me off but when a new handsome male attends class I can't balance in tree pose for the life of me. Every time I am in downward dog I sneak a peek. That's the kind of distraction I welcome in my sanctuary. Om Shanti. Namaste.

Shout out- to my savvy friend, mother, and guides that supported me through the travel agent lesson.  The yoga retreat leader says there is always a learning experience right before a retreat begins.  Lesson learned- Wait. Waaaait. Do not react immediately, get the facts and stand up for what feels true for you. Planning to practice during my travels abroad, especially when it comes to men, food and Italian leather goods.

Much love,

uptowngirl

Shitters-

I started my trip countdown with my first blog post in a super long time.  I have been meaning to send it but flight reservations and sleepless nights of thinking what to pack have made me slow.  Today, I learned that this adventure will start similarly to my match dating adventure:  ie- I once again unitentionally spent 800+ dollars.  This time it was on airfare.  That's right folks, I now have 2 roundtrip flight tickets for my France-Italy trip.  Unfortunately they are both in my name and for the same dates.  Shit, I say.  Then I remember we are all spiritual beings having a human experience and if this is my growth opportunity for the month of August, so be it.  But still, shit.  Seriously?

 

Here is how I meant this communication to commence:

 

Finding the love...
...One, eh make that 100, carbs at a time.

Caio bellas!  This single gal is Italia bound but not before she does a little yoga retreating in the French Alps for good measure.

Currently my heart sits in that sweet post-breakup spot where it is not yet longing and/or lusting for another man.  A perfect time to travel!

Italy has been written on my desire list for the past 3 years.  Every new year "travel to Italy" is on the list again right alongside “meet LPP”.  My excuse for delaying a trip was either timing, money or relationships.  First I wanted to be single in Italy so I could be free to accept the affection of an Italian man.  Then I decided that I didn’t have to be single to enjoy Italy.  Now that my ticket (correction- 2 tickets) has been purchased I am decidedly content to travel single and without the affections of an Italian.  In fact I am more excited to have a love affair with the food and wine.  Mostly I am planning to do the Eat part of Eat, Pray Love.

My journey abroad will begin late August when I land in Chamonix France to assist with a 9 day yoga retreat.  By yoga retreat I mean starting the day with relaxing blissful yoga followed by breakfast in the chalet prepared by our british love-bear of a host.  Followed by a daily adventure such as glacier hiking, white water rafting, rock climbing, chocolate eating or spending the day at an Italian spa.  Dinners will be prepared by our authentic Indian chef or 4 course preparing vegetarian chef. 

So that’s the first course.  Then a long train ride will take me through Milano to the town of Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre Italy.  I am jealous of myself (less now that I spent 800+ uncessary buck-a-roos).  But in all seriousness I am nervous-excited for this trip.  Like dating a man I fear my expectations will not be met.  I will be traveling solo in Italy so really the pressure is only on me.  At least in this relationship I have control over how I react and experience myself- when I remember that truth.  A truth I realize now after typing it that must exist while in relationship with any person, place or event.  I always have control over myself.

Hmmmm...I am beginning to think this trip might have more to do with self growth beyond what I prepared initally.

The count down begins. 

Goal 1: sleep through the night with out fretting about what to pack
Goal 2: stay single just in case I decide that I do in fact want to accept Italian affections

Goal 3: try not to by another flight for the same trip before I leave
Fondly,

up town girl