I returned late last night from a long weekend at Eastern Point Retreat House in Glouchester, MA, at the very southern tip of Cape Ann, which is an hour north of Boston. It really is like being at the edge of the world there, and was just the place and space I needed to visit for some quiet time and reflection before the big trip. I was lucky enough to see the most gorgeous sunset ever when I arrived on Friday, as well as experience the intense fury of the ocean during a winter storm as I prepared to leave yesterday morning. The grounds and surrounding area are simply spectacular. This is my favorite shot, read the caption to see why.

The ride up on Friday was awesome — no traffic, four hours listening to my favorite tunes while enjoying the scenery. The weekend Nor’easter made the return trip a bit more challenging — it took almost seven hours, traveling at 35-40 miles an hour for much of it. Let’s just say I won’t miss driving for the next few months!

But it was all completely worth it — to be able to spend time in reflection and silence at such an amazing place. I am especially grateful to my brother Mike who told me about this unique Jesuit retreat experience, and to the small community of fellow Jesuit alums I met this weekend. I’m also very thankful for my safe return to New York — it was absolutely frightening for a bit — but the strength and insight I gathered on the retreat helped to keep me calm and peaceful as I traveled. It’s a feeling I hope to carry with me as I board the plane to Portugal on Wed., and for the duration of my journey…this one, and many others to follow.

I consider myself tech-savvy, especially when it comes to the web, and I admit to having a slight addiction to connectivity. An Intro to the Digital Age class I took at Johns Hopkins in the summer of 2003 taught me all about blogs, RSS and such, and since then I’ve enjoyed experimenting with these technologies that allow a communications nut like me to stay in contact with folks/news/data all the time.

The web has also opened tremendous doors for me in the past two years — I’ve made incredible new friends and business contacts, and I’ve been able to follow my travel passions and dreams in ways I couldn’t have imagined. My iBook has been my sidekick through it all, searching out free wifi spots up and down the east coast with me, helping me stay online much of the time.

But I had to make some tough decisions when preparing for this extended trip, and my trusty iBook did not make the cut. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t justify hauling it around for five months on a trip that is supposed to be about being in the moment, meeting people and experiencing the thrill of semi-unplanned travel. Interestingly enough, my laptop battery died this week, a sure sign that I’ve made the right decision to leave it at home — the poor thing is tired, worn out and not up for a long lug around Europe.

I know I’ll be staying at some hostels with free wifi where I may really miss not having my iBook around, but my back is excited about the lighter weight of my pack, and I’m convinced my travel experiences will be richer by leaving it behind.
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It’s the home stretch now…in a week’s time I’ll be there. Unbelievable! But in the meantime, I’ve got to get rid of the nasty winter bug I’ve caught, while still managing the list of things that need to be done. I knew this cold would catch up with me eventually, everyone’s dragging around with something these days..and I’ve been on a grand tour of NY/NJ the past two weeks, visiting family and friends all over the place, and it seems that everyone has a sniffle or sore throat.

But it has been so fun — I went to see both my godparents and visited my two godchildren. (That’s me with absolutely adorable Abigail!) I spent one morning at a school for kids with special needs where my cousin works and also visited my mom’s third grade class one afternoon, where I talked to the sudents about my friends who are living in China. There was a Super Bowl shin-dig with the girls, and a few other enjoyable get-togethers with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. I keep saying to everyone that I feel time will fly very fast. I think these five months will go by quick…

Today, while nursing myself on lots of liquids and soup, I’ll put the hard-core planning on hold and take it easy with some pre-trip pampering: a long-overdue haircut & a pedicure too — a treat for my toes before the five months of intense walking, hiking and backpacking that lie ahead.

John Flinn wrote a great article in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle about purchasing and packing gear for a trip:

As individuals, and as a society…we rely too much on gizmos to keep us safe. True security comes from the things we do, and don’t do.

His piece comes right on time for me, as I wrap up my final gear purchases and move to the more challenging task of reviewing what is absolutely necessary and deciding what should be returned?! I don’t think I’ve gone overboard, but even things like the hostel sheet and soap holder need to be scrutinized one last time…do I REALLY need them? Flinn mentions Magellan’s, where I just finished spending a $50 gift certificate given to me a few months back. It was a lot harder to use than I thought, especially because they do have a lot of these “bells & whistles” products that just didn’t appeal to me. I’m going very low-tech on this trip, so I wasn’t attracted to many of their security-enabled items. I did consider the socks with the zipper compartment, but then decided they were unneccessary — I’ve got a money belt, travel smarts and a simple plan to making sure my valuables are safely stored at all times. So, I used the gift certificate to buy a small travel wallet, some mesh packing pockets and a tiny travel umbrella. When those items arrive this week, I’ll do the final dress rehearsal. If the bag is too heavy, I’ll repack it again and again till it feels comfortable and secure. My biggest fear is bringing too much of the wrong stuff. I’m sure I’ll make one or two miscalcuations along the way (I’ll bring too many socks and not enough underwear!) but here’s hoping I don’t make any major gear goof-ups.

We’ve had more spring-like weather here in New York the last few days, while over in Lisbon and other parts of central and southern Portugal, it’s been snowing for the first time in 50 years! I’m still hopeful there will be a turn towards slightly milder temps — and it is back in the 50’s there today, which is a good sign. Of course, more historic snowfall would make the journey quite memorable, I’m sure, but it’s not the ideal scenario this warm weather gal is wishing for. Whatever happens though, I’ll make the best of it.

I’ve spent the morning at the Humanities Research Branch of the NYPL on 42nd and 5th Ave., next to Bryant Park. I just finished taking a one hour tour of the place, then signed up for an Access Card so I could use the internet free for 30 minutes in the Grand Hall. I’m sticking around to see the renovated Map Division that opens at 1pm. All the travel guidebooks are in there so I thought I’d check it out before heading to Port Authority to catch my bus back to Rockland. I also toured the Treasured Maps exhibit and learned some interesting facts about a place I’ve visited several times as a child, but I probably have not been here in ten years. Did you know that the famous lions out front are named Patience and Fortitude? LaGuardia named them during the Great Depression, claiming that these were the two characteristics New Yorkers needed most to survive the hardships of the time.

I came into the city last night and had a wonderful dinner at Agave with two dear pals. Awesome conversation, a chance to introduce new friends, and the best margaritas I’ve tasted in quite some time!

Okay, I’ve got eight minutes remaining online…off to check email one more time and then roam around a bit more.

It hit me on Tuesday night — holy cow I’m really doing this!

So….two weeks from today I will arrive in Lisbon, Portugal and make my way from the airport to my very first hostel. Wow. Wow. Wow.

Yesterday was a jam-packed roller coaster day with more gear shopping at Campmor, a walk with Dad, phone chats and making plans to see cousins before I go, even a few tears, followed by evening drinks with a travel pal. Whirlwind. I expect more of the same the next week or so…There is lots to accomplish, but I don’t intend on getting stressed or overwhelemed by it. I’m doing my best to remain calm and move slowly through it all. I’ve got great fam and friends that make it so easy to enjoy what’s going on right now, today. Two weeks from today will eventually come and I’ll enjoy that moment when it arrives. But till then, I’m savoring the Now more than the Wow.

In a few hours I’m heading to Manhattan for one final visit, then I’ll spend this last free weekend with family and friends, juggling some spurts of itinerary planning in between as time allows. I feel pretty good about my plans so far. The rest will sort itself out as I go…