I woke up this morning and it had not hit me that I would soon be on my way across the world. Why Croatia? I didn't truly even know where Croatia was on the map. When selecting my destination for my international trip this year, I just went with others suggestions. During my trip to Italy, many travelers I met told me they were headed to Croatia next. At that time, I was headed to Spain so made a mental bucket list note to add that to my list.
This morning I woke up, continued dilly dallying around until I glanced at the clock. It was an hour before my ride to the airport would arrive and I had nothing packed but two five hour energy drinks, a bathing suit and goldfish- the bare essentials. I started throwing clothes in my bag. Maybe I delay packing to prohibit myself from overpacking things I don't need. I know from previous trips, I'm the one carrying around my backpack city to city so I've learned to pack light.
Stephanie came over for lunch and then she dropped me off at the airport. I checked into my flight, had a pre-Croatia Cocktail at the bar while waiting to board my flight to my first layover in Chicago. Once I boarded my flight, I knew that I would be just fine. I sat next two men on my flight, Min and Jerry. They are from San Diego and immediately had me laughing in no time. We talked throughout the flight, discussing bars in San Diego, his trip to my home state and how any sport with a ball involved is truly stupid. I agreed with him on all contact sports excluding golf. Min went on to tell me he cannot afford to play golf because he loses so many balls. He said he wants to go to the driving range, buy a bucket of balls and then walk back to the parking lot and drive away. That way he can replenish all the balls he loses in the water. Min and Jerry asked if I was going to Chicago and I shook my head no. Their jaws dropped when I told them Croatia and then dropped again when I told them backpacking alone. It always surprises me when people say they don't know how I could Backpack solo. I cannot wait to get lost in Croatia and make up my agenda as I go. By the end of the flight, I felt like I had known Min and Jerry for ages. This is when it struck me that I am ready for this trip. I'm ready to remove myself from work. I'm ready to unexpectedly relate to someone and for them to provide me with a new perspective. I'm eager to explore and have no timeline, no agenda, no conference call obligation. So, I just landed in Chicago and have fourteen more hours to go until I reach my first destination, Dubrovnik.