Posts
Today is November 2, 2008. This is the first of what I suspect will become many posts to this blog as I am soon embarking on yet another extended business trip. 16 cities in 4 weeks stretching from Calgary, Alberta to as far east as Berlin, Germany and as far south as Madrid, Spain.
I learned several years ago how disruptive being away from my family is. It is like disappearing from existence, much like when a toy is hidden from a baby - they are not yet aware that the toy is just out of sight and can come back; for them it no longer exists. While my kids knew I still existed, they had no idea where I was. My destinations had no place in their minds; they were meaningless. So I did try to create meaning in the places I visited, primarily by bringing home small gifts germain to the places I had been. This really helped, I must say and it bred in them an interest in travelling - as a family we all conquered the airports, train stations and metros of the UK, France and Germany in 2006 in a trip that I will never forget.
So. Here I go again. My shaving kit occupies a place on the corner of the bathroom vanity in a conspicuous state of readiness. I have been trying to figure out how I am going to reduce the distance between us as I am away. Sarah had the brilliant idea of a travel blog. And indeed it is a terrific idea for family and friends to keep track of the goings on. The adventure kicks off with a Rugby Junket to Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, preceded by a stop to sample the pints of Ebbw Vale with Arthur, King of the Britons and followed by a stay with Wyn in the Savile Club of Mayfair, London. I hope to stay in Darwin's room - though I am sure it has changed a lot since he stayed there (I hope even more that someone gets this evolution joke, rather than staring blankly at me).
You should be able to post comments to each entry. I will also open a Picassa photo album from which that I can upload pics along the way. Thats all for now. The trip kicks off on Nov 12.
TTFN.
John et al.
"Bit of a trotter, bit of a rotter!"
