The Absent Uncle: Anticipation
The dedcades-old Carly Simon song “Anticipation” is the song running across our minds this week. We leave on Sunday on a flight to Amsterdam as a segue to a river cruise on the Danube from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary the following week. While the song may be about a relationship, as you get older those relationship stories translate and become about events. And this is an event!
This trip has been almost a year and a half in the planning and committing to dates, the times, and destinations. The river cruise is being shared with three other couples, fellows I graduated with from high school and their wives. The couples each have joined us in Cabo San Lucas over the past couple of years, so we have a bit of recent travel history together after our almost 60-year life separation. I find it remarkable to have been able to get this trip on the calendar, and now it is just a few days away from actually doing it!
We are flying to Amsterdam to have some time after the trans-Atlantic flight to recover from jet lag and see a bit of the city. Our son surprised us on Father’s Day with a gift of joining us in Amsterdam (on his dime!) and driving us to our debarkation point in Vilshofen, Germany. And, it allows us to enjoy time with him and a drive through the countryside versus a train ride with limited time and a bit of stress about connections.
So “Anticipation” plays on in our heads. Neither Sherrill nor I are looking forward to the transit time from Houston to Amsterdam. Per our flight reservations, it is over a 24-hour elapsed time from leaving for the airport until arrival at the hotel (and no early hotel check-in guaranteed).
Our only other trans-Atlantic flight (some 12 years ago) was very difficult and looms large in both of our memories. I am trying to recall and reflex some of my old muscle memory “be flexible while in travel” mantras – but “Anticipation” keeps playing away.
In any case – the trip is on – whatever happens – well – it just happens. Reservations, misunderstandings, language barriers, cost, and now the low water levels on the Danube! All seemingly out of our control – but like the song repeats – we are doing it together – and it will be just fine. Listen to song, travel along, as anticipation just carries you away.
