I am at that point in my life where the little darlings aren’t so little. Well, to be exact they are both adults in their own rights at 18 and 21. They are both taller than me, have seen more of the world than me and probably earn more than me too. This is all good and especially good for me. I have built-in house and cat sitters. They are fairly capable of feeding themselves and both have learned the art of pressing the ‘on’ button on the dishwasher and washing machine. My parenting is complete.
So with this new found freedom, I have found myself writing a bucket list of sorts. A ‘parent no longer having to actively parent what can they do with their lives’ kinda of a bucket list. I did the partying days way before they were born and relapsed again after a divorce so I don’t feel the need to chuck spirits down my throat and dance on tables. Evenings out for a meal etc are rather tame for a mid-life crisis so I have figured on traveling. So far I have been abroad twice, Spain and Mexico. Both short, brief and rather damp. Hardly the exotic life.
My ultimate dream would be to have a camper van, not too small, and travel. Actually, I may need a small Lottery win for this part as my back and joints would not be able to make a sofa into a bed and back again every night so it would need to be a decent size camper. I can work wherever I am as long as I can charge the laptop so that’s all good. But where to go?
The first choice is Grand Canyon, National Park. Yes, I know right over the other side of the world to me but hey it would be a pretty boring bucket list if I didn’t need a passport. But just the thought that is over one million acres and has rocks at the bottom over one billion years old is enough to drop my jaw. How awesome to see something that has taken millions of years and you get to see it for a few hours. Just blows my mind and the views would be pretty awesome too. Just imagine driving down that road.
Next on the list is Tuscany, and maybe slightly closer to home too so maybe more do-able. Actually putting my sensible head on I probably would keep to Europe destinations. I fell in love with Tuscany, from afar, when there was a perfume called Tuscany. I loved it and the colours the packaging came in….stay with me on this … and it was the first place I went to the library to learn about as good old Googling wasn’t around then. The greenness of it and tall thin trees are something I want to see with my own eyes. I mean just how beautful is that I can almost feel the warmth of the sun and a cold glass of wine in my hand already.
Next would be Sweden. Sweden to me and my limited knowledge is snow. And happiness seeing as the Swedes are apparently the happiest people ever. I want to find out what makes them so happy. Not saying I am not happy, I am very happy, but it’s always good to learn more about happiness and what makes other people tick. Besides, who couldn’t be happy walking home to this in the evening?
Next would be a trip to Denmark purely as they invented Hygge and the world needs more Hygge. Hygge, if you have been living off the planet for the last few years, is pronounced “hoo-ga,” and it is a Danish concept that cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. Think candles, hot chocolate, crackling fires, thick jumpers and socks, throws and hearts.
Lastly some warmth in Greece. If we all weren’t secretly in love with Greece Mamma Mia sealed it. There’s history with a tonne Gods and Lords to get your teeth into. Ruins too where you can gaze and wonder at the sheer work that went into before the world turned mechanical or technical. I want to eat evening meals in a courtyard around long tables, trailing vines and fairy lights. Dusty bare feet and floaty skirts. Good friends and an even better bottle or two with equally as good food.
So come on dish the dirt, whats on your list …after catching up on all that sleep?
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