Up Up and Away

I did it. Got on the plane, left certainty and monotony in my wake, and set forth into the great unknown. Admittedly, this part wasn't hard. I've done most of this before - moved to the other side of the world, sacrificed the things I had for the things I really wanted. What's different this time is that I'm breaking the mold I've so carefully constructed for myself. I am no longer a marketing executive, I no longer earn a salary, I no longer have a career to energize or focus me. What happens from here on out is on me, for better or worse.

Walter flew from Canada and I from the US, meeting in Turkey to spend a few weeks exploring before heading to Cape Town for 3 months. I had an 8 hour layover in Copenhagen, which seemed worth it when I booked a business class ticket using miles, but was, predictably, a slog. I took the metro into town and dove into a rainy but beautiful city. It was 7am on a Saturday morning when I crested the metro stairs and there was no one around but a few stray drunks looking for brunch after an all-nighter. I walked on. The heavens really opened up and I regretted packing my umbrella in my checked baggage. But I also remembered a favorite saying of a good Dutch friend of mine when I complain about rain. "You are not made of soap." True enough.

At first I walked to see the city but soon walked simply to stay awake. Walk, see palace, snap photo, coffee, walk. Walk, see park, coffee, snap photo, walk. I logged 25,000 steps before throwing in the towel and heading back to the airport to board my flight to Istanbul. I did the majestic city of Copenhagen little justice but did enjoy the lovely harbor of Nyhavn and the Rosenborg Castle.

I finally landed in Istanbul after a nearly 24 hour journey and when I got my bags and made my way outside my heart almost burst. There was Walter. I'd missed him so much. And this was the beginning of our grand adventure. Day 1. Of hopefully many, many days.