Dear Family and Friends

It’s Christmas season!  It feels like it arrived in a blink of an eye.  I remember writing about a Michigan blizzard causing chaos for Shana and her family’s journey to Marquette in 2022.  Last year’s Christmas, despite the absence of snow, was equally hectic.  After spending a few days with Scotti,  I flew from Chicago to Vermont on Christmas Eve to join Shana. Little did I know what awaited on Shana’s end. The entire family had flown back from Colorado to Philly on the 22nd. They packed their car on the 23^rd—with gifts, clothes, and their big dog Neve—and arrived in Vermont at 1 a.m.  They got up early on the 24^th, unpacked, grocery shopped, chopped down (you can’t buy a Christmas tree in Vermont) and decorated the tree and still managed to pick me up in Burlington by 4 p.m.  Imagine my surprise when, after all that, Shana had appetizers and a glass of bubbly for me.  I have no idea when she found the time, but it was a festive and delightful start to our Christmas celebrations.

Shana & Mike had another surprise up their sleeves.  After Christmas we headed to Quebec City for a three day stay at the Le Chateau Frontenac, a famous landmark and historic site.  We walked the cobblestone streets, enjoyed the many shops and ate at amazing restaurants in this old area. 

A few years ago I shared that Shana, Adam and other family members had chartered a Turkish gulet to sail in the Mediterranean Sea for a week.  They were planning a similar trip for 2024, and in June of 2022 as they started to make arrangements, I was asked whether I would like to join them; it would be an amazing time—perhaps a trip of a lifetime.  So in the excitement of the moment, I said ok, I’m in.  But if you know me, I’m the quintessential reluctant traveler.  I start with a lot of hand-wringing, worrying about what could go wrong, and telling anyone who’ll listen that I’m probably not doing.   But I end up boarding the plane, have an absolutely fabulous time, and can’t wait to share how incredible the trip was.  So that background sets the stage to what follows:   While still in the planning stage, Shana mentions that they would like to spend a week in Cyprus before boarding the boat.  They have Philly friends from Cyprus who would be there, too.  Want to come?  She would make all the arrangements.  Again, in the excitement, I said “ok; let’s do it.” 

Left alone with my thoughts (a dangerous pastime), I wondered: Where exactly is Cyprus? Is it hot? Is it safe? I learned it’s an island in the Mediterranean, south of Turkey and west of Syria, known as one of the safest places due to its low crime rate.  And hot?  You bet—102 most days.

Now, I had said I would go, but I was doing all the things to not go as the departure date drew close.  I think my family knew I was a flight risk because they were calling me with reassurances.  The hardest part?  Taking that first step.  I had to meet up with Shana and family the day after I flew to Boston.  Where will I stay? How will I get to the hotel?  I was out of practice. But as they say, I put on my big girl panties and did it.  Not only did I get to the hotel, but with a view of the Boston Harbor I had dinner by myself (the

lobster roll was amazing) and that’s when I noticed all the other single diners. Ahh, so this is how it’s done. Thank God I got on that plane.

To be continued . . . .