Final Preparations for France

Posted on | June 27, 2008 |

I can’t believe it’s almost here! Monday we leave for France! I’ve had a mixture of feelings about this trip - anxiety about being in a strange country and with limited knowledge of the language; excitement at the idea of seeing France; trepidation about the flight, since I don’t know how it will affect my balance and my health. But, above all this I am looking forward to time alone with my husband. Yes, we will see friends and colleagues, since Dave is presenting his research during our visit, but much of our time will be spent in the romance of France.

Yesterday I spent the morning with Angie since I won’t see her for a while. She came over and worked on some beading while Max sat in the den and watched the Cartoon network. Max is now obsessed with arm wrestling, and tries really hard when we arm wrestle. I promised him that when I get back we’ll have a rematch!

After Angie left, I decided it was time to start organizing all my “stuff” for the trip. I packed most of the carry-on, making sure I had my quart-sized baggie with all tiny bottles that will fit in it. I packed a few small cases filled with the essentials for the flight. FIrst is an audio case for my audio adapter for the Baha and my iPod. I’m using my Palm Centro as an ebook reader, so I have plenty to read and no bulky books or magazines. I also packed some comfort stuff: special protein bars, tissues, some mints,  including all my medications in their original bottles (to prove I have prescriptions for them). I also had to make sure that I had a way of expressing my allergies to the chefs in France - they love their dairy and poultry there, and I’m severely allergic to both, among other things. So, I found a company online, Allergy Translation, that creates custom cards for you to carry in English and the language of your choice! I did this a few weeks ago, since I didn’t know how quickly the process would work. Well, it’s almost immediate! So, I printed out a bunch of cards (this way I won’t panic when I don’t get one back from the kitchen!) and laminated them and put them in my travel wallet. I also made sure that my MedicAlert account was up to date with all my medications and allergies. I’ll be wearing my MedicAlert bracelet on the trip, so if there is an emergency, there will be an easy way to get information.

All that’s really left is for me to pick up some soy protein packs and to finish packing, and to wait for Monday! My art supplies are packed in my day pack, along with my folding cane. I bought some hook and loop tape to make sure that my basket stays on my walker, and it appears to be working. I’ll test it today by adding something to the basket to see whether it holds. And, have the list of things I still need to add and later today, I’ll pack my clothes.

Once I got the carry-on all figured out, I decided to turn my attention to my small travel journal for the trip. It’s a green square handbook journal. The cover is made of canvas board, and the size is great. But it needed something to make it “mine”. I looked at my pile of collage crap somewhat organized ephemera and I found text about France, in French, maps of France, and some travel stickers. I had been hoarding saving these things for a special project (no, there was no particular project in mind when I came across these things!).

Well, there isn’t anything more special than our trip to France! So, I began by pasting in the map of France. Then I added some quad paper for some tables (what I did today, travel itinerary, etc.) and to add whatever I wanted to those pages. Then I added some ink to age the pages. It was the last thing I did before turning in for the evening. I was feeling excited, but I knew that there was something missing. The colors were too dull for all the energy I feel about this trip. So, this morning, I added some warm colors - yellows, oranges, reds. Now it looks a lot more like me! It’s all ready for the trip!

I’ll try to post more before I leave, but while I’m gone, my CreativeTherapy Catalyst responses will publish! Have an awesome weekend!

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