Today many moons after this idea was first conceived i finally departed on my big travel adventure, it still doesn’t feel real that this my life now. That i have left my little home town for an unknown period of time and all the people that i love in it. Yesterday when i was packing up the last of my things it still didn’t seem possible. This morning when it was done and i was busily saying my goodbyes and crying it still didn’t seem possible. I’m constantly pinching myself to check that this is real, and is totally possible. It’s happening and i made it so.
It’s happening at it’s own pace, all the trains were late but i got to where i needed to be as i had allowed enough time to do it comfortably. The Eurostar flowed so quickly i didn’t even get time for a snooze, i was pooped as soon as i sat down. All the emotions and energy that had been coursing through my body for the past few days seemed to come to the fore and tire me out. So i just sat back and soaked it all in.
A superbly bright and sunny London waved me goodbye and i said hello to the stunning Kent countryside. Before i knew it i was disembarking at Brussels for my leisurely turnaround. I had enough time for a postcard hunt and a “chocolat chaud” to get them written and ready for their unwitting recipients!
I had forgotten that i had booked myself 1st class tickets so it was a pleasant surprise to find myself with lots of space for my ridiculously big and heavy (!!!) luggage. I don’t think there is going to be any need for gym for the foreseeable future if i am lugging those bags around with me. So no need to worry that the TRX didn’t make it! I passed signs for all sorts of familiar places on the way, i couldn’t help but smile at the option of a trip to Bochum… I
Tiredness passed and made way for wonder as i arrived into Cologne, 20 mins late surprising for the usually organised and punctual German trains. Nothing beats the buzz of arriving in a city for the first time and taking in all the sights and sounds. The beautifully ornate cathedral front was the first thing i saw to my left and the sanctuary of the taxi rank to the right. Then a luminous I <3 Cologne sign lit up my path as i walked between the two! The magic of fresh eyes on those sights for the first time will never be lost on me.
I had perfect directions of where i needed to head to grab a cab to get to my host’s beautiful apartment. It’s in a stunning old building with high ceilings, sadly on the second floor so my ridiculously heavy bags had to be lugged up one by one! The apartment is fresh, clean and homely and has it’s own gorgeous white cat that has been busy inspecting my bags and sussing me out. The area is bustling with energy with people drinking at the bar on the corner, there is a great energy on the street. I am revitalised after a quick snack at a local eatery, it was late so no fancy food for me. A fabulous recommendation from Claudia my host.
We both just claimed we had work to do and sat down at our Macs and then proceeded to get drawn into a big old chatter about life, love, travel, work, mindfulness, choice, philosophy, family, cars, dancing, baking, singing, performing, all sorts! This is why i love Airbnb, I wouldn’t have got that in a chain hotel! I am now armed with a raft of recommendations of where to go tomorrow including a traditional German cake shop and wait for it… a chocolate museum. So the adventure really has begun. My first full day as a roving cake lady and my prep is complete, 80 cakes continues with earnest tomorrow!
Much love people, this feeder is shattered and has some zzzzzzs to catch!
x x x
