[6.7.22 Newsletter] A Journal Entry from the Sky
This newsletter was sent in June, 2022, but written on May 16th, 2022. It has been minorly edited to fix my bad grammar, but is otherwise left untouched. At the time of this letter, I was returning from a month long trip in Europe with my ex-boyfriend. We had visited Switzerland, Italy, and Greece, and were returning to the US and moving out to Colorado. In this newsletter I had expressed concerns about getting an in-person job and those concerns ended up being true. Many things have changed since this was written: I am no longer living in Broomfield, dating Cosmo, or working an in-person job. I won’t go into detail about any of those things at this time (I’ll post that newsletter soon), but I will say that I am very grateful with where I am at right now. Despite these changes, I wanted to share this newsletter as it expresses my genuine thoughts and feelings at that time.
May 16, 2022
Our trip is officially coming to an end. I am currently on a plane headed from Athens to New York, where we will catch another. Cosmo is sprawled out on the three seats next to me because we got a whole row to ourselves. This flight is 11 hours in total; we've got about three hours left. I've filled this time quite easily. I've read 8 chapters of The 4- Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, a great book that makes you re-evaluate your time and makes your brain buzz with ideas. I've also eaten some below-average pasta, but delicious chocolate ice cream. Cosmo and I also drew some random things on my iPad.
Alongside my reading, I've also done a lot of thinking. About art ideas, what I want to do for work, how I want to develop this page, if at all, and Colorado. I had multiple interviews while overseas and despite the thrill I had following them, I'm struggling to accept an offer. The thought of going back to an in-person job with set hours and lack of creativity depresses me. I know that I'd settle in and get focused just fine, but I also feel like I'd lose a lot of myself. That is too poetic for my true feelings, but something like that. Wearing nice business attire on the weekdays and trying to travel in my free time sounds like two different lives. I'm not saying that I won't settle down, I'm just talking through my thoughts right now.
Despite the employment path that I take, I want to continue my recent focus on travel and art. Ideally, I'll be able to continue taking trips and exploring on the weekends. The van is coming with me, so weekend camping trips would be a breeze. I'm excited to create more art when I'm stationary as well. Traveling means working with less supplies, and a smaller size, so big watercolors are calling my name. I did a large watercolor of the Grand Canyon when I was home for the holidays so I'm thinking more of that size and style. Maybe I'll open commissions up again, but ensure that I stay aligned with what I truly want to create.
And I'll have my sewing machine back! Its been sitting in a closet while I've been in my van, and I'm excited to dust it off. Between thrifting and visiting a Rework store, I’m inspired to sew some of my own pieces. I'll share these creations as I go, so I hope you're okay with the transition from just travel, to travel-inspired art as well. If not, there’s your warning.
Now you know a few of my thoughts on what’s ahead, but I imagine you’re here for more travel stories, so let me fill you in on that. My last newsletter was about Italy, and I've traveled to a whole other country after that. We flew from Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece on May 11th. Instead of going into Athens right away, we spent the first two nights in Artemis, which is the opposite direction from the airport. We stayed at some very nice bungalows. They were modern, had a pool, and nice owners. We rented a Tuk Tuk from them in order to get to the restaurants and explore further. It was a fun way to get around.
Our time at the bungalows was short but relaxing. We ate good food, drove around and sat by the pool. Our next destination was the island of Mykonos. Our bungalow host drove us to the port, then we embarked on a four hour ferry ride. In Mykonos we stayed at a wonderful family-owned hotel. Throughout our 5 nights there, we got to know the small staff very well. They had breakfast ready for us in the mornings which encouraged us to get out of bed early each day. They gave us recommendations and great conversations the whole week. We opted to rent a car in Mykonos, which changed our entire travel experience. We were able to go off the beaten path easier and see all of the island. We ate at a few middle-of-nowhere restaurants and found some empty beaches. After Mykonos, we took the ferry back to Athens, where we spent the rest of our trip. We did the basic tourist things, but made sure to spend time at the quieter areas as well. Ultimately, I loved Athens too. Our hotel was super nice and had a rooftop balcony looking out over the city. A meal view that I'll be missing.
I'm cutting off this brain dump now. It was kind of all over the place, but just know that our trip was really amazing, I'm excited land nervous) for the future, and travel will remain a priority in some fashion.
Actually I am back - a day later I am writing from a plane once again. We missed or correcting Alight from New York to Detroit so our trip back was extended. After a lot of charges, and a night in a hotel-we are finally on or night to Detroit. Hoping all goes well the rest of the way…
