I’m Peopled Out
A wise friend, reviewing his hike on a short portion of the Appalachian Trail, declared that he had underestimated the difficulty of the path and overestimated his physical endurance.
I recall Larry’s words often having spent 10 days in Chicago followed by two tours in Europe. Now just over halfway through the second tour, I realize that I underestimated the difficulty of group tours and overestimated my physical endurance. A bout of COVID and a toothache probably didn’t help.
My mother, as many readers know, loved a party. She wasn’t a drinker, but she enjoyed groups of people talking, laughing, playing games. I observed that as she aged, she continued to commit herself to social engagements. But during the event, she tired and became irritable. Traveling in our younger years, we often planned four or five experiences per day. Now we have breakfast, one outing, and dinner.
But we still want to do those five experiences. My mind and body just don’t endure. It is quite disappointing. I also need time to process what I have seen. So today, I opted out of the morning walk surrounded by 40 other people, wandering through town, another cathedral, another palace, and incessant narration provided by a quite knowledgeable guide. I am sitting in a lovely hotel room, doors open to let in the breeze coming across the pool. My brain is rebooting. My body is relaxing. Soon I will leave to find an espresso. Then, ready or not, it will be time to board the bus.