Turkish/Greek odyssey. D-Day minus one

This is my first attempt at a blog, or maybe better labeled a journal. I've never been particularly disciplined at writing on a regular basis. That's not true. I write every day in my consluting practice. But writing of my experiences has always taken a back seat to business writing.

My husband Jan and I are embarking tomorrow on the biggest trip we have ever taken together. We are going to Turkey and Greece for three weeks. As a colleague of mine (Hey Roger!) so aptly asked, "they make three week vacations?" Well -- they do now. It's a first for us.

There are a lot of firsts on this trip. Neither of us has ever been to Europe, let alone to these specific countries. And I have never been anywhere where I couldn't communicate in the local language. So this is an adventure. And we want to share the adventure. Hence the start of this journal. 

We are going on this trip with our dear friends Jim and Pat Keller. Jan and Jim have known each other since 1968. They are like brothers. All  the embarassing parts of being brothers. They fart at each other and giggle. That's what we're in for. 12 year old boy humor from old farts. 

Jan and I leave tomorrow and arrive on Monday. (The Kellers arrive on Tuesday.) We leave here at about dinner time, and arrive there about dinner time the next day. (Must eat a lot of fruit!) It is eight hours earlier in Istanbul than here in St. Paul. That kind of jet lag is new to me as well. (I've traveled a lot in South America and the Caribbean. But you don't really change time zones for those trips.)

On the eve of our trip, we are still only part way thorugh our to-do list. I am washing clothes, organizing all our electronic trip details and corresponding with people who helped us plan. Jan is watching the 12th inning of the Twins game. I weeded the garden today. I still have to clean house and water all the plants. Jan thinks I am crazy. He asked me if I wanted to paint the kitchen as well before we leave. I considered saying yes, but then decided against it. I can't decide what color to choose.

Jan did a lot of work today too. He is just more focused than I am -- strictly focusing on the trip itself and on what needs to happen today. I want everything to be clean and orderly when we get home tired and jetlagged.  This is our dance. 

As a prelude to our vacation, we went to the Art in Bloom exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art today. It is the most beautiful, whimsical and uplifting event. People do floral arrangements inspired by works of art in the museum -- and then exhibit them next to the source of inspiration. Some are lovely, some are silly and all are wonderful.  

[caption id="attachment_4" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Jan and I in front of the Minneapolis Institute of Art"][/caption]

It is way too late. I must go move the laundry and then get some sleep. But I look forward to continuing the story, and hope that you will follow along. And add comments too!