Vickie's Thoughts

One whiff…and I’m there again

We can get places faster than ever these days. As rapid as travel has become during my career, though, nothing can transport me to a favorite place faster than a remembered fragrance. Sometimes it’s the smell of spices in a restaurant, conjuring up visions of that wonderful sidewalk cafe in Athen’s famous Plaka market, or even just the smell of early morning outside. When the temperature is just right, I’m back on a sidewalk in Paris, heading for morning lattes and croissants at the Patisserie.

Today’s journey was delivered in the form of spring blooms. I was perusing the colorful aisles of a garden center when my nose was assailed by the incomparable fragrance of blooming Hyacinths. Then, just like that, I was back in that little antique shop in Windsor, outside of London. It was still cool and grey outside, but inside there was coffee brewing and a friendly shopkeeper ready to visit and show his wares. I smelled the flowers as soon as I walked in the door;on the counter of that jumble-filled, dusty shop was this beautiful old pot filled with blooming hyacinths. I leaned down to take a sniff and fell in love. That particular fragrance is like nothing else. It’s rare, coming only once a year to our Texas climate, and it quickly leaves us as the flower fades. But every time I smell it again, I am back in Windsor, in that wonderful shop. And I’m happy. It’s the cheapest vacation known to man.

Travel enriches our lives in so many ways. Not much is said about enriching your nose, but I’m telling you today. Get your nose out there in the world. Smell the food and the spices and the weather and the greenery and the flowers and sometimes, the people! You’ll be transported back each time you experience that fragrance again.

One of those hyacinths came home with me to sit on my desk. No passport required for this journey.

Having a great time, wish you were here.
Vickie

Will they charge for the bags under my eyes?

The major US airlines have discovered an unending stream of revenue with their baggage fees. They’ve figured out that we have developed a need for our ’stuff’ and we want to take it with us. So that’s gonna cost us. A lot. American Airlines has just responded to this trend by raising their first-bag fee to $25, with the second bag (you know, the one with your shoes) costing $35. That’s right. Sixty bucks to carry your stuff one way. Do the math. $120 round trip for your luggage!

This makes me tired. Which now makes me worried that they’ll charge me for the bags under my eyes. Ssh. Don’t give them any ideas.

Having a great time,
Wish you were here,
Vickie

Say it ain’t so

I’ve been in mourning all day long….the iconic Tavern On The Green Restaurant located in New York’s Central Park is closing. That’s right. That beautiful restaurant filled with the chandeliers dripping with colored crystals, the one that I always included in my many group trips to New York, the restaurant that was in both “Ghostbusters” and “When Harry Met Sally” is closing. Tomorrow. Apparently they, like so many other places like them, just ran out of money.

I’ll get over this, I’m sure. But for now, I’m feeling nostalgic pain, knowing that they’re auctioning off all the mirrors and aforementioned chandeliers and other kitschy stuff that made it so unique. And now I fear that the former Crystal Dining Room will become a Wendy’s or another Subway. Sniff. Farewell, Tavern On the Green.

I wonder if the Christmas ornament I bought there in 1982 is now valuable?

Your memories of New York welcome here.

Completed projects

I know, I know, this season calls for lots of projects in the works. But, really, does anything feel as good as getting that long-delayed project completed? Even if you get up in the middle of the night to finish it? Well, this morning I’m experiencing that too-rare feeling. I’m finished with a long-overdue project! Aah. Satisfaction. Completeness. Resolution. Absolution. Thankfulness for tenacity. I’m there.

Now, what was I doing when I started this?

Having a great time, wish you were here.
Vickie

After all these years…..

For more than 30 years, I’ve been “doing” travel. Planning it. Dreaming about it. Traveling with group tours and making other people’s travel dreams come true. It’s truly my life’s work, for which I’m extremely thankful.

And even after all this time, and all the places and all the wonderful people (and okay, some not-so-wonderful, too) I can honestly tell you that I still love this job! I can tell I still love it because as I was feverishly working on getting the updated Scotland itinerary on this site, I actually started grinning at what I describing to potential travelers. It was so wonderful to relive some of my favorite spots in the U.K.; describing them in detail only made me remember them even more fondly…like looking at pictures.

Anyway, today is another opportunity for me to serve my clients in a business I love. Thank you for letting me be part of your travel memories in this way. It’s been a great ride!

Having a great time,
Wish you were here.
Vickie

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