Three weeks in Europe, unfortunately, became one short week and suddenly I was on a flight back to Chicago.
That was last week. I believe I’m still in a state of dazed disappointment. I shared with friends on Facebook more specifically what happened and received an incredible outpouring of support and encouragement. Suffice it to say, traveling with a business associate who (quite sadly) has serious and untreated issues exacerbated by the stress of travel turned this potentially excellent experience into a bit of a nightmare. The goal of these three weeks was to work out a tour business with his funding and my experience and ideas.
I experienced the disturbing issues within the first 24 hours in London…and it grew steadily worse. I was trying to make the best of it a few days into Paris when something in him snapped. He informed me that I was heading home early. No explanation or conversation, simply a text with my return flight information. I believe I was being made the scapegoat for a mistake he made (that affected our tour guests on their first night in Paris), an error he could not own. I do hope he gets the help he needs.
So, now what? Many friends suggested I do my own Europe trips (and a few said they would join me when I do!). I am reevaluating my work and various projects at this point and discerning the way forward.
Yes, I am disappointed. I was so close to so much that I longed to experience and share, but didn’t. Yet I am finding meaning in this and remaining hopeful. I am grateful that I experienced what I did – and it was good to get back in the saddle and find that I still had my travel groove. I am all the more determined to do Europe again soon…and to do it right.
More in upcoming posts about my last days in Paris…
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