I’m thinking of that scene where Jack partakes in a black tie dinner with Kate and fellow “old money” folk in first class. He explains how he is a wanderer, slumming his way from place to place, never knowing where he’ll end up. Under a bridge one night, first class on a ship the next.

That’s our story, too. And I love it. I thrive on the fact that my whole world can change in a day and I can be in a totally new, totally foreign, uncomfortable, comfortable, satisfying or unsatisfying place. No two days are alike. In fact, they’re worlds apart.

The several days leading up to tonight’s ride were brutal to say the least, but wonderful. En route to Piraeus from Romania could have been the roughest travel segment I’ve experienced yet.

I was sick from the coffin, or sleeping couchette, we crammed into with five other people for ten hours, I was throwing up in and outside of the train, on a bus to the airport, in the airport, Sierra’s daypack was stolen in Piraeus, we were nearly thrown off a train by Hungarian police at 4 a.m., Cody lost his favorite hat, we were hot and uncomfortable and dehydrated trekking around the city all day with our bags until we were herded like cattle on the cruise liner at midnight.

But on this journey I also found my fairytale castle, felt the rain on my face running in the Alps, got lost in a world all my own in the most magical green gardens I’d ever seen, spun in a human whirlpool, tasted gelato as it’s meant to be tasted…

….

Sorry, slight pause. Sierra and I just snuck downstairs into the “nice cabins’’” bathrooms to execute a ‘face wipes shower’ in the sinks…our first in three days. Awesome.

And why is this wonderful? Because it’s chaos. It’s foreign and uncomfortable and comfortable and strange and exciting and tiring and trying all at the same time. When I’m pulled at so much every day, confronted with new trials and roadblocks and lucky breaks and let downs and tiny miracles all at once I sometimes feel like I’ll just explode; every emotion I own, some I didn’t even know I possess, is brought to the surface at the same time. I don’t think I can feel any more alive than when I do this.

Just several weeks ago, we were in a five-star apartment driving a baller Escalade around one of the nicest cities in Europe. In Eichenbichel I slept on a cloud at an Austrian bed and breakfast, I bunked in a ten person room in a hostel/club in Prague, and here I am now on the water under the stars.

Do we know where we’re staying in Santorini? Not really. Maybe a hostel, if there’s room, the beach is always an option, camp grounds could be close by, some places rent out apartment rooms…

But wherever we end up is where we’re supposed to be. (I just formed and digested this opinion, it’s kind of liberating). The people you meet, travelers you come across, locals you encounter, train buddies you bunk with, they all are part of your journey that shape your unique experience in a place and when and how you arrive at your next destination. Doors open wherever you are. Wherever they lead, roll with it, hang on, and just love it.

“I feel about travel the way a happy new mother feels about her impossible, colicky, restless newborn baby–i just don’t care what it puts me through. Because I adore it. Because it’s mine. Because it looks exactly like me. It can barf all over me if it wants to– I just don’t care.”
“Eat, Pray, Love” Elizabeth Gilbert

Amen sister.

Sadly, I have fallen victim to this statistic. While making our ferry reservation at Piraeus, Ferry port outside of Athens, to go to Santorini, I hit the lowest point in all of my travels. My day pack was stolen at the blink of an eye. In the bag I had my new camera, laptop, Eurail passes, phone, important documents, external hard drive, iPod, some money, and not to mention a few other personal items all taken.  Thank fully though, I still have my money, passport and, most importantly, my health.

The reality of travel is that not everything goes smoothly. You have to be ready to adjust, to be flexible and roll with the punches. Up until this point, I had been organized and under budget…so doing very well. Disappointments are going to occur but it’s crucial to not despair in situations like these.

You have to move on and finish the journey. I look at this incident as a test and know that with every trial comes a finish line. If anything, I know I will move on a stronger person because of this.  Like Cody once said, traveling is 110 percent mental. Well, I am beginning to think so, myself. Remaining positive even in sour circumstances can make a world of difference.

Put this in your travel pocket:

• If traveling with a computer back everything up on a hard drive prior to leaving.
• If you set your pack down by your feet, attach the pack to your ankle. Always be sure there are no loose ends. Everything should be attached to your person at all times.  
• Always be ALERT. Lack of sleep can be a detriment to your awareness.
• Be cautious if using unsecure wireless networks that don’t require a password
• Misinterpretation can occur easily. A gesture in one country may be perceived differently in another. It’s important to be aware of cultural differences and customs as you travel from place to place.
• Lost but confident: Always be aware of your surroundings. Even if you’re not sure where you are going, appear as if you know. Confidence intimidates. 
• Keep valuables in separate places: for example, I had my external hard drive and laptop in the same bag. That’s a no-no.

In times like these, I am reminded of a favorite passage of mine from the Bible. Romans 5:3-5. Says, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character, and character hope.  Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” I believe that everything happens for a reason even if its not clear what that reason is at the time.

What next:

I’ll hopefully be getting a new computer to work with here soon so I can continue to make movies. In the meantime, we will be doing our best to update you through pictures and blogs and as much video footage as we can.