As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a somewhat neophiliac personality. A neophiliac is someone who is strongly enthusiastic about novelty and new experiences. I Love to do something for the first time. We have all heard the saying, There is a first for everything. The saying “There’s a first time for everything” reflects the idea that every experience has an initial occurrence. It’s often used to encourage people to embrace new situations, take risks, and step out of their comfort zones. Whether it’s trying a new cuisine, visiting a historical site, or embarking on an adventure like hiking a stroller-friendly trail in Sedona, the phrase reminds us that every groundbreaking moment starts with a first step.
Well, I just realized that we will be taking that tendency to a new extreme. Today, Cat and I will get on a shiny Delta Jet for St. Kitts. Over the last 11 years, we have stayed the night at 816 different destinations. Some places we have visited numerous times, like Atlanta and St. Kitts. That is unpacking our bags every 4.5 days. That includes our 2 1/2 year stay at the Brookdale Senior Living facility. This, however, will be the first time we will be out of the country for almost 3 months. The longest prior was 45 days. You can read about that trip here.
To Travel alone is one thing, but to do so with someone with advanced Early Onset Alzheimer’s is a horse of a different color. The origin of this idiom is believed to date back to **medieval England**, when knights rode horses of solid colors like brown, black, or white. A horse with unusual markings or colors would stand out, making it literally “a horse of a different color.
I have noticed something striking as we have transitioned back to being nomads is that I don’t see anyone else even out and about with their loved one with dementia. Let alone travel extensively as us. Also, as opposed to last time, where people were somewhat gravitated to our way of life and wanted to know more, now people pretty much leave us alone. Some passersby applaud my efforts, but no one would think to invite us to lunch, as it were.
Since Cat has been nonverbal for over a year now, I find myself talking to myself more often than not. I do talk to Cat, but it is just not the same without her input. So as a workaround I have a goal set for myself to reach out to someone, either by text, email, or phone call, each day. I am also writing more, which seems to help with the profound loneliness.
I will be taking a paid travel companion, Tammy, and her teenage son for the first week, where we will be staying at my sister, Gwen’s, condo. Tammy has been helping us over the last two years and even helped us achieve our goal of a half marathon in all 50 states. I am sure she will have some very useful advice for me moving forward. After the first week, Cat and I will move to the Marriott Resort for the remainder of our stay on the Island.
Logistically, this has not been easy getting ready for this trip. I had to make sure I had enough of the medications and supplements we would not be able to get in St. Kitts, along with some supplies that are much cheaper in the States, to take along with us. I would say wish us luck right about now but I am not a firm believer in luck. So much success would be more appropriate.
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