As a little girl, I had a recorded-from-TV tape of the 1949 version of Little Women. (Yes, that was the 1949 version, not the 1994 version). I felt all of Jo March's ecstasy whenever Europe was mentioned. "Europe?! I'm going to Europe!" When Laurie asked about her plans, she sheepishly admitted she wasn't going any time soon, but she was certainly going. Sadly for Jo, she was not invited on the trip she had set all her expectations on. I have wanted to go to England since I was little and I spoke with the same confidence as Jo, that it would happen one day. Unfortunately, it has been nearly as elusive for me as the trip to Europe had been for Jo.
My desire to go to England grew every year as I read more and more literature and poetry by English authors who shaped my imagination and thinking and my own writing style. I longed for Oxford and the college town where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and others had collaborated. I wanted to see London where Charles Dickens had lived and written such heart wrenching, yet terribly funny stories, the countryside that Jane Austen knew, the Lake District Beatrix Potter painted and conserved through her incredible entrepreneurship, (and not technically England, but on the same island) the highlands and moors which inspired the poetry and stories of Robert Louis Stevenson.
This past year, I decided I wanted to make it happen. I made more specific lists of what I wanted to see in England and looked into cost, options for travel, etc. I began making more concrete plans with a potential travel companion about seven months out. About a month later, she had to back out. I found two other girls who were making potential plans to the UK and met with them to talk through possibilities. We realized that the trips we had planned were probably too different to be combined satisfactorily. I reached out to everyone I knew who I thought would possibly be interested in the trip and might be in a season where they could afford the cost and time away. No takers. I began to plan a solo trip.
I've done enough solo traveling to know I really dislike it and that the destination on the other side has to be really amazing to be worth it. I thought this might be worth it. Unfortunately, I began experiencing severe anxiety and had to put aside my plans again.
Then, in February, an acquaintance from an online writing community forwarded me an email. Her message said, "Chelsea, this made me think of you. That is all!" It was a notice about one spot being left on a retreat to the English countryside, June 17-23, hosted by Sudden Journeys, a luxury travel company specifically catering to women. I read the email. I followed the links. I read every page of details. It was around 12 noon on a Friday. I checked my passport, covid restrictions, my bank account, reviews of the travel company, my vacation account at work, my family vacation plans, and my treasured list of the things I wanted to see in England. Around 12 midnight, I went to click submit on an application and a $500 nonrefundable deposit. I saw the dreaded words, "Trip Full. No availability." I cried for a good half hour. I faintly typed out an email asking if there was a wait list.
On Monday, I received an email that I was added to the waitlist. Two days later, I was notified the spot was back open. I immediately submitted the deposit (which ended up taking almost a full week to go through because of my small local bank, causing much anxiety).
I didn't share about the trip with a lot of people unless they specifically asked about my summer plans. I had the feeling of trepidation that the trip would be prevented after all. However, I can now confidently say, not that I'm going to England, but I have been to England...and it was lovely! I'll be sharing pictures, observations, and stories from my 11-day trip over the next several weeks. Make sure you are subscribed if you'd like to see them. I hope you enjoy!
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