A slight change in plans…

Remember our little conversation about going with the flow?

Well.  Let’s augment that with a discussion on making changes when changes are needed.  And trusting our gut instincts, which are nearly always more accurate than we give them credit for.

Here’s the thing about group trips…the success really depends on having a great group.  And, as I discovered in the last 24 hours, traveling solo actually magnifies that, because you don’t have anyone else with you to moderate the effect of the group.  This collection of hikers consisted of some really very nice people, but for reasons that I’ll tell you about some other time over a glass or three of wine, was just untenable for me for this trip.

So I’m calling an audible.  The travel company has been truly lovely, a great example of good leadership by their management team and terrific customer service.  They can’t refund the whole thing, of course, but they seem really willing to find a good solution with me, which I so very much appreciate.  It was a hard decision.  And one made with an oh so helpful flurry of texts from friends back home who rallied to my aid with advice and wisdom.  Thanks, friends. 

Some money wasted, of course…but looking at it the other way, would you pay have a sub-par vacation?  Hell no, you wouldn’t.  Would you pay to avoid having a sub-par vacation?  Probably.  That is essentially what I’m doing.  And I’m proud of myself, as I’m always proud of friends when faced with this sort of situation, for saying no, this is not ok with me.  I want more for myself in this situation.  So I’m going to be kind and polite but firm and see if I can’t find a way to make this better.

None of this is the end of the world, of course.  Please know that I get that before you get too critical, in the event this is striking you as much to do about nothing.  It’s an amazing thing to me to be able to have all these options and to even be able to make these changes.  Hell, to even be here at all.  I’ve woken up grateful for that every morning of this trip.

For the moment I’m still in Corsica, so let me back up a bit.  When I left you last, I was about to drive (or be driven, rather) from Calvi, on the northern coast, down to Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon.  The drive to Ajaccio reminded me of the loveliest parts of the Blue Ridge parkway, interspersed with charming ancient little Mediterranean towns.  We arrived in Sartène just in time for dinner, never really seeing the town, so imagine my delight upon waking up to this:

Given my, ahem, imminent departure from this group, I did not see them when they left at 9:30 for the day’s hike.  I got myself organized for my departure later in the day and then walked into town.  The town was originally built somewhere in the 1400’s, and you can see the remains of older structures at the base of newer (like, you know, 1700’s) ones.  It’s charming and lovely, especially on a blue sky, if wildly windy day. (The crazy hair attempted selfie was too funny not to include)

I had a lovely lunch in town…the cuisine in Corsica is very meat-heavy, surprising (to me, anyway) for a Mediterranean island.  I would have expected more fish.  But the island is very proud of its pigs, and pork plays a big role in most dishes.

So my plan now is this:  I fly from Corsica to Nice this evening.  I will spend two nights in Nice, where the weather happens to be gorgeous right now, then I’ll head to Rome for three nights.  I’m sad to miss seeing Sardinia….the pull of that made this decision very difficult, but in the end it’s the right one.  I’ll just have to come back here some day.

After Rome I’ll join a friend who happens to be in Paris for a few days, then home to Denver.

Au revoir from Corsica, wishing you all confidence to trust your instincts and stand up for what you really want.

Cheers!

Traveling Girl