Saturday, August 18, 2018

Trans-Mongolian Railway : T minus ONE MONTH!

One month today, we depart DIA around midnight for New York City.

You'd think there is not much yet to organize, but it turns out our lives are not as simple as first thought. On the bright side, that means when we finally do take off for vacation, the gap between life here and life on the road, will be HUGE. After a mandatory period of anxiety about being so out of touch, this is going to prove to be a very meaningful break from "normal" life and one that I'm really looking forward to.

In Marks world:
He is on the home stretch of finishing his airplane upgrades and annual inspection. After almost 3 years of down time, N303B will once again take to the skies and feel the wind beneath her wings. Of course, that is likely to become possible only about 2 hours prior to vacation!  LOL

At work, Mark has 5 different people covering his duties. A regular vacation (American style) would result in his work simply being pushed out so that he had to deal with it when he returned the following week. Our vacation being 4 weeks long means "kicking the can down the road" is not a viable option and all his responsibilities will need to be parceled out to those other employees who can add a bit more to their plates between mid September and mid October. You are right in thinking that this is not without stress for Mark. But oh, it will be worth it!

In my world: 
I have 4 closings at the end of this month and saw myself legitimately tying up all those loose client ends before I fled too. Alas, that is not how real estate works. As of this week I have 2 buyers hot to trot and a new listing. Thank goodness the colleagues that lend me their time and energy while I'm gone, are simply awesome people... competent, kind and available. It doesn't get any better than that.
(Maybe I'll even have a closing and get paid while I travel!!!?)

At home, I'm busy organizing temporary lawn maintenance and a house keeper. Ofelia is my new go-to lady in the house. She is going to clean house and prep the guest room for each new Airbnb guest (3 parties) while we are gone.

So all I need to do is:
- Clean thoroughly
- Make sure I have 4 sets of freshly laundered bed sheets and towels laid out
- Write a manual for the things in the house I know - and other people don't
- Put a lock box on the door
- Notify Donnie that she will be the Emergency Contact for Airbnb guests with issues!

Why do I feel like I'm missing something?!

Oh yeah... a rather large acknowledgement of gratitude to this guy;


Without Mark this overland trip would probably never happen and certainly would not be so much fun. From the planning to the packing, eating new and different things, sleeping in strange places, enduring the challenges and riding the highs together... He is always a trooper. By my side with an open mind, kind heart and hand to hold.

Not everyone would say yes to this sort of travel adventure, but I'm super happy that Mark did!
Did I mention it was going to be life changing?

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