Tuscany Here I Come! Tough or Fearless?

. Tuscany Here I Come! Tough or Fearless?

Those of you who see me all the time, know that today marks the beginning of a huge adventure.  I’m off to Europe to paint in Tuscany!  Traveling on my own…that’s a new twist on travel for me.  I’ve been married to a detail oriented guy for most of my life now, and though I’m capable of handling details, my husband Paul is good at being "pilot in command".  Letting him be in charge feels more relaxing and that’s part of the vacation experience for me.  This trip is different.  I’m going to have to stay sharp.  It’s a little scary, but it’s already been fun.  Traveling on your own somehow makes you accessible.  People seem friendlier.  Maybe it’s something about the energy I send out when I'm by myself...maybe I’m more open to interaction.  That’s food for thought...

I got to the airport with 2 checked bags…one with art materials and the other with belongings.  I probably brought too much.  I have a rolling backpack and a camera bag that is doubling as my purse.  I think the $5 tip to the valet at the curb was the best $5 I’ve ever spent.  Thanks to him I wasn't charged for my backpack as a carry-on.  Spirit Airlines loves to charge for that luggage!

I saw my friend Ann Berg at the TSA check-in for security and gave her a smooch on the way to the check-point.  I asked her if it was against the law to kiss the TSA agent, and we agreed that neither one of us cared! ;-) What a great beginning to my morning!

Once at the gate, I relaxed and got a cup of coffee.  As I got on the plane, I ran into another friend, Pamela.  She was on her way to a wedding in NYC and we made lunch plans for when I got back by talking across the aisle as others were boarding.  That started another conversation with folks in the seats next to me.  Normally I don’t do a lot of visiting with fellow passengers, but like I mentioned earlier…this trip something is different. 

At LaGuardia (which always seems startlingly decrepit…how can it be that the coolest city in the country has the worst airport?)  I then had to get to JFK for my flight to Dusseldorf.  I decided to take a cab and relax rather than deal with the bus.  As luck would have it, I got into Bettique’s yellow cab.  (With a name like that, she doesn't need a last name!) What a great ride!  She has been a yellow cab driver for over 30 years.  

I told her that I had never ridden with a female cabbie before, and she said that she was one of only a handful of women who drive in the city.  Apparently women cab drivers are less than 1% of the drivers.  She said over 55% are now Pakistani.  Years ago, when women were being targeted and killed, she said most women drivers quit.  She had some great stories of driving the cab and in talking, we found out that we both had been nurses in our past lives.  I commented that she must be tough to be a woman in her business.  She said she had to pay attention and be smart, but she would describe herself as “fearless”.  

I thought that was an interesting distinction.  There is a difference between being tough, and being fearless.  Tough implies being closed and impenetrable. Fearless implies openness and courage.  Before I knew it, she had me at JFK.  I’m so early for my flight that I can’t check in, so I have time to sit here and write this note. 

At my friend Janelle's shower yesterday, I saw a bunch of friends I love and admire.  At the party, many found out for the first time that I was leaving for Tuscany today.  It’s a unique thing to be able to go on this trip by myself, and hearing my friends’ reactions only reinforces that for me. It's really unusual to be going on this crazy and incredible trip by myself.  Do I need to be tough?  I don’t feel tough.  I’m a little anxious.  I’m scared about making connections and meeting up with my group at the right time, in the right place, at a foreign airport. What if I miss connections?  What if I can’t understand the language cues once I get there?  I don’t feel tough.  But after meeting Bettique, I’m encouraged.  Like her…I don’t want to be tough I just want to be fearless.  

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist/ Art Instructor

Myrtle Beach, SC