This story starts with an airplane. Well, to be more exact, with FEAR of an airplane, any airplane. The fear was always there, but it intensified as the hours, days and years went by until, one day, I could not bear the thought of even getting near one, let alone ON one.
This story also starts with time. The time that went by. The time that made me older. The time I wasted being grounded.
This story also starts with my body, how much punishment it could take as time went by and I got older, and trains, buses, and cars were no longer "fun" to get to distant places. Cruises were but getting to the ports would have brought me back to the first sentence.
This story is about miracles. Yes, I am not going to take any credit because I have no idea what happened. I had discovered a FREE video online to overcome the fear of flying a few years back. I could only start it and the hyperventilation would begin...so I didn't get very far…until the day I knew it had to be done. I watched it 3 times and, suddenly, I started to relax. (Ask me about the video if you find yourself in this situation).
This story is about timing. I had booked a cruise to ALASKA with one of my daughters for May 2012. I didn't really want to drive or take a train but thought flying to get to the port thousands of miles away was out of the question. At this point, I had not flown for over 30 years! However, armed with my new "relaxation" about flying and confident that I was ready, I took the plunge. (There are many family jokes about this "brave" leap of mine, but I'll share those some other time).
What I experienced was complete comfort, ease, assurance...like I was born to fly!
I haven't looked back since.
After that first flight, first flight after 30 years of not flying that is, which involved 4 planes total getting there and back, I started planning a European vacation. I was planning it with a companion but knew that it could end up being me alone in the end. So, I was ready for the inevitable and that second flight was across the ocean and alone!! For the second half of the trip I had a companion, and that was a very nice balance to that whole vacation.
It took a lot of work to plan that trip. I did it all independently, no pre-arranged tours, etc. I knew I could not wake up at the crack of dawn to be on a bus. I also wanted to experience the places up close, walking, as much as possible. I was interested in discovering the "out of the way" little gems that are there to be discovered. I was gone for a month and was in Italy for most of that time, ending with a few days in Paris and a few days in London.
In quick succession, two more transatlantic trips came up, one in 2016, with a companion, where for two weeks we visited four cities in Spain, Monte Carlo, Paris and London again. Then, in 2017, traveling solo again, I was fortunate enough to visit Ireland, Austria, Greece, Palermo, and, then, Paris again, for a total of 27 days.
By then I knew that I was in my element. That I wanted everyone to have the experiences that I had enjoyed. The emotional high of seeing new and different places. The realization that all over the world human beings are more alike than different and the connections you make, even if they are for moments, warm the heart. That I wanted women (and men) to know that they shouldn't stay home just because they have no one to travel with. That traveling solo can be a little difficult sometimes, but it's wonderfully exhilarating and empowering as you conquer any obstacles or, better yet, encounter none!! But, most importantly, the memories that will remain there for you to cherish FOREVER!
I wanted to keep this momentum going and so starting a travel business was the most natural next step in that progression. I already helped friends and family with their travel research, with meager tools. Imagine what I could do with mega forces behind me.
I love the companies I am associated with: Travel Edge and, through them, Virtuoso. They will allow me to offer my clients anything from the admission ticket to an attraction to the most intricate and fabulous vacation you can imagine, tailor-made for you! I am so excited for all of you. It will be such an honor (but, mostly, LOTS OF FUN!!) to help you.
Welcome to my world! Thank you.
Margie Esteban-Gonzalez
For the Love of Travel LLC
