Israel ~ A Legacy of Wanderlust

A Legacy of Wanderlust

As I type this, I’m sitting in one of the newly remodeled KLM lounges in the Amsterdam airport listening to Lionel Ritchie singing “you are the sun, you are the rain, that makes my life this foolish game…”.  As is the case in Europe, I can always count on “throw-back” moments in strange places sparked by the musical lag. It’s strangely comforting to hear the oldies but goodies while hanging out in a club lounge with a long layover.  This in and of itself is not unusual for me. Over the years, club lounges have become the second living rooms of my life. What is unusual is where I’m heading and the fact that the first and only time I went to this destination was in 1985, and it was the very first time I left the United States. At that time I had no idea what a club lounge was.  I was a young, bratty teenager who didn’t realize that her life was about to be changed in ways she could have never foreseen, but my grandmother did.

My paternal Grandmother (Grandma) was a woman born before her time. Before marrying, which she did late in life for her generation, she was a “professional” during an era when women didn’t aspire to make their own living.  And with her money…she traveled. One of my favorite stories she shared with me was while she was still single, and she went to the Mexicos, both the country and the state.  She climbed down a rope ladder into Carlsbad Caverns with a propane lantern and explored the caves.  I’ve done this tour in its current form with an elevator and I cannot believe her fearlessness.  Climbing into a dark hole with bats and spirit of adventure!  She wrapped up her day across the border in Juarez, Mexico drinking tequila and swallowing the worm, clearly for bragging rights.

Once marriage and children entered her life her travels slowed down until the nest was empty, and once it was, she was off again. She was partial to tours with groups because it wasn’t common for women to travel alone.  Plus, I think she had a bit of FOMO.  Fear of missing out.  When she went somewhere she had to see everything.  How do I know this? That first destination I mentioned earlier was a bucket list location for her and a gift to me.  She wanted to see the Holy Land while she was still strong and mobile but didn’t want to do it alone.  She claimed she needed a travel companion to help her.  At least that’s what she told my parents, but based on how she got around, I now know that wasn’t actually true.  She wanted to take me to the other side of the planet and plant the seed of Wanderlust in me.   

Wanderlust: (n) a strong desire or urge to travel and explore the world

Without overtly saying it she was saying, it doesn’t matter that you come from a small farm town don’t be afraid to take on the world. There is always more to see, learn and experience.  I wish I could tell you that I remember everything about that first trip to Israel with her, but I don’t.  I remember getting off the plane to be greeted by Israeli soldiers with M16s because it was during the era of PLO tourist bus bombings.  I remember her taking on every hiking/walking challenge to the amazement of our group. I remember laying in my twin bed in the hotel room hearing that Mexico story for the first time. I remember folk dancing in a circle with the members of the Swedish Embassy Guard at my grandma’s request because, “we are Swedish and you might find a husband”.  Yes, that might have been after a “nip” of wine.  And I remember her questions…lots of questions.  Even later in life, her curiosity never abated.

I came home from that trip changed.  I didn’t realize it in the moment because real change sneaks up on you but before I knew it, I was living overseas with an evolving career that today includes diverse international travel.   I won’t tell you how many passport stamps I have because “those people” annoy me.  Stamps don’t always equate to experiences that bring understanding, but today as I’m waiting for my connecting flight to Tel Aviv I’m so excited because this trip promises to bring a level of understanding that will likely surprise me…on a variety of levels.  Not only is it “the source” of my faith at CHRISTmas time. It is the source of my sense of Wanderlust planted by a lady, who if she were born in my era, likely would have been more difficult to pin down than me!

This series promises to be filled with travel tips, introductions my gorgeous hostesses, locals and a few sage moments of insight…come along for the ride…AND…Thanks Grandma, this one’s for you! 🙂