The Dream That Keeps Slipping Away

Marylyn Guzman Start Date: Jun 20, 2024 - End Date: Nov 1, 2024
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
  • Ibiza, Spain
  • Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
  • Naples, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
  • Cannes, France
  • Cagliari, Italy

My Travel Story

by: Marylyn Guzman Start Date: Jun 20, 2024 - End Date: Nov 1, 2024
My obsession with Spain began when I met a young man named Juan Carlos aboard a cruise ship when I was about 15. I remember his accent as his described all things wonderful about his country and how much he loved him home. I recall feeling the urgency to go there but of course I was young so the idea had to lay in the back my brain. Several years later I watched a movie titled "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and my fascination with Spain ramped again. Sadly, while I was now mature enough to travel,  no one shared my enthusiasm and the idea of traveling alone scared me. Once again, I put my dream on hold. As the years went by  I started revisiting the idea and knew one day it would happen even if that meant alone. I had now grown the confidence to make the journey as a solo traveler. To many this may seem like an easy and completely feasible trip but for me it wasnt. I didn't want to just visit Spain, I wanted to explore it, in and out.

Finally, in the Summer of 2019, my dream was finally coming to life. The "book now" was hit and my roundtrip ticket to Barcelona was comfirmed. I started my usual spreadsheet, that so many know me for, booked hotels, restaurants and tours. The spreadsheet was FULL. I was going to need a vacation from the vacation due to the long and full days I had planned. By November 2019, every single hour of every single day was planned out. The travel date was set for May 2020. Well, we all know what happened that year. Covid came in and wipe out all my months of planning in just under 10 minutes, literally. One by one all the email cancelations started pouring in. I was devastated. I was able to rebook everything for November of that same year believing Covid was a temporary thing. How naive I was. In the end, my trip was canceled two more times thanks to covid and once because now I was dealing with an ailing father. I finally gave up, took all my refunds and placed my dream back on the shelf were it resided for decades before.

2020-2023 were HARD years for me. I went through so much between deaths, father diagnosed with dementia, a dog who became paralyzed and so many other smaller events. As 2023 came to close I decided enough was enough and I was going to turn all this back luck around. So by the end of 2023 it was finally happening, fingers crossed anyway! The spreadsheet was revised, the hotels reserved and planning started rolling but I had to start from scratch. Regardless, on November 7th, 2024, my small feet will finally step on Spain soil. As the planning process enveloped I realized how much things had changed post Covid. Most things I had initially booked have now risen to nearly double, if not more, the cost. So, I was forced to make the decision of taking this trip, choosing one to two tours and scratching the rest off the list. 

So, as I approach the big 5-0, there really isnt much I need beyond health and happiness for not only myself but mostly, for everyone around me. However, as I started mentioning my upcoming party plans, many have asked what do I want for my birthday and I couldn't think of a good response. Then the lightbulb lit brightly! If birthday gifts are a thing then why not donate to EmGee's Dream Vacation fund? I mean it can't get any better than that, at least not for me. So, if you would like to give a gift, please feel free to donate. No pressure, no expectations but lots and lots and lots of appreciation.

Can't wait to see you on the dance floor!

Love and warm hugs, 
EmGee
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
  • Ibiza, Spain
  • Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
  • Naples, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
  • Cannes, France
  • Cagliari, Italy