The adventure officially begins!
I spend most of the morning putting the finishing touches on the house, tending to the gardens one last time, and making sure everything is ready while I’m away. There always seems to be one more thing to do before leaving for an extended trip, but eventually the suitcases are zipped, the lists are checked off, and it’s time to go.
One of the hardest parts is saying goodbye to my sweet pup, Jeekee. I know she’ll miss me, but she has quite the adventure of her own while I’m gone. She’ll be riding along with my husband, Bruce, as he delivers fuel throughout the Twin Cities. I can’t think of a better travel companion for either of them, and it gives me peace of mind knowing they’ll have each other over the next few weeks.
Bruce drives me to the airport. As we pull up, I’m feeling a little squirrelly—a mix of excitement, anticipation, and just enough nervous energy to remind me that this is a big adventure. I’m looking forward to everything that awaits us in Europe, although I’m not exactly excited about spending the next several hours confined to an airplane. Long flights have a way of reminding you just how much the human body was designed to move!
Bruce walks me into the terminal, and almost perfectly timed, my cousin Cindi’s flight from Michigan lands just as I’m standing in line to check in. We hug, laugh, and before long we’re making our way through security and customs.
With plenty of time before boarding, we wander the airport, grab lunch and coffee, people-watch, and soak in that familiar excitement that comes just before an international trip. Soon enough, we’re finding our seats and settling in for the long overnight flight to Paris, France.
The flight itself goes smoothly. The airline staff is friendly and attentive, and everything runs on schedule. While the experience is pleasant, my body is definitely reminding me that sitting in one position for hours isn’t its favorite activity. Stiff muscles, limited movement, dry cabin air, and disrupted sleep are all part of long-distance travel—but they’re also things I prepared for.
Before leaving home, I packed a small collection of Ayurvedic essentials to help support my body throughout the journey. My goal isn’t just to arrive in Europe—it’s to arrive feeling as healthy, energized, and balanced as possible.
Ayurveda Travel Notes – Before Leaving
Before this trip, I spent time thinking about how international travel affects the body. Air travel can increase dryness, disrupt digestion, disturb sleep, slow circulation, and throw off our natural daily rhythms. Rather than waiting until I felt exhausted or run down, I packed several of my favorite herbal and wellness supports to help prevent problems before they started.
Throughout this journey, I’ll be sharing what’s working for me—from herbs that support sleep and ease jet lag to digestive support, immune health, hydration, circulation, and staying regular while traveling. My hope is that these simple practices will help me fully enjoy every moment of this incredible adventure.
Next stop… Paris!
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