Deja Vu? Nope. Not this time 

Just boarded Cathay Pacific Flight 879. The same flight I boarded Thursday November 29, 2016. Same day of the week. Same seat I sat in. Headed in the same direction. Though nothing is the same about this flight. For starters, Ari couldn’t stop chattering away from the second his eyes opened this morning. He was so excited about what lies ahead. Marc kept hugging me before we left our house thanking me for making this adventure possible. I’m not crying wondering what the hell I’m doing running away from home. And best of all, Sakai is with us. Has been for the past three weeks. The only sadness leaving this time, is that Sakai won’t be returning with me when we do decide to return…It will be about 6 months before we see each other again. I’m ok with it though. It’s just how life goes. We are already planning our next adventure, just him and I. As well as another family adventure after that. 
As I sit here and think about it all, I am amazed I am still standing(figuratively, as I am literally sitting) I hope Marc knows just how big of a support he has been. Especially for letting me go. Ari too for that matter. What must have gone through his just 11 year old mind that his mother ran away to a foreign place with an unknown person. It was that foreign and unknown that has made it possible for this to happen now. While last time, there was no question about my being alone, this time, I am so happy they are both with me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Remain in the moment. Be present. That is my daily mantra for this trip. There will be no looking ahead. There is no need to know what happens next. Something will happen, and it will be a new experience, whether good or bad. I don’t need control. I don’t want it. The only thing I know about this itinerary is that we land in Hong Kong Friday night, and we leave Monday for Vietnam. I don’t even know what time our flight is. Some tour guide….You’d think he would tell us that info…Sakai won’t be in HKG with us. He is continuing on to Bangkok. He has to unpack from his frozen adventures in the USA, do laundry, and pack for warmer climates. We will all meet up in Ho Chi Minh City Monday. I’m excited to just be with my family in a foreign place. Marc and I used to travel before Ari, and we always had so much fun on our adventures together. This should be no exception. 

Our tour guides for Hong Kong are a friend from High School and his family. Kenny is a Pilot for Fed Ex and relocated to HKG several years ago with his family. We are all so excited to see his city! I’m sure he will know where to get the best Dim Sum in Hong Kong. Looking forward to seeing Kenny and meeting his family. 

It’s nice being in such a different place than last time. It’s even nicer having the three most important males in my life with me. Marc and Ari are right behind Sakai and myself. Each child was given a special candy treat for the flight. Hopefully, they can all behave for the next 16 hours. Me, I’m looking forward to washing down my Xanax with an adult beverage. It will be refreshing after the chocolate covered blueberries I ate before. Ok. Time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this adventure.

Wheels up!!! Next stop HKG!