FollowFRIENDSHIP – one of the many reasons travel is so precious to me!
i have a lot of reasons for loving to travel but i think my #1 would be making new friends. i recognize i’m fortunate to have done my fair share travel lately – especially when i reflect on my friendships. AND this summer has been a different kind of travel experience that i feel equally thankful for – having my love of travel come to my own part of the world.
when i “helped” Alex of Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler – i knew it was the right thing to do. what i didn’t consider is how much it would mean to me. by having her visit, it was like i traveled without leaving home. she told me about her travels and home country of Slovakia and it was as if my world had widened yet again. it was bittersweet when she left to go back to Europe. i was saying goodbye to a new friend – like i would to one i met while on the road.
lola & crazy sexy fun traveler
soon after Alex departed, i had an invitation to pop down to Newport, Rhode Island, to meet up with another travel blogger, Priscilla of Weekend In Paris. i was really busy catching up that week and could have easily convinced myself not to go but BOY was it ever what the doctor ordered! i’m so glad i went. not only did i have a lovely time and was treated like royalty by Priscilla but, also once again, i made some new friends that i really respect & enjoyed their company tremendously. i know we will connect over and over again. as i left the Newport city limits i wasn’t as sad as usual because Newport isn’t too far for me to return for an afternoon and catch up more with Priscilla and Co.
Newport Tweetup – Priscilla of Weekend in Paris is the beautiful brunette next to lola
plus, i was returning home to prepare for a visit i’d been looking forward to all summer long. Leah of Leah Travels was coming to visit me! we had some fun Boston plans cooked up, of course, but we also needed to plot our BIG upcoming trip of a lifetime. our one month-long tour of Europe from November to December. Leah and i had loads of fun on Friday checking out a few of the famous Boston sites and then heading to the Red Sox game. even though the Sox lost, there’s nothing quite like a game at Fenway Park. the rest of our time together was really devoted to getting “work” done. thank goodness we enjoy what we do and making our plans – really our “work” was all FUN. any time spent with Leah is always a pleasure for me. it’s like having a taste of Texas & being with an old soul of a friend. now it’s Monday and Leah has gone back to Texas and i now find myself sad again. my summer visits are over for now.
lola & leah – travelin’ BFFs
maybe i will see Priscilla again before the summer ends and i know i will be seeing Leah & Alex at TBEX in Spain in September. BUT that seems so far away. i’m glad i have my biggest adventure yet to distract me – my late August trip where i will meet a team of Australians in Cambodia for our Habitat for Humanity build. can you imagine how sad i will be when i have to say goodbye to them?
meeting new people is a very important part of my life and i’m always grateful for the new friendships. you learn so much by making new friends and inviting them into your life. while i love to learn about new places and see new things with my own eyes, it is TRULY the people from all over that i bond with and what makes it the hardest to say goodbye.
thank you for all the visits – you are some incredible ladies & you made my summer!
happy travels to you all! XO – lola
PS – if you are heading to or near Boston – let me know fellow travelers. i’d love to meet you too!
The pleasure was all mine! So much fun!
Can’t wait for another Lola visit!
Priscilla recently posted…Artist Germain Pilon in the Louvre
really, Priscilla, thank you again. i knew we’d get along because of our mutual love for Paris but you are a firecracker and that makes me love you more!!
What a lovely post Lola – I think a lot of people forget that it’s not the weather, the landmarks or the shopping that make a destination special, it’s the PEOPLE that really count!
Fiona recently posted…The Bed Edit: Camping Fit for a Princess in Anglesey
YEP. people are what make the world go round, if you ask me 🙂
Sweetie, thank you so much for this post! I felt the same when I left you and came back to Europe. We are the same in this, I get sad each time after meeting up a cool person when traveling, for me it is one of the worst things ever not to be able to spend more time with those people soon again! But fortunately, in September, November and December we will meet again 🙂 And this time with Leah too 🙂
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted…MAGICAL VIEWS FROM THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
YAY YAY YAY! that silver lining is one of the big things keeping a smile on my face right now. so many fun plans coming up & seeing some of my favorite friends again. PLUS i know i’ll be making some fab new friends too in my upcoming travels 🙂
Well yeah I’m already planning on how I can
move in with you after Cambodia. I’m your new luggage carrier! :o)
Ahhh….such sweet words, my lovely Lola. I’m with Fiona. It’s not about the shopping or landmarks, it’s the people we meet along the way that are the most memorable and special. I’m so happy you’re part of my life. I can’t wait to meet Priscilla here in Houston and Alex in Spain. I’m in good company on this post.
Leah Travels recently posted…Travel Through the Eyes of a First-Time Flyer
indeed, Leah, you are in good company and you will love these wonderful women as much as i do, i’m sure!
i know Malinda i’ve always wanted to visit Australia and know i will be after i make fast friends with you and the rest of our build crew! maybe even 2013!!
I better be mentioned in a similar, emotionally devastating post around this time next year, Ms Lola! 😉
Waegook Tom recently posted…Jeju’s Crashy Waves & Cliffs
haha! oh Tom. i think i may just tour the US with you because i have a feeling once we meet in real life we’ll have a hard time parting!! 😉
Absolutely spot on! People make our travels way more colourful than just photos of landmarks. You remember the happy times 🙂 when I think of a place, it is the people that bring the memories back. Aren’t I lucky I met you ;)? Can’t wait for our catch up in Costa Brava soon!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…A night at the Sanderson Hotel in London
ME TOOOOOO Mrs. O. i feel like one of the luckiest people around for having the opportunity to broaden my horizons and get out into the world and meet some of its best inhabitants. can’t wait to see you in Spain & during our Euro tour!!! EEEEEE 😀
love this! we so wish spain was in the cards for us in september, but we’ll just have to plan for something again soon!! xo
the lazy travelers recently posted…packing is for pros (and i just went up a notch)
that is right, Lazy Travelers. we will rendezvous somewhere FAB really soon. glad you are in my friend count too!! xo
Yes, yes, yes. Meeting new people on the road is wonderful! Sometimes it’s just that – brief encounters – but sometimes those become lasting friendships. Such a beautiful thing. 🙂 Nice post, Lola!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted…5 winery picks in Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country
thanks Pola. meeting you in Chicago was a HUGE highlight for me and i feel sure we’ll be meeting up again & again. that thought makes me really happy!
It’s so fun to see all the friendships that are forged through blogging! You and Leah are going to have an absolute blast on your travels. We can’t wait to see what trouble you get into. It’ll be interesting to see all the new friends you make a year from now!
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted…Travel Gear. Never drop your iphone again! [Video Review]
eeee! i can’t wait for all my upcoming adventures and the new friendships i’ll have. really really exciting for me!
Spot on, with you 110%. People, people, people. That’s what it’s all about.
Drew Meyers recently posted…Travel. Life’s Greatest Cure for Internal Conflicts
thanks Drew! glad we agree 🙂