This post is less of an account of my travels and more of an ode to my previous travel buddy - Louise Vernall. Her energy, enthusiasm and ability to make any situation fun would be a breath of fresh air, in this desert of personality and get-up-and-go I am accompanied by on my Dragoman group tour.
Having paid lots of money to meet a big group of like-minded people and go camping and camp cook - I'm instead stuck with 4 quiet people I have very little in common with for the next 2 weeks, staying in upmarket hostels and being forced to go out for expensive meals to make things easier for the group leaders. The usual perk of group tours having your itinerary planned for you has not been forthcoming either - with the 2 leaders swanning off to a spa, leaving us to find out about, decide on and carry out our activities - with me leading the way, reading the map and doing the talking (in pigeon Portuguese). I have most certainly inherited Dad's leader/can't sit still gene!
Mums 'every penny counts' gene is doing overtime as I stress at every service station, supermarket and restaurant where I am pressured into buying food and drink I didn't even want. The money I've spent the past 4 years scrimping and saving to build up is not, in my head, to be spent entirely on rubbish Italian meals and bottled water we were supposed to have been supplied with. If Louise were here I'm sure we could have survived off bread, cheese and biscuits but alas I have had to embrace the luxury - it won't last once I'm out on my own again.
But unlike four years ago, I won't have Louise by my side making me laugh no matter what. I have frequently been excited as I see a play park/swimming pool before remembering that Louise isn't here to play with me 😩 I have had her voice in the back of my head as I question whether or not to jump in the sea/go down that waterfall saying 'go on, do it'. And I'd have had someone to dance with as I stumble across country music festivals or lively samba bars, rather than dancing on my own.
As we drive through a life-size Settlers of Qatan board (well atleast wood, brick, wheat and sheep) I long for someone to play eye spy or linking lyrics with. Atleast I have Lou's music downloaded onto my iPod to break up the bucket loads of quiet reflection time I've been getting on these long journeys. I imagined having lots of time to think on night buses later in my trip. But maybe when I am 'alone' and free to meet whoever I gravitate towards I will be less alone than in this small crowd.
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