Feb 10

Feb 10 The job break trip to Europe

It may have been too soon to take on a new role, 8 months after she died, but I really really wanted the job. A director, working remote, with the ability to work from anywhere, and the responsibility of redesigning 7 healthcare products - too good to pass up! But to be ready, I needed a break. So I left Splunk before Christmas and immediately bought a 1-way ticket to Milan.
The trip was loosely organized, and centered around friends with guest rooms. It was mostly restful - I listened to my emotions and my body each day as I made plans. I was gone for 3 weeks and a lot less than I normally would. What I did do is catch up with my friends, my reading and my sleep. Just so happened I was sleeping in some fabulous places!

Gina and Matt in Turin, Italy

The trip started off with a rush, skiing in the Alps. Matt picked me up from Milan Malpensa and we went straight to the mountains. We were booted up the next day. I skied for 2 wobbly days and did a very, very necessary lesson.

Back in Turin, I acted like the princess in the castle and left the house only to shop, walk or practice Italian at the local market. Aperol spritzes were mandatory every day at 4pm

Jess in Lucerne, Switzerland

Jess was in her final months in Lucerne, which is a handy 4 hour train ride from Turin. It was a dream come true to train through the mountains to see her. I even bought the tickets in person, in Italian!

We took advantage of the world famous transportation, going from Lucerne to Basel to Zurich and back on Saturday. On Sunday, we took a boat to a gondola to a cog railway. After a hike and a mineral bath, we took a gondola back to a bus and a train. Transportation heaven!

Family in Dublin, Ireland

I flew from Zurich to Dublin and was welcomed back into the mothership. This house hosted us the last time Rebecca was in Ireland and the memories are warm and positive. I had big plans to see people in Dublin, but quickly got overwhelmed. I had to pull back, head to the sofa and take it easy as the memories and grief swirled around.

I did some walks and workouts…but mostly Irish TV and cups of tea.

Portugal for a stopover

The cheapest flight to SF was through Lisbon. Rebecca spent time there opening a Minor Hotels property so I wanted to experience what she had told me about. I was moved to the hotels’ best room and had a wonderful day roaming the city, shopping for pottery and drinking Belgian beer. It had so much in common with San Francisco; from the trams to the bridge, the hills and the weather. In the evening, I met up with Rebecca’s former coworker in her historical home near the castle.