Travel Buddies

The "perfect" travel companions!

Death Valley antics.  We were fun and unpredictable back then!

In less than 24 hours Nate and I will be on a 10 1/2 hour direct flight to Frankfurt.  In our almost 6 years of marriage we have made traveling one of our priorities in our lives.  We love it.  Seeing new places, experiencing different cultures, walking for hours and trying some tons of new foods are a few of our favorite things.  And I think we complement each other pretty well in terms of traveling compatibility.  We have come a long way compared to the first real trip we went on as a dating couple with our good friends Jake and Amie.  That trip brought up some of our first conflicts.  In our road trip to the Grand Canyon we discovered we had differences in planning, (I didn't) making decisions, (I felt no need) being tidy, (I wasn't) needing food (I always did) and needing bathrooms (me again.)  All of his structure drove me just as crazy as my free spirit drove him crazy.  Still, this did not stop us from plowing on to many more excursions, and I'm so glad we did. 

If it weren't for that first incredibly fun yet frustrating trip I don't think I'd appreciate the slow changes that have occurred in us. We've listened to each other, adapted to each other and edged our preferences towards each other.  NOW, I am happy to arrive to all scheduled departures abundantly early so Nate won't be stressed out.  He keeps his eyes out for logical rest/food stops at all times.  I mark restaurants and sights I would like to see BEFORE we leave (mostly).  He sits and reads books at cute little cafes (for a bit.)  Neither of us are outrageously tidy in a hotel room.  We agree that days should be balanced between planned and wandering, we are willing to ask people to take pictures of us and we will always split our meal if we both feel like the same thing.  Breakfast must always be eaten, and mornings shouldn't be rushed unless absolutely necessary.  Transit systems are meant to be navigated by Nate, walking is perfect for burning the calories of rich and delicious meals and evenings are for watching sunsets/street performers/people in general.  

We know some of the things this trip holds in store for us, such as a visit to a concentration camp, lots of schnitzel, a drive through Bavaria, Hitler's Eagle's Nest, the Sound of Music Tour, sausage tasting and various beer gardens.  However, we have just enough mystery left to leave me giddy with excitement to find out what will happen in the next 19 days!