I'm finally back.

[pattrose]

Wow, I'm back from Greece. I don't think I'm meant to be a world traveler. It was a 15-hour trip to Greece and back, and I still had to drive two hours to get back to Tucson, AZ. We loved Greece, but I learned an essential thing. When you're on oxygen, it becomes borderline frightening, in need of air. I had six batteries for my machine, and they are supposed to last four or more hours each. It should have been more than enough. I ran out there and back. Not something I would suggest anyone do. It was a nightmare. I'll never fly again. Too scary for me. And I also learned that most of Greece is at an incline. Something else, my lungs didn't appreciate.

I didn't get to go on the excursions with my hubby and daughter because they told us I wouldn't do well. We decided to take a chance, and it didn't end well at all. So, I only did an excursion in Turkey and a small one in Crete, Greece. I found things to do on the ship, but I found myself somewhat depressed at fucking up their trip. It was a costly trip to end up on the ship for the most part.

I now know that I will only travel by car from now on.

And would you like to know what happened on the way back, in a packed 450-person flight? We got Covid. We are now sicker than a dog. Boy oh boy, the fun keeps rolling in.

Okay, I'm done whining now. I'll post some pictures when I finally go through all of them. Hugs, Patt.

Comments

[mxcatmoon]

So sorry to hear you're sick! I hope you're feeling better soon!

Also sorry you didn't get to do as much as you wanted, but at least you did get do a few of the excursions. I used to travel a lot when I was young, but I find it way too exhausting these days. I'd rather just stay home.

[pattrose]

I’m right there with you.

[kazzy_cee]

Ack! That all sounds really tough - I'm so sorry you all came back with Covid! Get well soon.

[pattrose]

Thank you.

[tarlanx]

I haven't had a vacation in years so I've forgotten how cramped it is on a plane. No wonder you picked up COVID :( Hope you get better quickly.

Sorry to hear you were not able to take full advantage of all the excursions and ended up spending most of your time on the ship - I do hope the ship had lots of decent entertainment though sometimes just being away from home and able to sit and read is enough :)

[pattrose]

I did read out on my balcony. It was very relaxing. There was tons of things to do on the ship. I feel a little better this morning. Thank you for your kind words.

[spikedluv]

I'm glad you made it back, but I'm sorry the plane ride was fraught and the visit less than ideal for you.

[(Anonymous)]

I’m so disappointed in myself. I think that’s why I’m a little depressed. It’s hard when you realize you’re one of those people that can’t do certain things. And you have to change your life around to fit into your new life. My hubby had wanted to go to Hawaii next year. I don’t see it happening at all. ❤️❤️

[spikedluv]

It does suck when we realize we have limits that mean we can't do things we'd love to do.

Do they have cruises to Hawai'i? Would the plane trip be shorter, at least? Just spit-balling. I understand that you're feeling very vulnerable to being locked inside a plane right now.

[pattrose]

Its 6-7 hours. With no stop. I'll have to save up for first class. And they do have a cruise. It goes to five islands. Hubby said it would be slower paced. It won't be for a good 18 months. I'll think about it. 😁😁

[spikedluv]

Even if not that, I hope you can do something that you'll enjoy. (I've always wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise. I'm not sure how long the drive is, but it looks like they depart from places in Washington state and Alaska.) (I'm imagining your husbands expression when you counter 'Hawai'i' with 'Alaska', lol!)

[pattrose]

We've been on the Alaskan cruise. We loved it, but that was ten years ago. I was still well at that time. How quickly things go downhill. As you well know, you're going through all this with your mom. I haven't read back 12 days, so I have no idea if she's doing well or not. I'll have to check that later today.

[spikedluv]

I'm glad you loved it!

Mom is doing much better; eating, taking her pills, moving around... *fingers crossed* Thanks for thinking of her.

[pattrose]

So glad to hear she's doing better. I was very concerned.

[tinnean]

Oh, Patt, I'm so sorry to hear this. And you were looking forward to it so much. To get Covid on top of it sucks canal water. I hope you'll feel better soon. *hugs*

[pattrose]

Thank you, Tinnean. I can actually breathe today so I know I'm getting better. Its a crap shoot getting on a plane these days. Everyone was so sick on plane. Being surrounded by 200 of the 450 on the plane that were coughing and blowing their noses didn't help at all. I didn't bring a mask. That's on me. I'm usually pretty with it. Today I might actually cook for us and everything. I must be feeling better. Sleep is the number one help.

[tinnean]

I'm surprised the airline didn't offer masks. At the VA and a lot of the ERs here they have boxes of them available. I'm glad you're a little better. Take care of you. *hugs*

[clavally]

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. If I ever went on a cruise, I'd be right there with you confined to the ship! My knees, hips, and back make it so that standing/walking for more than about 5 minutes can be excruciating. Actually, I've often thought about taking an Alaskan cruise and getting a balcony room and spending the whole time on the ship reading and writing. It'd be like a writer's retreat. Sucks when someone else is with you and you feel like you're bringing them down, though. Sorry you had to get Covid on top of everything else. I hope life eases up for you soon!

[pattrose]

Are you signing up for sentinel secret Santa?  I think it’s closing soon. 

Hugs, Patt

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2025, at 7:44 PM, clavally - DW Comment <dw_null@dreamwidth.org> wrote:



clavally replied to your Dreamwidth entry "I'm finally back." in which you said:

Wow, I'm back from Greece. I don't think I'm meant to be a world traveler. It was a 15-hour trip to Greece and back, and I still had to drive two hours to get back to Tucson, AZ. We loved Greece, but I learned an essential thing. When you're on oxygen, it becomes borderline frightening, in need of air. I had six batteries for my machine, and they are supposed to last four or more hours each. It should have been more than enough. I ran out there and back. Not something I would suggest anyone do. It was a nightmare. I'll never fly again. Too scary for me. And I also learned that most of Greece is at an incline. Something else, my lungs didn't appreciate.

I didn't get to go on the excursions with my hubby and daughter because they told us I wouldn't do well. We decided to take a chance, and it didn't end well at all. So, I only did an excursion in Turkey and a small one in Crete, Greece. I found things to do on the ship, but I found myself somewhat depressed at fucking up their trip. It was a costly trip to end up on the ship for the most part.

I now know that I will only travel by car from now on.

And would you like to know what happened on the way back, in a packed 450-person flight? We got Covid. We are now sicker than a dog. Boy oh boy, the fun keeps rolling in.

Okay, I'm done whining now. I'll post some pictures when I finally go through all of them. Hugs, Patt.

The reply was:

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. If I ever went on a cruise, I'd be right there with you confined to the ship! My knees, hips, and back make it so that standing/walking for more than about 5 minutes can be excruciating. Actually, I've often thought about taking an Alaskan cruise and getting a balcony room and spending the whole time on the ship reading and writing. It'd be like a writer's retreat. Sucks when someone else is with you and you feel like you're bringing them down, though. Sorry you had to get Covid on top of everything else. I hope life eases up for you soon!

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[clavally]

I missed signups by about 2 minutes. She offered to open them back up, but I kinda took it as a sign to move forward with concentrating on drabbles this time around.

[pattrose]

Okay. They’re fun also. I love the drabbles.