Aventura, Florida
October 1, 2004

Dear Family and Friends,

I am off again on a new adventure. On Sunday, October 10, I am leaving Miami for an extended trip to The Balkans and The Adriatic. I will return home on December 1.

Albania. Italy. Croatia. Slovenia. Since I expect to visit many new places, I have been especially "planful." Some of my friends and neighbors are concerned about my safety and my adventurous attitude. These concerns are sincere and I do respect everyone's thoughts on these matters. I have done some research and I am feeling confident that I will be OK. Maybe the "facilities" in Albania will be a little old fashioned. But, hey, a small price to pay to visit exotic lands. Now I will tell you a secret about your friend Jan.

I admit I am feeling lots of anxiety. This is quite normal for me as I begin a trip...any trip. Some of the anxiety is about separation from familiar surroundings and friends and family. Much of the anxiety refers to the unknown...Will I see what I want to see? Will I have enough time? Will I be able to coordinate public transportation with my itinerary?

Of course there are many other unknowns, but, again, I feel confident about them:

Can I communicate? I am great at charades.

Will I get lost? I always do...several times. My secret is to find someone, look very sad and helpless and at the same time point to my map. It works every time.

Will I be able to read a menu? Probably not. But some touristic places do have English and/or German translations.

Will I be able to eat the local food? Maybe. Maybe not. Besides, it wouldn't kill me to lose a few kilos. Sure, sure...fat chance. I have been reading about the specialty pastries of Slovenia...nuts, raisins, lots of cream!!

That's all for now. I will do my best to keep you informed of my progress.

I wish you all a beautiful autumn, and to my American friends, "Happy Thanksgiving." I promise I will celebrate, wherever I am. 
.........

Monday 
October 11, 2004

Dear Family and Friends,

Surprise! Perhaps you are thinking, "A letter so soon?"

From Tirane?...Dubrovnik?...Zagreb?... Ljubljana?

Well, sad to report, I am writing this letter from bed! At home, in Miami, Florida, in the good old US of A!!

To make a long story short, I awoke Sunday morning with a recurrence of an attack of excruciating pain radiating from my buttocks down to my right thigh. (Yeah, yeah. A real pain in the ass!)

Two weeks ago was the first episode. The doctor gave me a shot, some pills and I did recover, until yesterday.

So, I decided to postpone my trip, see the doc again, and rest. Yes, Tirane will still be there. And I ask you, "What is the quality of medical care in the mountains of Albania or Macedonia?"

Years ago, I taught, and learned a lot from a course in Time Management: "What if your colleague keeps you waiting for a meeting? What if your customer, or client or patient cancels an appointment?" Look on the bright side; you have been given "The Gift of Time."

So, I have given myself the gift of time. Bach"s Preludes, Chopin"s Nocturnes and Schubert"s Impromptus are beckoning. First drafts of letters, unread magazines, half-read books, and the hot tub all await my attention. My Absentee Ballot for the November 2 election will arrive this week.

When I am ready, I will simply extract the handle from my packed and locked luggage-on-wheels, and roll on out of here.

In my last letter I said, "I will keep you informed of my progress." Well, my dear friends, "my progress" has a different meaning right now.

As the poet once said, "Life is what happens while you are making other plans." 
.........

Aventura, Florida
Friday 
October 29, 2004

My airplane ticket arrived this morning:

Miami-Detroit-Tokyo-Bangkok. I depart on November 3.

Yes, I am repacked: woolen socks, slacks and sweaters have been replaced with cotton, no-iron polo shirts, swim trunks and sun block.

The Balkans will have to wait. Last time I looked it was snowing in Ljubljana. It's about 88F (30C) on the strand in Ko Samui, Thailand.

Yes, I am well. The pain in my leg has disappeared thanks to rest, a variety of medications and liberal Jacuzzi therapy. I am bringing along a lightweight collapsible aluminum hiking stick and a mini-pharmacy, just in case. I will have to rely on my charm, wit and good looks for any additional therapy, as needed.

I decided to be a little less "planful" this time.

After some beach time in the south, I expect to wander in northeast and central Thailand: Buddhist monuments, mountains and national parks. From Chiang Mai, I can fly to Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Perhaps there to stroll among ancient shrines and to float down The Ayeyarwady River to Yangon (Rangoon). Then, I am open to suggestions.

You can imagine that I was disappointed when I had to postpone my trip to Europe. Yet I do believe that the disappointment came more from my rational self than my emotional nature.

The moment I hung up the telephone with my travel agent after requesting a ticket to Thailand, I could feel my face light up and my body respond with unrestrained glee. I am so happy to return to "The Land of Smiles" - a wonderful Kingdom of warmth and beauty. Perhaps my second home.

And so my dear friends, on the eve of this departure to undetermined destinations, I wish you and your families a colorful autumn and a cheerful holiday season.

Love,

Jan

PS Please don"t ask me when or from which direction I shall return.

The air coupon to Bangkok is one-way!