Thursday, May 1, 2014

Go Crochet Crazy Goes on the Road

It's that time of year once again, when vacationers from the US travel overseas to fulfill their dreams of experiencing parts of Europe. They have waited to ascend the Alps and look down into the valleys below. They delight in walking cobblestone streets trod upon by people from hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. They leave having learned more about the history than they ever expected, and they find out that travel is one of the best ways to learn about the world and about themselves.

In my work as a tour director from late spring through early autumn, I am lucky enough to help these people fulfill their travel dreams. This Saturday, I leave for my first tour and can hardly wait for the season to begin. Between now and the end of September, I will be fortunate enough to see and share my passion with guests for places like Munich, Germany and Neuschwanstein Castle. I'll lead older adults and families through the countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland (my favorite country), Italy and Lichtenstein. For someone who's been infected with wanderlust since she was a child, being able to do this is a dream come true.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany, the Bavarian Region
If you've been following the Go Crochet Crazy blog for a while now, you know my motto is "Have yarn, will travel". The thought of going a day without crocheting even a few stitches is, well, unthinkable. To me, crochet is like breathing. No matter how busy the day is, there's always five minutes to wrap the yarn around my fingers and, hook in hand, get lost in creativity.

For the month of May, I'll be tour directing through Germany, starting on the Central West border, making a U-shape down into Bavaria and coming back up to historical Berlin. My very patient, supportive boyfriend will keep the home front going until I return for a two-week break before heading out again.

During that time, I will continue to blog (you can't get rid of me that easily!) and hope you won't mind me interspersing a few travel photos in with my crochet bits. My trusty crochet bag will be coming along with me, filled with several skeins of cotton yarn. Since there won't be time or space in my suitcase for any large projects, I intend to spend the whatever time I have to crochet on making spa cloths or potholders for Christmas gifts.

My crochet bag





Having a bag full of yarn and WIPs nearby makes me happy.
Although there are times when I wish I could be at home, sleep in past 6am and be responsible for no one but me, I wouldn't trade the opportunity to be a tour director for any comforts or conveniences. Not only am I living a dream, but I have the honor of helping others realize their dreams. And that makes it all worth while.

So, it will soon be time to hit the road! I'd love to hear about some of your travels and travel dreams. What's your favorite place that you've visited? Where would you like to go that you haven't been yet? I'm sending good thoughts and wishes that you get there. :)

7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post, Mary! Your tour guide job sounds very nice and like lots of fun. I would love to see those places you mentioned, and more, but I did just return last night from my NYC visit to see our oldest son, which is precious to me. Since it was only for a few days and I was taking the bus to get there and back, I only wanted to bring one overnight carry-on bag on the bus. While I was packing I started to laugh because I actually found myself removing items just so my yarn take-a-long could fit! By the way, while I was there I made him a set of 6 coasters from your coaster pattern :) Then we found this beautiful yarn shop and I bought 2 skeins of a color I just had to have. I found myself downsizing my overnight bag once again to fit my yarn purchase for the bus ride home! So that's my funny travel bag story and now a wonderful memory of a really nice visit. :)

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  2. How exciting, I can't wait to hear all about your travel adventures and of course the crochet has to go too, I always take mine along with me. :)

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  3. Don't mind it at all to see your travelpictures!! I've been to Neuschwanstein once and it's one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen!
    Such a nice job to guide people around Europe! I hope you have a great summer!
    Liz

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  4. I look forward to your yarn will travel stories and your pictures from along the way Mary, great post xx

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  5. Wow Mary, how exciting! I do have the perfect job. My family and I LOVE traveling and my daughter and I love Europe too. One of my favorites is Switzerland too and I have been there twice since my husbands Aunt and Uncle and his cousins live there. We went 2 summers ago and it's so pretty in the mountains and in Zurich. Have a blast and I hope you post a lot of photos.
    Julie

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  6. I'd love to see your pictures.
    I'd quite like to go to Germany and see the Nurbergring and the castles, I'd also love to go to the US, as I would LOVE to go to Walmart and Joann's and all those wonderful places for yarn and accessories.
    I also have some wonderful people there I'd love to visit.
    :)

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  7. Isn't it wonderful to have a job that allows you to fulfill your dreams by helping others fulfill theirs!
    Thank you for asking me to share my recent post with this wonderful afghan stitch!
    http://livingwellwithsuziq.blogspot.com/2014/04/interlocking-rows-free-crochet-afghan.html

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