Sunday, May 21, 2017

Columbus, Ohio

Often when I travel, I take lots of pictures. I focus on a place and share it with you. This trip was different. I went to Columbus, Ohio and, while I saw lots of the city during my two days here, my focus was on being with my friend Emma, not the town. So I took few photos. I hope you'll be satisfied with simply hearing I had a wonderful time.

Emma is one of the nicest people in the world. We enjoy each other's company immensely. Our conversation was non-stop, fluid and fun. Emma is smart and friendly so our encounter was effortless. She edits a local wedding magazine so she knows her town like a native. She took us to fabulous restaurants, art museums and city parks, narrating about the people and businesses. Wandering about, we were approached by a half-dozen people who greeted her with enthusiasm. Emma is a local celebrity whether she admits it or not.

Emma introduced me to her husband Matt whom she described as an exceptionally good person. Meeting him confirmed that -- he is a super guy. Here they are in Iceland...



I've known Emma for years from following her blog. She wrote regularly during a time when blogging helped her; then she switched jobs and found the blog no longer fit. After that, I kept touch with her through Facebook.

Until this trip, I'd never met Emma in person. Due to the distance, it wasn't easy for us to meet but I suspected Emma is an extraordinary human being so I made traveling to her a priority. I'm glad I did -- Emma is as terrific as I expected her to be.

Our rapport encouraged both of us to open up about personal subjects of serious importance. They will not be disclosed here but let me report that Emma helped me with some things that'd been troubling me. Her honest, intelligent feedback gave me clarity where there'd been confusion. I'm grateful for that. Our chats about political and social issues were really enjoyable since we share the same views.

When I was young, I read about a honey-based alcoholic drink called mead. It's mentioned in Beowulf and other books from the Middle Ages. For decades I wanted to try mead but never found it offered. Emma took us to a mead bar where I finally achieved my quest. I got a "flight" of five varieties of mead which was perfect because they range widely in flavor and sweetness.



In short, I had a great time. Friends as marvelous as Emma are worth traveling for!





17 comments:

  1. They have mead at all the Ren Fests!!!!!! Glad you had a great time and got to try a new yummy drink. You're whole trip, including wonderful talks, sounds amazing :)

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  2. Sounds like a fabulous time!

    Was the mead good?

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Delicious! Exactly like I expected -- flavorful with a range of sweetness. I like it better than wine or beer now.

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  3. "Trains, Planes and Automobiles". How did you travel. Seems a bit of a ride for the bike.
    Was any part of the trip dressed? Details, please.
    Pat

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  4. So glad you two got to meet! Great to have friends all over the country.

    Have a great week,
    -Kati
    Almost Stylish

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    1. Thanks. I hope to meet you someday so I can have "friends all over the" world!

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  5. Sounds like you had a great time--and drank mead!! We have tons of mead here in the PNW. It's very diverse in alcohol around these parts :) It's wonderful that you have such a wide network of friends!

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  6. I'm glad you had a great time. I always remember the story my college English II teacher told me about going on vacation. He said he would visit the Mona Lisa every chance he got, but as he got older, people would surround it to take pictures with their cell phones, but didn't stop to actually LOOK at the art itself.

    I try to stay conscious of that any time I experience anything new. I take pictures of things I DEFINITELY want to remember, as I am someone who does go back and look at old photos, but I also make sure to stay present in my experiences. I prefer to strike a balance between the two. Just enough for the memory, for example - the incredible meals we had in Philly, but also to embrace the conversation and exploration of new things.

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    1. You hit the nail on the head. When I'm traveling alone, I find photography brings me closer to my journey (and later allows me to share it with others) but when I'm with a friend, I put the camera away. Taking pictures interferes with my experience. In this one, I wanted to concentrate solely on Emma and am so glad I did. It was a rare opportunity to be with someone special.

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  7. How fun to meet up with a blogging friend!

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  8. So glad you were able to meet and that she provided some much-needed clarity in your life :) blog friends are the best. Also, I love that you went to a mead tasting!! Only sampled this at a ren fest and remember it being sweet but not much else--will have to look for it :) hugs!!

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  9. That is so lovely that you got to meet! Also glad that she could help you with the issues that were troubling you AND you knew to trust her with that. You are very perceptive about people!xx

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  10. If you said that you had an awesome time ... I believe you!!! I am so happy that you got to meet another of your friends in real life and boy is she gorgeous or what!!!

    It is always fulfilling when you meet someone who get you and can speak to your heart!

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