Don't Shoot the Messenger

3 - more courage than sense

* edited 

Claire's POV

 How much of my life can I live on fast forward before I die? I've heard of bucket lists, and this seems the time to make one of my own. My college fund can be put to another use...living until life runs out.

I always wanted to travel:  Paris, Bollywood, Japanese temples, tropical islands... I can skip Antarctica, but there are 6  other continents worth seeing. I make a list and roll a dice to see which one I will visit first. 

Passport photos are easy, digging out my birth certificate and other documents.... Even paying an extra fee to rush the processing so that I can travel soon, it will take weeks to get my passport. I spend time looking at travel brochures and reading up on how to travel Europe (and other places) on the cheap.

I had an ear for languages since I was a kid, and our High School required foreign languages for 2 years. Everyone else was picking Spanish, but I heard enough of that growing up. I wasn't as fluent reading it, but spoken Spanish was not a big deal. I took French instead. I don't speak French that well. I can ask for directions to the bathroom, count my change and say Please and Thank You. I can actually do better than that. The fact that I was trying would be appreciated and most of what I meant to say would get across. English, French and German are some of the most widely spoken languages in Europe, so that would help.

   It is almost winter though, and that seems the wrong time of year to see Europe. Wouldn't most places be better to visit in spring and summer there? Switzerland...I think of skiing and winter sports. I don't want to break a leg or something... I never learned such things. Do I want to? Will I have another winter to try them...?  

  I google winter tourism in Europe to see if anything catches my eye. Munich Germany has Christmas Markets (no to shopping. I can travel light. I don't need to waste money on stuff I can't take with me- only memories.  

Switzerland boasts great views, snow sports, Swiss chocolate and cheese. (Food travel - yum.) Experimenting with new flavors, an adventure in taste. I already love chocolate. Belgium advertises bell ringing concerts, horse drawn carriage rides, and chocolate connoisseurs. (OK that made my list)   

Italy in winter means fewer crowds ...less tourists and more 'culture'. Amsterdam Netherlands ...more mention of shopping. There are canal side walks and warm Nutella-stuffed crepes. Nutella is not my thing. If I want something chocolaty, I prefer chocolate.    Venice ... hmmm didn't I read something elsewhere about how the canals can smell bad in the summer? Winter may be a better time to visit. There is a carnival from about the end of January to mid-February. (I should make sure to go.)

  Prague looks pretty illuminated with lights but doesn't catch my eye that much. Lots of places seem to have similar displays. Barcelona Spain has ice rinks, architecture and fondue restaurants. (YES). Belgium advertises bell ringing concerts, horse drawn carriage rides, and chocolate connoisseurs. (OK that made my list.) Austria has candied fruits, roasted chestnuts, hot punch and spectacular baked goods... (another win for traveling on my stomach). 

  There is no point in studying, except to try to calm my unquiet thoughts before I try to sleep. I research interesting places to go and how to stay out of trouble while traveling. What international banks have a lot of branches overseas, and where. I pick at the details and try to prepare myself for what may be my last adventure. I show up for my classes, but my heart isn't in it. I'm biding my time until the passport comes, and I can get airline tickets. 

Greg broke a couple of fingers in a car door. He has been edgy, canceling study sessions and almost avoiding me. Today he cornered me and his face was intense when he tried again to find out what was wrong with me. He insisted he knew I was in some kind of trouble and that he wanted to help. He said he can't help if he doesn't know what's going on. "You're in danger, Claire. I know it. Please let me help. Who... " He bites his lip and looks around, hesitating when he sees that someone else came in. Could he know about Them? How? He could get killed if he finds out... "Stay out of this, OK? Don't get mixed up in my problems. I don't want you to get hurt." I almost run away from him after that.