@Joe: Never been to Europe, but ever since I seen a show on those canal boats I have wanted to spend a few months cruising around on them.

@cherryblossom:
“What does it mean to be fully involved in life and non-attached?” I woke up this morning contemplating something very similar.
I thought to myself while I want growth, adventure, and deeper understanding, what I think I want most at the moment is a bit of contentment. You see the paradox here? “I, want, contentment.” I have also been reviewing the 4 noble truths espoused by Buddhism, the second of which is that the origin of suffering is craving and desire. So then, is it desiring and craving contentment that is leading to my inability to find it?
On another note, more in line with your question, I have often wondered if it is possible to live the same life without suffering. If we perhaps incarnated to experience “life”, then do we dilute that experience by living it “detached” to avoid the suffering it entails. Is it still a bowl of chili without any chili powder in it, or is it just bean soup?