Hey Olive:

Don’t know if you’ll be reading this. Maybe you’re gone from this thread for good, a thread you started 9 days ago (Oct 22), shared so.. so.. so much, and then.. gone 2 days later (Oct 24).

In case you’re reading: last you shared, you wanted to Travel AND you want to Preserve the relationship with Sam.

Sam seems less invested in travelling than you are, somewhat fearful perhaps of the Europe travel, finding comfort in his small-town familiarity (?)

No wonder you feel the way you do. You wanted a travel adventure to Europe with your boyfriend. Instead, you are stuck in his small town (USA)?

Obviously, a clear, factual conversation is needed to take place between you and Sam (has it already taken place)?

Questions that need to be answered:

* What is the actual timeline for travel?

* How committed is Sam to that vision?

* What concrete steps are being taken?

* How long are you, Olive, realistically willing to wait?

* What would need to happen before Sam feels ready to go?

* How much money does Sam want to save before leaving?

* Is he thinking months, a year, or longer? What timeline feels realistic to him?

Interestingly, you said that you’re considering traveling solo. This is just what I did so many years ago, first, at 24 years old. I started with London, no planning. Walked a whole lot… Luxemburg is so small, I think I walked through the whole tiny country. Brussels: there was a train/ transportation strike when I was there (1985), so I walked and hitchhiked to France. Tried to leave Paris ASAP once I got there.

I can’t imagine doing what I did if I was not traveling solo.

Hoping to read from you again, Olive.

Anita