Away We Go!

Although we’ve been married for nearly three months, the giddiness of our wedding day returns the moment my husband, Cory, and I pass through security at New Jersey’s Newark International Airport. After nearly a year of planning, we are officially on our honeymoon! And not a moment too soon. Before the wedding Cory and I scoffed at the convention of leaving on a trip immediately, but we’ve come to understand why people do it – getting married is tiring! And when you factor in our careers and the day-to-day stresses of living in New York City…let’s say we are ready for a break. The trip we’ve planned is perfect: active and educational and completely removed from our everyday life. I can’t wait.

My internal frame backpack has officially come out of retirement for this trip. I haven’t used it since 1997, when I spent some time traveling around Europe during a semester abroad in England. I’m somewhat self-conscious, and have wondered if it’s appropriate for a 33 year-old-woman to be travelling this way. Thankfully my concerns were put to rest the moment we arrive at the Costa del Sol, across the street from the Lima airport. The lobby is teeming with travelers and their backpacks – some of them a great deal older than us. Cory and I spend some time in the bar area, enjoying our complimentary pisco sours and chatting with other guests. I’m pleasantly surprised to see that many of them are married, and have been for years. And yet these couples are still enjoying each other’s company and taking adventures together. “This is the sort of life I wish for us,” I tell my new husband, before we order a second round.