Traveling with a Stufftie

Posted on January 26, 2013 by tofrance2013

“Are we taking Harold?” The question came.

“Of course…why?”

We could tell that Nelson wasn’t sure about three reasonably normal adult people traveling with a stuffed critter in another country, where they might not get the joke. It’s true, we make a bit of a sight, hauling our big fat American luggage along, computer bags and duffels over our shoulders, with Harold comfortably bungeed to the back of Bridgett’s backpack.

But everywhere we’ve been, Harold has made friends and started conversations, some consisting only of smiles and pats, which cross all language barriers. Children in airports have walked over to introduce their stuffed animals to Harold. Elderly folks have waved sweetly as we passed. Harold is our introduction, our passport, our letter of “we-come-in-peace.”

Traveling without him would seem awful formal and lonely.

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Harold’s first trip

Posted on January 26, 2013 by tofrance2013
Harold making new friends

Harold making new friends in London

In 2010, Harold got his first taste of Europe. We started our trip in Jolly Ol’ England. The jet lag is always a horrible deal… funny, it didn’t seem to bother Harold much.

Harold makes friends rather easily, wherever he goes. It’s part of his sweet stufftie nature. Here he is chatting up some of the locals.

As part of our London sojourn, we made efforts to visit as many pubs as we could and try things we’d never had before. Nelson read about a Lemon Shandy in a Tom Holt novel, and of course, we had to try. It’s an interesting combination… but for me, I can say I’ve had it, and I don’t need to ask a barkeep for another. Harold, on the other hand, would.

Harold tries his first lemon shandy

Harold tries his first lemon shandy

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Here we go again

Posted on January 22, 2013 by tofrance2013

Once again, Harold is taking us to France.

Someone once said that half the fun of traveling was the planning… the anticipation. With a firm belief in that wisdom, we are currently enjoying the first half of our trip.  Flights have been booked and some accommodations planned, but we are still checking hotel rates, train schedules and rental car companies. By “We”, we mean Nelson, king of logistics. New attractions keep popping up as we read more about our intended destinations, so plans need to be a bit fluid, but we don’t want to get stuck somewhere without a bed.

Harold is looking forward to the plane ride…he loves the clouds.

Over England

Over England

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