Ahh..Nothing like the right book at the right time. "The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton. I finally got around to reading yesterday while Veronika took a nap..parked myself in a big chair by the window with a splash of Blue Curacao as brilliant as the Carribean sky itself..and off to Barbados I was, recounting all the island trips I ever took, all in one big sun-drenched flash, but that wasn't the point..I read the essay in one breath marveling at how in tune it was with the way I feel when I travel or want to travel.. the intimate, intricate web of desires and worries and anticipation..this whole elusive "living in the moment" thing -- it can't be done for any sustainable lenght of time, it just can't, not in the real world, not by a living, thinking human being -- we're never there, but how we long for this precious standstill..Its too conditional, yes..and all it is really is playing catch with your own wondering mind...Love this book, highly recommend it..
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0375420827/ref=sib_dp_pt/105-9815959-2553201#reader-line