The Unforgettable Europe Trip

June 2017: My next consulting assignment was to Europe- Lyon, Athens and Tallinn.

All packed up, in my euphoria , I was looking at the clock.

I was all set to fly in 3 hours when my phone rang. It was my supervisor.

“The trip could be called off. Hang-on for my next instruction”.

Ouch! I booked 3 days of non-refundable hotel in Paris worth 700€. I had not anticipated this. Restless, I walked back and forth, gazing at my phone.

Finally, a green signal! I regained my enthusiasm and without much ado left for the airport.

It was now at the boarding-gate waiting to fly in 15minutes. And Lo, another call from my supervisor ! My heart started pounding . My first instinct was to not pick this call and fly instead. Anyway , I received the call . To my relief, the project plan was still -on.

I reached Lyon next day and checked-in the hotel. Only to my disappointment, I learnt that the project was cancelled and was asked to return the next day. I travelled several thousand miles away - only for this. There was no certainty that the plan to Athens and Tallinn would stay on or deferred indefinitely.

I spoke to my supervisor and took few days off to explore Paris, while I continued to wait for the next project confirmation.

From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the historic Louvre Museum, novel Notre-Dame to spectacular Champs-Élysées, magnificient Sacré-Cœur to renowned Palace of Versailles, charming Montmartre to panoramic Montparnasse, I covered it all.

Destiny smiled on me. Yes, my Athens and Tallinn assignment was approved as well.

When I reached Athens, to my amazement, Switzerland was also added to my itinerary. Wow - I couldn’t have asked for more!!

I was wrapping things at Athens, and another twist!! I was asked to stay back in Athens for another day and cancel my Switzerland trip.. What a heart-ache !!

I made some time to visit the world-famous archaeological site , Parthenon and the vast Temple of Olympian Zeus. Next, I flew to Tallinn.

Things went more smoothly than I expected this time- the assignment signed-off a day before the delivery date. The last day was full of fanfare – visit to Tallinn Tv tower, leisurely stroll across the streets , and trying the palatable Medieval cuisine.

Finally, I boarded the plane to home – an indelible trip it had been!!