I am autistic and I have fairly significant sensory processing dysfunctions. Whenever I conduct trainings or publicly speak I hear time and time again how I need to share my writings, stories, and insights through blogging. So, in light of my recent honeymoon I though what better way to start then to share how a newly married couple navigated a 3 week backpacking excursion in the UK and Europe. Grab some English tea and Belgium chocolates, sit back, and enjoy as I chronicle my adventures abroad (which includes me ending up in the back of a police car in Prague, stabbing William’s foot with a fondue fork, being mistook for the Royal couple Harry and Meghan, tip toeing across a broken bridge with over a thousand foot drop below to view the Cinderella Castle, and more!).
This first blog is more of an introduction of what will follow.
Backpacking for three weeks is not an easy feat for anyone but it can be especially hard for someone who requires routine, struggles with communication, has an overly sensitive central nervous system, doesn’t like to be still, etc…
Now, honeymoons are supposed to be romantic and exciting-full of sex, fun, and adventure! The days leading up to it are often filled with excitement. However, for us it was filled with worry. I’ve never travelled abroad and with a chronic history of wandering and getting lost William and my parents were terrified about the possibility of this in Europe. One of the first memories my parents have of William is when one night he anxiously arrived at their front door, looked up at my dad and said “sir, I am sorry but I think I’ve lost your daughter.” My dad’s reply was simply “don’t worry she’ll find her way back.”
So, from the start there was worry all around. As a matter of fact we almost cancelled our honeymoon because of the uncertainty of how I’d do with my autism symptoms on such a trip. Surprisingly though I did pretty well; and our trip WAS filled with sex, fun, and adventure-as it was supposed to be! We did however have to take my autism and sensory difficulties into consideration throughout every step of our journey. From packing our bags to riding on planes (trains, busses, underground…) to finding places to eat to navigating the busy cities and wilderness. We started our journey in Tampa FL and thankfully we also ended in Tampa FL! During those three weeks however we visited Edinburgh Scotland, Innsbrook Austria, Ghent Belgium, Prague Czech, Munich Germany, London England, and Venice Italy.
I am not going to chronicle my adventures in order, instead in future blog posts I will pick a few topics to cover and stories to share including:
- -EEEK, icy showers and a dyspraxia wife!
- – Lost
- -The tortures of sitting still
- -Unexpected
- -Eating disorder recovery, trying new things, and delicious Belgium chocolates.
- -Pot eating and food challenges
- -Schedules, routines, and accommodating autism
- -No more leaf blowers
- -Packing woes
- -Chocolate toes
- -Say what? Autism communication and foreign language barriers
- -Our favorites