In the profound words of John Lennon, written on his honeymoon in Paris in 1969, his anguish is clear in “The Ballad of John and Yoko” as the couple tried to travel from Holland to France.

“… you know it ain’t easy.
You know how hard it can be…” 

John penned those words when he was 28 years old. He was young…We are not!

As older adults in our 9^th decade, I can testify that getting from here to there ‘AIN’T EASY.’

The summer after college I EU railed through Europe with few dollars but an excess of youthful energy. My friends and I were not above sleeping on trains and using grimy bathrooms down the hall in hostels. We explored Western Europe, exchanged currencies at every border, ate in local dives, dated cute tour guides who wooed us with words we couldn’t understand. Seeing the other side of the world was eye-opening, leading to a wanderlust and desire to explore all the edges of the planet.

Learning about our cultural distinctions, visiting landmarks while communicating through the language of hand gestures feeds the soul of this traveler. From planes, trains, ships and automobiles, each new destination confirms that it is ‘a small world after all’.

While my awe of travel has remained, my enthusiasm for executing my worldly dreams is challenged. Third World countries are still an exotic vision, but reality has set in.

While packing for a journey, I now feel a variety of concerns. “Are there good medical services if we get sick? Do we have the right converter? What about chargers for our devices? Should we pack our daily pills, cold medicine, digestive tablets, eye drops in our carry-on in case the luggage gets lost? “

Caution goes with older adults.

Recently we traveled from San Diego, California to Dubai, UAE. The trip was 8,412 miles but felt like a trip to the moon. After two airport layovers and waiting hours, schlepping luggage, then sitting in confined spaces designed for a 7-year-old, we were exhausted. Through the following three sleepless nights at home, my legs jerked me awake with cramps, driving me to hop around the room like a hungry rabbit in a lettuce patch.

“I know how hard it can be.”  

I’m not complaining. I am merely stating facts. Years lived are more than numbers.

Our adventure began on the security line at the airport. My spouse was suspiciously ‘wanded’, his arms lifted overhead, like a captured fugitive. This 80+ year old with more titanium body parts than originals, was a bionic marvel flashing red on the scanner.

Finally cleared, we waited to board the plane. We climbed the steep stairs and squeezed into narrow spaces in economy class, next to the bathrooms.

Grin and bear it we told ourselves…only twenty-four hours and two connections to go.

Over the loud hum of the plane like packed sardines, we tried to relax.

Hours passed in slow motion. Periodic bathroom visits in the tiny closet meant squatting with knees knocking against the adjacent sink. The tiny pack of four pretzels and soda offered barely counted as a snack. Entertainment onscreen was often interrupted by PA announcements.

We soldiered on.

One flight down. Our connecting gates meant taking shuttles, people movers, escalators, then walking to far terminals. We easily completed 10,000 suggested daily steps for optimum health while dragging carry-on luggage.

A 12-hour time difference between California and the United Arab Emirates was brutal. In short, night was day and day was night. Yesterday or tomorrow?

When we finally arrived, we just wanted transportation to our hotel and sleep. The Greet and Go lounge at DXB airport was a sample of the incredible hospitality we would be treated to on the entire trip. Young, bearded men, dressed in stark white abayas and head coverings, at once welcomed us. Using laptops, with bright smiles and perfect English, they asked us if we were meeting tour leaders. Our positive response initiated an immediate text to ground operators who arrived shortly to transfer us to our hotel.

The ride to the hotel was enough to renew our energy while opening our eyes to the incredible Dubai architecture visible in the illuminated skyline. We entered our elegant hotel and settled in for a much-needed sleep.

The following morning we boarded a bus for a city tour. Dubai was more advanced in every way than we expected. Ads we had seen in travel magazines and on television had not done justice to this city of contradictions. The traditional dress of abayas in this Moslem country reflected modesty and coverage while the kaftans are shapelier and allow for creativity in sleeve style. Every other aspect of the city defied the past.

We marveled as we rode by the Burq Al Arab, one of the tallest hotels in the world with a unique white sail shape on the white sand Jumeirah Beach. The wave shaped luxury Jumeirah Beach hotel, situated nearby, complements the Burq Al Arab in design along the coast of the Persian Gulf.

The elevator at the Burq Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, climbed 126 floors. We marveled at the view of the modernistic city below. The following days were filled with the unique culture of an advanced Muslim country. Whirlwind touring made time fly by, then slow down simultaneously as exhaustion kicked in each night.

A dinner cruise on the Dubai Marina as the sun set was an unforgettable experience. With the exotic taste of local cuisine spread in buffet style on the deck, the exquisitely illuminated high-rises created a picture that was worthy of Travel and Leisure Magazine.

We passed by the Ain Dubai, the largest and the tallest observation wheel as it circled round and the lights glowed off the water at Bluewaters Island.

The splendor of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque took my breath away. Majestic in every aspect, this 8^th largest mosque in the Arab world is a setting for the United Arab Emirate’s Islamic cultural heritage. Magnificent Swarovski crystal chandeliers sparkled, and floral mosaics made of semi-precious stones covered 1096 marble columns. Gold, silver, and shiny marble floors add elegance to the huge space that can accommodate 40,000 worshippers at any one time. Eleven clocks in the inner halls are shaped like flowers and inlaid with pearls. Prayer time is shown in a flashing digital display. This is truly a testament to the founder of the United Arab Emeritus, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Each day our eyes opened to this friendly country. Our bucket list adventure topped many others. Our photos showed exotic sites but missed the warm feelings of friendliness, fresh smells and tastes, and cultural submersion in this amazing country.

It was time to journey home. After three long flights and 36 hours, we almost arrived home. With luggage in tow, we headed for our car.

It was dark as we approached the driveway and we saw our home security light flash on. Familiar surroundings gave us comfort. We had lost or gained a day and a half-we weren’t sure which. We dropped in bed, warmed by old sheets and soft blankets, a snoring dog, and the smell of home.

Suddenly I was wide awake. Where I was. Dubai? Newark? Denver? Home? I glanced at the clock illuminating 2:30 am. I stared at the ceiling for the next two hours.

After a few days of brain fog, the memories kicked in.

The United Arab Emirates was magical. In hindsight the extensive hours and forever flights were soon forgotten. Our photos told the story of this exotic country.

John Lennon was right. “You know it ain’t easy.”   

But it was well worth the effort…and the memories are priceless treasures.

Suzi Schultz Gold, a native of San Diego, California was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. She retired after exploring multiple careers including marketing, teaching, travel and now  finds joy writing ‘Slice of Life” essays.

She discovered the joy of writing post-retirement. Her writing reflects a slice of life during her ‘third act’ , from the lighter side.

With her forever partner, her husband of 56 years, days are filled sharing joy with her daughter and son-in-law and their twin baby girls.

Spare time is spent reading, writing, working out, Pickleball, Book Club, Mahjong, and keeping in touch with her son, daughter-in-law, and three perfect grandchildren in New York.

She is a proud new author in the latest collection of Chicken Soup For the Soul, in 3rd Act Magazine and Grand Magazine online. She is still eager to learn, improve, and live life to the fullest.

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