Jet leg

Currently here in Darmstadt, Germany! I attemtped to go to bed for the night at 9PM - perhaps a mistake - because by 11:45 pm I am wide-awake. 

Time to write. Which I haven't been taking much of lately.

I was reminded today of "doing Europe Kristin things" and why this is important. To me, European travel and work has been synonymous with summer for - a while. If I were to get a major summer engagement, I would move the Europe time (in some way) but not give it up. 

For me, it is a beloved pilgrimage. 

I am being hosted by musicians-extraordinaire, colleagues, friends KO and PG (co-faculty members at UNM) in their lovely flat in Eberstadt. I arrived on Thursday and honestly have been practicing so much - I have not found the time yet to see Frankenstein castle or go to nearby cities by train. My concerts are both coming this week.

My husband calls it "jet leg" I think out of a mis-hearing - but his philosophy is that if you have many legs of a trip, the worse the jet leg. 

I can't say that I argue with him. But I'm relatively used to funny sleep patterns - they've plagued me all of my life. Now, I know enough to detach and to do something enjoyable in order to get back to sleep as soon as possible. 

PHOTO: The labyrinth in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA. A reminder that travel and music of all kinds is not necessary a direct path - but has "legs." Backturns, connections, jogs, swerves. Each (jet) leg teaches us a lesson.