In my view: High Holidays across the time zones

Have you ever woken up in a panic wondering where you are and what day it is? You wake up and frantically look around at your surroundings trying to remember where you are and what you’re doing there – as if you should really be somewhere else! That’s how I experienced last month on my travels.
I know that the High Holidays can be stressful and a blur for many people, but compound that with traveling, both for business and pleasure, and you can find yourself completely disoriented. I should be thankful for my job as Marketing Director at OU Kosher, which gives me the opportunity to travel for work, attending national and international food shows to meet potential clients, but indulge me as I share with you my whirlwind month-long travel adventure.
I began by emptying my entire closet on my bed for every possible situation, including weather changes, holidays, work and leisure. My first stop would be Miami for Rosh Hashana, where I would visit with my children and grandchildren. In New York it was a beautiful 70 degrees so I packed my light Yom Tov clothes. Wouldn’t you know it, the weather in Miami was a 90 degrees steam bath for all three days. Thank goodness I brought two summer outfits, but who wants to arrive in shul on Rosh Hashana looking like a wet rag. I was grateful for the beginning of the New Year, but I was even more grateful for air conditioning.
From Miami, I flew home to New York for two days, giving me enough time to finish packing for my next trip to Belgium. I would be spending Yom Kippur in Antwerp as my business meetings were scheduled for the following day in Cologne, Germany. Belgium in October was gray, cloudy and rainy. I arrived early in the morning the day before Erev Yom Kippur giving me just enough time to adjust to the time difference and scurrying to find a warmer coat than the one I’d brought from home. Everyone told me to layer clothing, but sometimes you just need a coat to keep you warm. I know what you’re thinking, any excuse to shop, but honestly, I was cold! Yom Kippur was rainy and gray, but the famous Chazzan Miller of the Van der Ness shul, was extremely inspiring and moving.