Good to see your post.

It'll be cold in November, you'll probably be working. For now you could eat, sleep, pray and drink in moderation 'cuz it's your vacay time, isn't it? What about that very original journal thing that you were doing a while ago? This could be the time to come up with really personal project of yours again, it could be as dark as you wish it to be as long as you don't make that our reality. The dreadful saga continues, optimism is overrated or wasted, don't know what people do with that sort of thing to be honest. You could try to weave a sphere of your own not to be defensive but to be open, I just hope you've been dealing fine with the strange feeling that you described here.

May you walk in sunshine and your heart be light on your trip.
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.

Cherish the moment with everyone you meet, have a safe trip.