With each new year of explorations, I invariably reflect on past adventures. Regardless of where I go and how I get there, road trip or skyward, one constant takeaway is my infinite appreciation for our divergent, complex, evolving, magnificent planet. All things novel and unusual never fail to delight and inspire. Diving into new cultures, I’ve discovered that smiles overcome language challenges, gentle manners conquer socially awkward moments, a helping hand inspires goodwill, compliments reciprocate kindness.
My mind is an open suitcase waiting to be filled with new exploits. Yet, odd as it sounds, I enjoy staying put. When grounded, I embrace the pensive wanderer within and take time to savor the blizzard of rich experiences. Clacking away in my home office or lounging in my sunroom with Rennie, my trusty Golden, I’m surrounded by countless souvenirs, reminders of idyllic memories, friendships made.
Having visited over 50 countries across 6 continents (and counting!), I’ve had tremendous good travel fortune, with rare flight disruptions and few adverse itinerary adjustments. I’m a confident solo traveler. Translating these adventures into relatable stories requires quiet surroundings. At home base, my comfort compass is an outdoor sanctuary, a wooded repose with a leafy roof, fringed by seasonal flora, splendid reminders of Provence’s rainbow colors in Spring, Kenya’s nourishing, healing shambas, Ireland’s infinite emerald terrain. Adventure posters, airline branded flight bags, assorted wooden and ceramic native creations from Africa to Central and South America, plus framed photos galore I’ve amassed serve as my international cocoon I wake up to every day. Smiling. I’m silently trekking, pondering new journeys. I gobble up articles on attractive future destinations, leaning on familiar resources ~ BBC Travel, Condé Nast, Rick Steves ~ which illuminate and energize.
I’m a curious, adaptable vagabond, one who’s learned to rise to surprises. I’ve been detoured by nameless roads in Ireland, boarded wrong boats in Italy, navigated labor strikes in Paris, missed a bus in Athens, and surrounded by armed men (good guys) in Guatemala. It all worked out just fine.
On the lighter side, I’ve discovered that joining in communal activities sparks human connections...sitting at a picnic table with locals to sample that puzzling new food (octopus ceviche), lacing up for an exhausting climb with like minded hoofers (Mount Vesuvius), or simply starting a conversation with fellow travelers. How often we are graced with new friendships begun with a few kind words! Such gifts we carry forward.
Digital tools facilitate social encounters. I use a language app to glean some basics and master a few pleasantries in local lingo. Making this effort both assists in negotiating new terrain and goes a long way toward creating our own positive experiences. Like it or not, we are cultural ambassadors when we we leave home. Adapting to and honoring social norms are acts of humility and respect.
Where to next? Plans are afoot. Travel is a powerful tool of social impact and positive change, teaching us lessons we'd otherwise never learn. May we all wander thoughtfully with cheerful spirits and open hearts.
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