smop - Sonia Moppett

No I am not orange, or a throw back from a 70's childrens tv programme. I know it's tacky but the zipster has travelled around the world with me for years...it's hard to break the habit and has now become a ritual of sorts. Hi how are you? My name is Sonia and I'm from the UK. From an early age I have always been interested in travel and whilst most of my friends used their spare money to buy clothes, shoes and going out on Friday and Saturday nights - I spent my cash on holidays to exotic and distant lands. I was also quite lucky on the work front and was allowed to take off a month at a time. During my travels I met many interesting people, and I have alway been green with envy at those taking a year off to travel. Well now at the grand old age of 36 I have finally managed to pluck up the courage to jack in my job, sell my house, say goodbye to my friends and family and leave for an adventure of epic proportions. Michael Palin eat your heart out!.........Firstly I am starting my adventure on the 21st May 2008 with a little 40 week trip from Alaska to Rio. I then plan to go on to Nepal, Tibet, China & Japan. Followed by adventures in Oz and Africa - All in all I hope to be away for at least a couple of years.
To be honest giving it all up wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Where as a lot of my friends my age are settling down and having children - this has never appealled to me.....in fact I have always run kicking and screaming from any type of 'normality'. I often look at these people and wonder why they are happy in their small and compact lives. There is a quote that I like.....'the more you travel, the bigger the world seems'. I cannot remember who said it, but it has always stuck with me....
I have no idea whether this trip will answer all those questions I have burning inside me or whether it will make me a better person inside....but at least I will have a darn good time finding out! ;-)

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Joined on: February 27th 2008
Last Login: May 9th 2008

Blog Entries: 4
Photos: 141

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by smop, order by Date newest first.

By smop
May 9th 2008

Savannah - Southern Charm

North America » United States » Georgia » Savannah

Savannah Paddle Boat

Well here I am in Savannah, Georgia.....a place full of charm. It's a beautiful city made up of tree lined streets and shady squares. You can almost imagine the ladies of many years ago having picnics and entertaining their southern gentleman. As you walk through the historical district the smell of jasmine and honeysuckle lingers through the air. People here speak with a southern drawl which is pleasing to listen to. By noon the sun beats down and most people seek refuge in one of the 21 dappled squares. This place has been the setting for a number of famous films [View Full Entry]

By smop
May 6th 2008

Washington DC - Museums and The Mall

North America » United States » District of Columbia » Washington

Whitehouse 6

As I made my way to the William Penn House, I was unsure what laid instore for me. I knew before I booked this accomodation that it wasn't your average hostel. This hostel was run by Quakers - now I am not really knowledgeable about the Quaker religion.....but their office hours were 8am to 9pm, they have morning prayer (silent meditation) at 7.30am and quiet hours from 10pm to 8am. As you can imagine it wasn't really a hotbed of sin and debauchery. I was expecting a recruitment drive, but fortunately, none was forthcoming. The building and garden had anti war [View Full Entry]

By smop
May 2nd 2008

Boston Tea Party

North America » United States » Massachusetts » Boston

hooker

Well here I am in Boston. It's an unusual place after coming from New York. The sky line has the occassional sky scraper and it is desperately trying to cling on to what heritage it has. The city has a sort of yellow brick road running through it (well it's not actually yellow or a road). It's called the Freedom Trail and it's like a treasure hunt of American history (as you can expect this doesn't take that long). Now I don't know very much about American History (a contradiction in terms if you ask me!) but it appears that some [View Full Entry]

By smop
April 28th 2008

The Big Apple - New York, New York

North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan

Chrysler Building

It's been almost 6 years since I was in New York. Last time I was here it was shortly after 9/11 and the mood of the city was totally different. The atmosphere was subdued, insular and people were in a hurry to get to their destination. Now people are more friendly and relaxed - there are more people on the streets. Helicopters once banned from the city, now fly at their non stop speed ferrying passengers for the ultimate birds eye view of New Yorks skyline. What has struck me the most, is that although the city has limited open spaces, [View Full Entry]