“The World is a Book, and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only A Page” OOXX

JUMPING AROUND THE WORLD: 160 days, 15 countries, 28 commuter flights, 2 prop planes in the delta, 100+ hours on planes, 3 oceans crossed, 1 helicopter ride, at least 10 new friends, overland/ overnight trains, a sleeper bus, 4WDs, a stick shift rental car on the wrong side of the road, 4 seasons (from fall to spring to summer to winter, in that order), from $1/per night bungalow to a nice treat at the St. Regis, from Asia to Africa to the Middle East and back, and with that over 25,000 photographs (or 50+GB) with three (and two broken) cameras. Yes, I said 25 THOUSAND pictures…more than.

What an incredible journey. I can remember when I went into my boss’s office after Memorial Day to ask about taking the time off and how I thought if I don’t ask this will never ever happen…I will never go through with something so grand and I think that scared me more than asking for a leave of absence. I decided at that moment, I wouldn’t think too much about it…like seriously sit down and think about what lay ahead for me in the next few months and all that needed to be done to tie up loose ends before I left. It would be best to just go through the motions. And I guess that is what I did. If I sat too long I would let those with worried minds get into my head about all of the things that could go wrong so I made plans for every moment before I left…dinners, lunches, drinks, etc…but you know what, nearly everything went smoothly and if there was a hiccup I dealt with it. And I don’t think it means I was lucky… I think that aside from going to places that are so well traveled (for the most part) I’ve got a good head on my shoulders…pretty too. But seriously, I am quite practical and have great street-smarts. It was only as the date got closer did I start to get nervous and freak a little…and only inside of course - what the heck was I doing? I am leaving my home, a stable and steady life with the bestest of friends and family and traveling to foreign unknown places by myself…And it started out splendid as well, with me nearly missing my first flight from Newark to Hong Kong and arriving in HK to stay with my cousin who was nowhere to be found!

Well in retrospect, it seems like this could have been the EASIEST and SMARTEST decision of my life. Yes, hindsight is 20/20. I took a thought, a dream, a what-if and materialized it. Never before have I felt such satisfaction and contentment. I have experienced a second, third and fourth plate of what the world has to offer…and while there are plenty more courses, you all know I have room for it…happily and without question! Gluttony? Not a chance…just an insatiable hunger for travel and cultures and “capturing the beauty this world has to offer”. I was told recently (from the same person I just previously quoted) that “[My] passion for life is inspiring”. I am humbled and I can only hope that this passion will never cease and that I can infect others similarly.

There are so many simple moments that I can remember…moments that were just a piece of time which brought and still brings a smile, a sigh and that warm fuzzy feeling that so easily relaxes me …enriching experiences that are immeasurable and invaluable. They are mine to have for always, to take with me into my daydreams and future endeavors. It will forever be tucked in the forefront of my mind. This was me…this was everything I wanted and more (but not enough). I have experienced things that many never will…I will be forever grateful for this…it will keep me “alive” and young and it will allow me to dream. I will do this again one day, there is no doubt.

I have so many thoughts and could ramble on forever. Let's have a drink or two and I’ll talk your ear off…otherwise this is a great succinct version.

And yes, this “world is a book” . I’m ecstatic that I’ve found a jewel among traveling and I’m just at page 50 of my novel where things start to get interesting and I can’t put it down…so while I am back in NYC for a time I ask that you keep your fingers poised under the next page, the best is yet to come…………………………

HELLOOOOO NYC! Kisses and ciao! TBC…

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