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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO AND TRAVEL WITH FEW REGRETS

6/24/2015

Come hell or high water, Middle East tensions or dozens and dozens of '‘terrible' TripAdvisor reviews, I was intent on seeing the Giza Pyramids.

I did see the pyramids, last year. ‘Terrible’ does fit the bill, although it doesn't cover my entire experience.

The pyramids also lived up to the 1,674 'excellent' reviews extolling the wonders of this enormous archaeological ancient wonder.

Having lived to tell the story of that amazing, terribly frightening, and somewhat amusing experience after the fact, I have no regrets.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

A DOZEN DIVERSIONS TO NURTURE YOUR WANDERLUST WHEN TRAVEL IS NOT AN OPTION

1/12/2015

When the budget gets tapped or travel is out of the question (no question about it, I’m happy to be spending time with my recently widowed sister), rather than succumb to the inevitable funk reminiscent of the infamous airport fiascos shared by most seasoned travelers, I often assuage my thwarted wanderlust with a handful of alternatives that serve to nurture my restless soul.

SPLASH OF COLOR + TRAVEL INSIGHT = TROVER EXPERIENCE

10/7/2014

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Have you noticed my new look?

Not really anything as drastic as a full facelift; just a few nips and tucks here and there and a splash of extra color as summer fades to fall.

What do you think?

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TELL-TALE SIGNS YOU MAY BE A TRAVEL ADDICT

9/27/2014

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My diagnosis wasn’t really a big surprise. The Internet offers a wealth of information for those hypochondriacs looking to self-diagnosis. Lethargy just put surfing the web and finding the answers on the back burner.

For weeks I’ve been restless, grumpy, out of sorts and out of touch. I forgot birthdays; missed appointments; neglected family and friends; slept odd hours of the day and night. I’ve been a lost soul teetering on the edge of a dark abyss.

With little will to cook or clean (40 years of fun has certainly diminished that novelty), home and hearth have been taking a beating, too. On numerous occasions I’ve debated the merits of downsizing with a husband who is hardwired to fix, tinker, and toil when it comes to the projects this aging albatross brings home to the roost.

This aging albatross wants nothing more than to fly the coup (first class would be nice, as long as I’m contemplating my next trip), particularly while I can still fly. Time isn’t exactly on our side now that wakes outnumber weddings when it comes to friends and family.

I accepted the diagnosis with considerable aplomb.

Ah, yes, Swissair is the Red Cross when it comes to dressing your wounds and addictions.

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LIFE IS FUNNY, ESPECIALLY THE JOURNEY!

7/24/2014

I’m in dire need of a mental break after yesterday’s Masada post. Who knew travel would involve so much history and mystery, so many new people and places, so much time and energy, not to mention money!

Travel guru Rick Steves makes it all look so easy. No airport delays, no lost luggage, no language barriers (surely he speaks at least a dozen languages!). I bet he doesn’t even suffer jetlag! He rarely seems to run into bad weather while globetrotting, either; or poor service and long lines usually reserved for tourists. And while he knows all about travel via Europe’s trains, I bet he also knows the ins and outs of driving on either the left- or right-hand side of the road (he could probably manage the feat simultaneously, if needed). Top all that off with his dry wit, and you can see why he’s my hero.

There’s lots of advice out there when it comes to travel; lots of travel quotes, too. Check out my Tao of Travel page for some of my favorite quotes (with pictures, I might add). But those quotes just won’t cut it today. Today, I need travel quotes with more zip, quotes that are cutting edge, that tell it like it really is.

Life is funny, especially the journey. I enjoy a good laugh, even when it's at my own expense.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF TRAVEL

6/11/2014

While I’ve been posting for weeks and weeks about our awesome trip to the Holy Land, Jimmy and I have been juggling a good bit of family related travel; just the usual, as in weddings, . . .

Sarah and Chris' wedding was the first of three family weddings this summer.

MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

3/25/2014

I’m terribly distracted. You’ll undoubtedly notice my posts are a bit topsy-turvy this week; and shorter.

OMG! Six days and counting!

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF HARMONIOUS ROAD TRIPS

2/6/2014

I am so bummed! Jimmy and I began the long drive home today after spending a few weeks with my father in honor of his 89th birthday.    To add insult to injury, we’re leaving sunny Florida to return to single digit temps and a very snowy Chicago. What the . . . ?!

Yes, according to my father, I’ve lost all my marbles! Snow birds are the retirees headed south during the dead of winter. Looney birds are the ones returning north.

Personally, I think insanity is exactly what I need to successfully manage fifteen hours confined, with my beloved at the very least, to a space not much bigger than my hall bathroom. It does take a certain mindset to achieve harmony in the aforementioned scenario, particularly as the number of people involved in said scenario increases.

Suffice it to say, when confined to small, vehicular spaces avoid really sticky discussions (politics, religion, and ongoing, unresolved marital issues) that generally result in the need to walk away, pout in privacy, and/or suddenly begin furiously cleaning, furious being the operative word.   There’s only so much to clean given the size of a glove box.

While my Ten Commandments of Harmonious Road Trips  was written from the perspective of a charming couple (that would be Jimmy and me sans small, vehicular space), they will work for any number of people and relationships; of course, sanity is optional.

5 TIPS FOR TAKING BETTER TRAVEL PHOTOS

1/21/2014

If you’re like me, among those thousands of travel photos collecting dust inside my computer, a handful have what I like to call that “WOW” factor; those qualities that make for a truly memorable picture.

There is no perfect picture.

Photography, after all, is simply one form of communication, a universal language, if you will, in today’s world given the proliferation of digital SLRs and smartphone cameras that make communication as easy as point and shoot, then share. We all have a lot to say.

Instagram is the 21st century’s answer to yesterday’s postcard, minus the stamp. The challenge in all that sharing becomes capturing travel photos that evoke strong emotions, and thus a stronger connection to your travel experience.

I've come to rely quite heavily on my 5 Tips for Taking Better Travel Photos to achieve that strong connection.

THE DREAM MACHINE

1/8/2014

There was a time as a kid when I was convinced I could fly; a little practice, patience and determination and I’d break my earthly bonds.

I was eight, maybe nine, when the notion took hold of all my dreams and consumed a month of precious summer days (okay, probably a week, but as a kid, it felt like a month). I’d yet to learn of Icarus’ flying folly (damn that sun!); my plan was simple – flap my arms (it worked for birds; why not me?), and I would eventually learn to soar above the tree tops. Even birds weren’t born knowing how to fly.

Climbing to the top of all those trees had its limitations, gravity in particular. No fun having the wind knocked out of you at the end of a fall. Flying would be so handy considering my propensity (to this day) for more adventure than caution (see Monday’s post).

Call me stubborn, or perhaps a bird brain given the flying thing, but I jumped from my practice pad (a four-foot high ledge that conveniently protruded from the front of the house) time and time again, convinced that with the right form and just enough altitude I could fly.

In retrospect, I’m very fortunate my practice pad was only four feet high.

I think we all know how my story ends (I’m proud to report, no broken bones to go along with my flights of fancy), although this isn’t really the end of today’s story. It’s just the beginning.

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