“What’s a blog with information on how to travel for free doing writing up all inclusive resorts?” my friend questioned, her lip snarled and eyebrow reaching the “you’re-such-a-hypocrite” level of arch. Can a “real traveler” indulge without being thought of as a pampered sell out? “I love me some all-inclusive packages” I defended. She crossed…
[box] “Learn to value yourself, which means: to fight for your happiness” – Ayn Rand [/box] Imagine. You’ve hugged mom goodbye, gave her all the emergency contact information, and triple checked your backpack for every possible thing you could need. You walk through the sliding doors into the airport and see your flight on the…
[quote]It’s One World Travel in no way supports bullying and if this post is misconstrued as such, our sincerest apologies are yours. We do, however support honesty and believe that our readers have a right to know what products will help or hinder them in achieving their goals of global travel. [/quote] In preparation…
Everyone has a specialty and generally the quality is far superior from any market you can find. (okay, I still love Trader Joe’s). Of course, at the time I didn’t love it because my bananas got smashed in the door on my way out and I tripped on the curb due to my depth perception problem courtesy of my one contact.
After about 2 km I saw a man who was probably on vacation from playing Grandfather Time. Seriously, he’s old! His back was bent in the arch that makes you want to roll a matchbox cars down it (just me? okay then..). I slowed the car out of respect and waited for the obligatory “Herete”. He indicated for me to stop and so I did. He asked if I had a cigarette, sadly, I did not. Then he saw the camera I had just used to photograph the goats. He smiled excitedly and motioned I should take a photo of him. Great idea, I’ve found Moses and now I can document it.
I will miss the sound of the checkers clacking on the worn wooden backgammon board, the laughter of the children playing tag in the streets, the sun sifting itself through the leaves of the elm at Tops cafe, and the sight of Katerina bumming cigarettes from tourists. This is my Olympia, and I will always return here and find exactly what I left- because it is intangible.
25 years sounds like a long time as I sit here today and wonder where it all went. The first third of my life seems a constant struggle to get somewhere. To get to be old enough to go to school, to get to be old enough to drive, to get through college, to get a job, to get a better job, to keep moving onward & upward. Sure enough I got all these things, I could go places, anywhere I wanted. The hard part was realizing none of these things were what I actually wanted.
I adore cuisine from all over this world, and there is nothing like home made tsatziki and a Greek salad with fresh bread to satiate my mouth, but damnit- sometimes I want to feel the fire of Mexican food in my mouth, and the cooling creaminess of an avocado… yeah, I want that. Specifically the best avocados FROM….
4. Two men can hug and kiss without being gay – or drunk. Yup, and in public even. No insecurity about it, friends being friends. It’s beautiful!
It’s not glamorous or comfortable, but it happens. You are sore in the morning, you look like a train wreck, you wonder why there are bootprints on your face and pray the pile of drool on your shirt is yours (seriously, how did the bootprint get on my face?).