Where have I been & where am I going?

I had to answer this question multiple times at a seminar I attended last week. I have also heard the question "What is your passion?" several times since June.
It got me thinking about the answers, for they go hand in hand. My loves include art and practicing healing modalities, but my passion is travel--both domestic and international. Nothing fills me up with excitement as much as experiencing a new place, new cuisine and new friends to explore with.
I prefer international, for I love the process of planning the transportation, learning new words and phrases, reading up on some DO's and DON'Ts, figuring out an itinerary with some wiggle room, and of course, learning as much as I can about the culture and customs before I arrive. I always try to visit some famous landmarks, art museums and eat something specific to that country and region.



















I'm going to start by writing about my international adventures. I've been to more countries than I have states in the US!

• Japan
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• England
• Spain
• France
• Sweden
• Norway
• Portugal
• Canada
• Italy
• Germany
• S. Korea

Where I am going: I would like to someday say I visited every country on the globe. My list is incomplete and will continue to grow, but here are the top places I've thought about experiencing:

• Croatia
• Greece
• Prague
• Turkey
• India
• Thailand
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Peru
• Ecuador
• Argentina
• Brazil
• S. Africa
• Egypt
• Israel
• China
• Indonesia
• Micronesia
• Cuba
• Bahamas
• Singapore
• Tibet
• Bhutan
• Bali
• Jordan
• Dubai
• Denmark
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Russia
• Morocco

I'm going to share my travel experiences with you, to the best of my memory (the earliest I can recall was traveling to Japan when I was about 5 years old). I'll also share some tips for those of you who want to travel to where I've been.

ENJOY!

Travel is Fatal to Prejudice, Bigotry and Narrow-mindedness — Mark Twain

I love this quote that Joseph Resendo states on his show.* I am proud to say that I love representing my country, for I travel with an open mind and heart. I want to be seen as the extreme opposite of "Ugly American" and experience cultures and their people without judgment or prejudice. This makes travel a lot more fun! When I do encounter challenges, I try to pause, take a deep breath and laugh at the situation, instead of stress out and react negatively.
I'm sure you have heard the phrase "I left my heart in San Francisco." I can agree with that, but I also left my heart everywhere I have flown, sailed or drove to on this big, blue marble.

What makes me different from most travelers? I have visited many countries without a travel buddy. My friends and family think I'm crazy, but the number one benefit of traveling solo is I can do whatever I want, when I want! I also make friends with fellow travelers and locals; some, I have been friends with since 1992!
I hope I can inspire those of you who always wanted to travel but didn't, because you thought you could only go with a compatible travel partner. I'm here to say that you are only limited to your beliefs, and I am proof that a single lady can have a safe, enriching and exciting adventure!

Now grab your passport and pack your bag (lightly)! Welcome to my world adventure.

*Travelscope, PBS