I’ve decided it’s time to travel again. Matt and I need to go somewhere. I’m ashamed of how long it’s been since I last left the country – my last trip was to Jamaica, in December 1996/January 1997, and if the Caribbean doesn’t count (which I don’t think it does), I haven’t really travelled outside the country since I returned from Amsterdam in January 1994. More than 11 years ago!
This is quite a turnaround for me. My family and I lived in Japan for three years when I was in high school. During that time we visited Hong Kong, Thailand, and Australia. I spent a summer in the U.K. and Ireland and a couple of weeks in Israel. I’ve also been to Paris and Amsterdam. But for the last ten years I’ve led a domestic life, like Cincinnatus cultivating his farm after grand adventures.
It’s time to venture forth again. There are so many places I want to see, and Matt’s never left the country. I want to go to Rome, Berlin, Vienna. Maybe Florence and Venice. And Prague. And Paris again. Not all at once. But yes, I feel like going somewhere in Europe. And I love cities.
My passport expired two years ago, so I’ve printed out the renewal form. I’ll need to get some passport photos. I also need to set aside a little bit more money than I’ve currently got set aside. And maybe this weekend I’ll go to a bookstore and browse the travel guides.
Travel is good for you. It breaks up your routine. It gives you new experiences and perspectives. At its best, it shifts the trajectory of your life, even if just a little.
So that’s it. We need to go somewhere.
Let me know if you’re planning to go to Rome, cause I could put you in touch with a friend of mine who lives there and really knows the city — past as well as present.
He’s also a Total Babe.
We’re not exactly total babes, but if you get to Utrecht, give us a holler. ;-)
We just returned from two weeks in Argentina and Chile. Didn’t know much more than Evita before I started researching. Argentina is amazing and incredibly cheap due to their economic ‘crisis’ as they call it, in 2001. And in Buenos Aires you’ll think you’re in Europe. Check out http://www.thegayguide.com.ar/. The owner of the site, Guillermo was a great tour guide and a great help in setting up our trip.
It has only been a few years since Marc and I made it out of the country, but that still feels like way too long. Last time was our Paris trip in June/July 2002, and we can’t wait to go overseas again. Recent events kept us from doing more extensive traveling, but it needs to happen again soon!
Jeffrey and I are preparing for a trip to England. What a great opportunity you have to be a guide for someone who’s never been out of the country! Good luck and have an adventure.