Tag cultures

I always knew that “T” was going to be “travel”  just like I always knew that “P” was going to be (Pinterest).

Today I’m thankful for travel. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. About fifteen years ago, the company my husband worked for was being sold. He had worked for the corporate office (in Georgia) on a few projects over the years. They didn’t want to lose him so they offered him a job as a Forensic Accountant.  The schedule required two weeks out-of-town and two weeks home each month. Because the second two weeks was designated for the write-up of the audit and didn’t require his presence in Georgia, he was able to work at home (Michigan). 

After that first year of travel within the United States, the companies he was auditing were going to be sold (I can’t tell you how many times we’ve survived this kind of thing), and we were right back where we were the year prior. So-o-o-o now his position would entail international travel, lots of it. Whoa!  We never saw that one coming.

We were really excited. We planned that as soon as he had enough frequent flyer miles to purchase my ticket (that only took a couple of long trips), I would tag along a couple of times a year. Within the first year I was able to go with him to Sao Paulo, Brazil and later that year to Paris. (I should add that his traveling got real old, real quick. I don’t know how we did it for ten years. It was a huge strain on both of us and took a physical toll on him.) We are glad that’s over. It was exciting but exhausting.

I’ve been fortunate to see a great deal of the world and it’s made me a better person.  I have a better acceptance of the uniqueness of various cultures because I’ve experienced them. I’ve seen the advantages I have because I live in the United States. I’m more acutely aware of all the freedoms I enjoy. I’m grateful that I live in a democracy, flawed as it is at times. I’ve seen the living conditions of the poorest of the poor on the way from airports to hotels and I am humbled. I’ve witnessed young girls being treated as nothing more than chattel for older, pot-bellied men. I certainly don’t judge the girls; I absolutely do judge the men.

I’ve witnessed some things we would all do well to mimic. Like how most of the rest of the world walks to where they’re going rather than drive. In the Netherlands, they bike-for miles and miles.

Also, people from other parts of the world care more about their appearance in public. One would never see this in public.

I’m always dress with more care when I’m traveling. I hate to wear my running shoes but I don’t have a choice. Really, really bad feet and ankles.

And of course, there’s the pastry.  OMG! I’ve eaten my way through many a patisserie.

 

No self-respecting pastry chef in Europe would even consider substituting margarine for butter or milk for cream.  And because Europeans take the time to really enjoy their food, they are satisfied with less.

cappuccino in Australia are the best I’ve ever had.    

I encourage you to take a trip outside your own country. Spend less elsewhere and save up for a trip. Check out all the options. Don’t give up. I have never regretted that my husband and I have made traveling such a priority. It has taught me more than any book.

Believe me; I know how fortunate I’ve been. Sometimes it seems like a dream. I have to look at my pictures to convince myself.  We haven’t traveled out of the country for over a year now and I’m getting itchy feet. We still have an insane amount of frequent flyer miles, so I’m keeping a suitcase ready to go. 

God bless and I hope you have a good day.