world travel ideas

i've gotten responses from two friends.

aralyn says:
I don't always go for beauty, like Cuba is not for the beauty, but wow, what
a place.

Norway, one of the most stunning places, get out in those fiords.

I have been around the world, to almost every country, except Africa.

Can't say, but Europe would be last on my list...........too much like
USA and too expensive, no adventure, unknown, unexpected landscapes.


i asked aralyn to tell me more about what made cuba so great. here's what she said:

People who have nothing, no infrastructure, people not poor, but in
depressed economy, nothing changed since 1959,,,,,,bathrooms etc not
updated, electrical a mess, elevator break, stay broken.....people happy.

It has changed a lot in recent years as Europe and Canada building high
rises,... history, but it is not luxury vacation....it is next to
primitive.

Never felt safer........... better get to Cuba before the embargo….not a luxury trip.


and my friend zoe says:

ahhhh, travel, that and adventures my very favorite thing....

I'd go to Italy - Umbria, Tuscany and make my way up the coast , though all of it isn't on the coast. It is a magical land with magical light. I wouldn't take a full year here though.

perhaps Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia then on to Nepal, Tibet if it were open. Bali is amazing as is Chang Mai near the Laos and Cambodia borders. I haven't been to Thailand (Vietnam?) but a close friend of mine says its her favorite place, and we've travelled a lot together. I've been to Bali and Thailand three times though I never explored the coastal parts of Thailand.

Machu Pichu in Peru is one of the next on my travel plans as well as Costa Rica. I do long to spend a long time traveling in South America. It's one of the only places on the earth I haven't been, and there are so many places to explore. The Amazon River, shamanic explorations, indigenous peoples. Lydia would be a good connection to talk to about South America.

New Zealand is a place I'm longing to visit as well..

I have pictures of trips to Bali and Thailand.

If you're thinking of actually doing this, taking time off to travel, I'd be interested in dropping in to parts of the journey my love.


and so...it's amazing that i've told this to several women friends in my age range, and not one of them has discouraged me. most have thought it sounds fantastic to sell house, quit job, and travel for a year or more. in fact, several have said they'd love to meet me somewhere. the most sensible advice was to go ahead and take this idea with me to maui, which amplifies energy, and get clear about what, when, where, how, etc.

sounds great to me!

tofu

i'm actually developing a fondness for the texture and simplicity of eating tofu. since tofu absorbs other flavors, it's best cooked with flavorful foods.

last night, i concocted a marinade with tahini, tamari, and lemon juice. i coated a package of extra firm tofu with it and let it sit for about 30 minutes. then i fried it in coconut oil.

results? delicious. this experiment is definitely a keeper!

traveling the world

lately i've been thinking about traveling around the world. taking a year or two off from work and just doing it. because if not now, when? i'm 54 and don't want to wait until retirement.

i sent the following email

friends, if you were going to take a year or two to travel the world, where
would you be sure to go? somewhere you've been that you'd like to see
again, or a place you've heard of or read about that really draws you
to it...

if you have traveled, where are the most beautiful, magical places you've
been?

i will post responses on my blog for all to read.