I used to think I was fairly well traveled. In my college years I managed to see a bit of Europe and a smattering of other port cities around the world. Since then Paul and I have done a bit more. I think if I were to count countries I would be in the mid to high twenties. Which is ironically also my age. My age in fact is very high twenties, until Saturday when I will be turning the big three-oh. Am I where I thought I would be at thirty? no, but who ever is? Let’s get back to traveling and how the below pictures have sparked my imagination.
Part of my early travel lust was getting as far away from home as possible. Which lead me to Northwestern University for a theater program at the age of 16. It was there I met Liz and we were pen pals over the years. I had no idea until recently that she harbored the same travel lust I do. When she turned the momentous age that I will be shortly, she decided it was high time to see the world because, as she said “my whole life in no longer in front of me”. A sentiment that has hit awfully close to home. So, she and her husband have done what I hope to do someday, packed up the bare essentials, rented their home and are touring the world for the next 7 months. Liz is a beautiful wordsmith and her blog entries are delicious to read. I have been checking in on them a couple times a week with new posts every time I check.
I will be honest. The beginning of their travels had me thankful for my own bed and very sympathetic to the heavy backpacks they must be lugging around. But this morning I saw these pictures (which I hope they don’t mind I attached here) and it is all I can do to continue sitting here in my cubicle at work and not go home to sell all my belongings on Craig’s List. It is like they have entered a fairy land. Somehow the pages of National Geographic have met with the their reality and I am here, in suburbia, feeling very sheltered and oh-so-envious. Check out their website— WWW.kindnessofstrangerstravel.com
