Finally, I have what's
called a multi-sport disorder! I enjoy cycling for miles and I have done a century
(100 miles) and a metric century (63 miles) bike ride in Solvang just north of Santa Barbara. I
have completed 3 marathons, 15 half marathons and numerous 5/10K races. Growing up in Hawaii
- - I went to the beach on the weekends quite a bit - - while living up north (Washington
State) I dabbled in skiing. These days - - I'm becoming interested
in hiking or trekking.
I think that a combination
of all these interests influence my travels in many ways. I consider traveling an
adventure-a learning experience-a way to feel and experience other cultures in the world.
My Thoughts On Travel
Many travel guides,
and experts preach "go off the beaten path" - immerse yourself in the places that you visit! Yes
it's a cliché and yes there are many authors who are making a lot of money off it - - but guess what! They are spot
on right!
Traveling to other
countries isn't always exclusively about their art, history, great food, fine wine or gelato! Well . . . maybe
it could be about the Gelato!
The most important
part of travel is in my opinion the interaction you have with your destinations. I mean mingling with
the people (not your fellow tourists) - - hiking their beautiful hillsides and mountains - - driving along a small
road in Tuscany, stopping in a mom and pop store or cafe
. . . sitting in an intimate campo, piazza or square!
In my 2005 trip to
Italy I went to hike the very beautiful
trails of the Cinque Terre. A fun adventure that I would never had previously thought of doing until I visited
a website called Slow Travel. That's when a member recommended that I stay in the small fishing town of Vernazza. It was this experience that made me realize that
Europe has so much more to offer than just history and art.
In Cinque Terre - -
I got out there and hiked all five trails. Along the way we stopped to converse with a local selling his homemade
wine. We greeted the local wine and olive growers we saw along the trails with a smile and a Buon Giorno.
We dipped our feet in the cool Mediterranean waters and participated in Monterroso's Annual "Lemon Festival."
History & Art are great,
but it can also be one dimensional. Getting out there and interacting with the people and engaging yourself in
the local surroundings and traditions of that town/city are in my view the actual reward for traveling.
During our stay in
Vernazza, one of the best part of my days were spent in the early morning hours before sunrise. I would get out and
walk around. I smelled the aroma of the one bakery in town. Said Buon Giorno to the locals washing down the
street and to the baker setting up their shop for the hoards of day trippers who will visit
their town. Across from the bakery, a local woman sets up her stand made up of two crates and a piece
of wood going across them for a table to put her fresh vegetables. The other locals would be out greeting
her and chatting while they pick out their vegetables.
The kind of experience
I’m talking about will become a part of who you are and how you view and live your life. Something that
you can't put in a photo album, write in a blog or place on your bookcase for everyone to admire.
In 2005, I gained a
new found respect for the simplicity of life. I think the Europeans understand this concept much more than we Americans. After
this trip, I realized that life is quite simple in Europe. As well it should be.
People tend to make things in life more difficult and complicated.
In 2006, I learned
about the "magic" of travel. I went completely solo for the very first time. No group tour, no travel companion,
completely independent and I had a blast. I learned that my travel experiences (whether I go it solo or with a travel
companion) is completely what I make of it.
In 2007, I spent
two weeks in Venice, Italy with day trips to neighboring towns like Ravenna. I rented an apartment in a real neighborhood
and I actively participated in a local fiesta/tradition. This trip changed my travel style forever. I have
become a "Slow Traveler." Check out this great Travel Site and be prepared to learn the true magic
of Traveling:
