Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
In September of 2013, a decade ago this week I travelled to Peru. When I was 10 I saw a picture of Machu Picchu and told my teacher I was going to go there when I grew up. Nearing the end of my 49th year, while cruising on my motorcycle one evening, I realized it would be my 50th gift to myself.
A group of friends from Canada, 6 in all, met up on a tour with 2 couples from Britain and 7 college friends from various parts of the US. Our GAdventure truly was a brainscar. Along with our Guide, Nuri, we formed a bond, dubbing ourselves the ABCs and have kept in contact ever since. We in various groups have visited each others areas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Barbara, California, Kananaskis, Alberta and Kent, Uk.
I bonded especially with one of the couples from the UK, and was blessed to spend two weeks with them as hosts in their home 4 years ago now. It was very busy and full of adventures, a time that I can only describe as a gift from the Incans.
My heart will always carry the memories of that time, a decade ago and a continent away
Woke early to finish getting packed and ready to head to airport. Overcast day so it must be time to go home. The guys staged a lie in as they are not ready to leave. I have weighed my main luggage to keep it at the 50 lb mark and put the rest in a …
I am both excited and sad to get started on my last full day here. It is time to return to reality but I will so desperately miss the dear Hearndens. It is so easy to be with them, the banter and laughter and seeing the world from the same weird angle is a gift. …
Lovely day for a drive, dropped the top while caught in traffic and made Wookiee faces at the passerby cars. Arrived at Bodiam Castle where we met Claire who brought Ben & Tom, the Godsons Wandered up toward the castle, taking lots of pictures and chatting When we tried to gather for a photo a …
A couple hour drive away and we were at Stonehenge. Along the way I learned more about traffic laws and observed again the remarkable number of ‘luxury’ brand automobiles and Fords. Leasing has become very popular here so all the cars are ‘fancy’ Jaguars, Audi, Mercedes, Renault, BMW, etc rule the roadways. There are cameras …
Linda and I had made a plan to royally relax this morning and then just she and I were to head into London to give Nigel a break and not drag him to shop nor see Fame, off-off Broadway I awoke to Mr Magpie and enjoyed the sounds of the Hearndens puttering about as I …
The day began this early…. Left out of Ebbsfleet station which Nigel drove to. We were there before the shop opened, so waited to pick up snacks for breakfast. Passed through customs where the lovely guard stamped my passport as it was my first entry to France. Grabbed a double Americano, yes 4 shots to …
Up and off to get the bus and train into London on another lovely morning. I convinced Linda to do a little day drinking on the train First trip on the tube (underground) as well. Linda had booked us free tickets to go up the sky garden also known as the cheese grater due to …
Awoke and thought ‘tut tut, looks like rain”. The pigeon brought a friend must keep small children in so they don’t get whisked away. On our way to 100 Acre Wood, we got news that our friends from the Peru trip, that live in Manchester, had their baby today. So thrilled for Chris and Ruth …
No alarm this morning but didn’t sleep too late as I’d promised to make crepes. I got the batter made and got ready while it sat. We further discussed our time at the castle yesterday and the quirky tour of the cathedral. An interesting point was that King George VI insisted he be buried in …
After spending way too long trying to get everything posted last night it was 2:30 am so I turned out the lights and decided to finish in the morning. Glad I did as I barely had enough sleep to function and really wanted to be up and off according to plan. I’d had confirmation that …
Didn’t love my alarm this morning but there was much to see and do so had to get on with it. Looked out to see a magpie (I learned after it flew away before I got a good picture) and that overstuffed pigeon once again The mail came while I was having my bagel and …
Woke up several times this morning but finally arose at 9:45 feeling a lot less jet lagged. Looked out the window and saw a bird which was big enough to be a duck but weird coloured. Tried to get a picture but it wandered off in a huff at my presence. Nigel says it was …
My alarm went off at 2:30 am Newfoundland time. I didn’t know where or when I was. Thankfully I was pretty ready to go, so a shower and finish packing bits and I was lugging my ridiculously heavy suitcase down the narrow stairs and out to the car. I did mention there was now a …
I awoke at a reasonable time and got myself ready for a day with Delores. I’m sad that Nancy had to work and be on duty for her grands or she would have joined us. As I was laying in bed checking my Fb there was a live stream from Alan Doyle from the top …
The day continues having left McDs after barely containing my amusement at the group of 20-somethings sitting across from me who used the C word as a noun on a regular basis as they shared the woes of working at entry level jobs. I programmed the route to Signal Hill and wound my way through …
I can’t help it, I am Canadian through and through, but I have ached for most of my life to explore this globe of ours. I am slowly taking places off the list. Some time ago I began to make a plan with the A(merican) friends I’d met on my Peru trip for a road …
triumphgal 