Saturday, March 15, 2014

Fear Not! Seek an Acre for Adventure


In the Netherlands 1986
Hiking in South Korea, 1982
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

Unknown

 

            Back in 1986 I journeyed on a European ISO (In Search Of) experience, with no itinerary, except to go ‘where Deborah hadn’t gone before.’ I had purchased a Eurail pass before I left the U.S., which allowed me 30 days of first class train travel throughout most of the central European countries. This pass came with a master schedule which gave me departure times and tracks to many cities. I was going to board my own Love Train— the O’Jays had told me to in their song by that name back in the 1970s. Also I did something similar during my time in the army while stationed in Seoul, South Korea, taking the train around the peninsula, feeling fearless!

            Did my family and friends think I was nuts?

            Yes!

            My response and line of reasoning, “I want to travel while I’m able. Who knows what the future holds. I consider this my pre-retirement reward! I’m going to find myself.”

            Off I went to explore the great countries and cities of Europe. 

            There were some destinations I had in mind, such as Norway, Italy and Belgium— but when I would go see them, I just left it up to my mood and chance. Space for rest and diversions were top priorities during my foray as well, so I’d planned to do a learn-to-ski program in Austria. The choice to discover a new location was mine and I sometimes altered my travel plans based on the best train connections.

            I’d also purchased a guide book, Europe on $25 a Day, which listed lodging and restaurant options for each major place on the continent. Bed-and-breakfast style hotels fit my budget and I found them charming. The innkeepers at these establishments were generous with information about local attractions. From museums to boat rides to authentic foods, I wandered and explored London, Paris, Lucerne, Switzerland, Vienna, Austria and other places. Riding the rails and seeing the countryside up close was a wonderful adventure.

            After my 30 days were up on the Eurail pass, I decided to hang out in Germany for a while. Several of my army friends were stationed there and offered me a place to stay. One of them had an apartment in a community close to the army base so that location fit better for me. We entertained other friends and it was easy to get to other social events. I even considered looking for a job.  Soon I realized that I wanted to go home. ‘Loose ends’ needed to be tied up.

            When I returned to the U.S. one of my uncles asked me if I “found who I was looking for”. 

            I couldn’t really answer that question.

            I was just glad I took on that expedition. Occasionally as I thumb through my photo albums of the trip, reflecting on that experience, I think about what a bold thing that was for me to do. I also wonder if I could do it again. Youth played a role at that time. I was 31 and a curiosity about the world lit my travel bug. My life was at a crossroad too, so a daring pursuit fit the moment.

            I still crave an unusual enterprise from time to time to break the monotony or provide an adrenaline-type thrill. Now I tend to take on shorter and safer quests. When I lived in Phoenix back in 2001, I once drove to Los Angeles and back in the same day. My goal was to complete the coast to coast drive I started when I left Virginia and moved to Arizona. It felt great—seeing the sign pointing me to Los Angeles from the car instead of the plane. Another test of the mettle and pedal I could put on my daring deed. Checking out local festivals, reading a new book genre —those are more within my limits now.

           The message for all of us... Get out of the rut. Find a parade! Explore a new town! Do what you’ve never done.

 
Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE
 



No comments:

Post a Comment