I’ve been an international traveler since I was 15-years old, and while I’ve always wanted to visit Asia, Africa, and South America, I’ve yet to make that happen. When I was 15, I visited Canada for the first time, and since then, I’ve spent most of my travels wandering around Europe, with brief visits to Morocco, Puerto Rico, and Iceland. For some reason, I have always had a sort of mental complex, for when I start something, I have to finish it. So for years now, I’ve had it in my mind to ‘conquer’ Europe before I go anywhere else. In 2013, I spent nearly eight months in Europe, trying to do just that. The simple fact, however, is that THERE IS SO MUCH to see in Europe, that even if I were to visit for six months, every year, I would likely be well into my 60’s by the time I saw everything that I want to. With that said, I depressingly say, I may never achieve this particular dream of mine, however, I sure as hell will keep trying to!
Anyway, as 2014 is a new year, I’ve decided to change some things up, and that includes where I choose for this year’s travel destinations. I am visiting Aruba next month, and then in March I start out on my massive road trip around the USA – I figure it’s about time that I see more of my own country. After that, I have basically the entire summer and fall to do whatever with. I’m sure that after the road trip is over, I will visit my hometown of Columbus, Ohio once more, as I can’t go TOO long without seeing familiar faces. After all of that, I’m considering a trek through Asia or Africa perhaps. For some reason both continents attract me much more than South America does at this point – I attribute that to the widely ranging cultural experiences that I can have in Asia and Africa, although I’m sure that’s still quite possible in South America as well.
The problem is choosing where to go, and which destinations I would like to experience most. Enlightenment is something that I’ve deeply yearned for as of late, and I realize I should probably go as far away from Westernized societies to find this. So, with that in mind, I’ve been having a hard look at India and the Himalayas. Other parts of me crave for adventure and humbling experiences, and in that, Africa is deeply attractive to me. Another aspect that I always try to consider is that I’m at my happiest when I’m traveling, when I’m mesmerized by the locale, and the landscape. If I’m either experiencing a topography that I’ve never seen before, or am surrounded by beautiful scenes that I can photograph, then I’m a happy bee, buzzing about, photographing all day, every day. In this regard, Africa surely fits the bill, but so does Asia.
After months of consideration and weighing my options, my wants and my needs, I’ve decided that Asia may very well be the continent for my upcoming vagary. There’s just so much to see though, and that’s where I am having trouble deciding. If certain projects work out after my road trip, then I may very well find myself semi-settling down for the summer in Florida, but once autumn comes around, I’ll likely take off for a month or two, where I plan to flit around Asia. I mean, how can I pick from this amazing list of places: China and Tibet, India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Philippines, and the list goes ON AND ON, AND ON! So, I post this rambling thought process aloud (or by text, rather), to ask for your guidance, thoughts, and suggestions… If you’ve had the chance to visit Asia before, and with my wants of enlightenment, less-Westernized experiences, and beautiful scenery, can you tell me where I should consider going?
(Photo credits – Photo #1: by Juanlu Sánchez – Photo #2: by keso – Photo #3: by @Doug88888 – Photo #4: by eriktorner – Photo #5: by College of William & Mary – via Flickr)
The problem is choosing where to go, and which destinations I would like to experience most. Enlightenment is something that I’ve deeply yearned for as of late, and I realize I should probably go as far away from Westernized societies to find this. So, with that in mind, I’ve been having a hard look at India and the Himalayas. Other parts of me crave for adventure and humbling experiences, and in that, Africa is deeply attractive to me. Another aspect that I always try to consider is that I’m at my happiest when I’m traveling, when I’m mesmerized by the locale, and the landscape. If I’m either experiencing a topography that I’ve never seen before, or am surrounded by beautiful scenes that I can photograph, then I’m a happy bee, buzzing about, photographing all day, every day. In this regard, Africa surely fits the bill, but so does Asia.
After months of consideration and weighing my options, my wants and my needs, I’ve decided that Asia may very well be the continent for my upcoming vagary. There’s just so much to see though, and that’s where I am having trouble deciding. If certain projects work out after my road trip, then I may very well find myself semi-settling down for the summer in Florida, but once autumn comes around, I’ll likely take off for a month or two, where I plan to flit around Asia. I mean, how can I pick from this amazing list of places: China and Tibet, India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Philippines, and the list goes ON AND ON, AND ON! So, I post this rambling thought process aloud (or by text, rather), to ask for your guidance, thoughts, and suggestions… If you’ve had the chance to visit Asia before, and with my wants of enlightenment, less-Westernized experiences, and beautiful scenery, can you tell me where I should consider going?
(Photo credits – Photo #1: by Juanlu Sánchez – Photo #2: by keso – Photo #3: by @Doug88888 – Photo #4: by eriktorner – Photo #5: by College of William & Mary – via Flickr)
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