With a title like The Adventures of Travel Penguin, I guess there should be some getting around on this blog. Someone asked how many airline flights I have taken, I wish I had kept track I know it is in the hundreds.
Let me see if I can remember how many trips I have made across the Atlantic. London 1990, Paris 1991. Rome (the photo above), Oxford, Paris, Normandy, Greece, Normandy, Rome, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Iceland, Provence - I think 15 trips to Europe from the Untied States, with another trip scheduled for next spring.
I have been to all 50 US states. Canada, the Bahamas, and Mexico. The list above does not include all of the countries visited on each of those trips, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Vatican City would round out that list.
I always learn things or observe things when I travel. Differences in the landscape, cultural differences, differences in food, and attitudes. I never really understood immigration from Mexico. Why would someone leave a wonderful warm and dry climate for Toledo, until I saw the unbelievable poverty in Mexico. It makes flipping burgers at McDs look like a career choice. I didn't really understand working to live, rather than living to work, until I experienced the lifestyles of Spain and France.
I have kept a record of all of the hotels I have stayed in since 2005. This year will be a new record high for the number of nights in hotels in a year. All told in the last 19 years, over 750 nights in hotels, about two out of the past nineteen years have been spent on the road.
I do get around.
I never kept count of my travels. I know I haven’t been to all 50 states. I’ve only spent time in 8 of Spain’s 50 provinces. I’ve got my work cut out for me. I love your hotel count! Almost as many times as we’ve moved (OK, that’s a lie).
ReplyDeleteAn interesting life
DeletePoverty as you saw in Mexico I think does not necessarily mean a lack of happiness but there is a strong ambition to improve lives, especially for children, and as the song goes, 'I want to live in America', and that has been the case for decades.
ReplyDeletePeople leave behind the familiar and family, in search of better lives.
DeleteYou took the words out of my mouth. You really do get around. I used to think that I traveled a lot but, between you and two of my friends, you guys have me beat by a very long shot.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy it, for the most part.
DeleteAfter seeing this opening picture of Rome, I can really see just how close the architects here got inspiration for the capitol dome in Harrisburg. It could almost be the same dome!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I heard you get around. More then I!
You experience the local culture in ways I don't. The photo was taken on the roof of St Peters.
DeleteYou are definitely a Travelin' Man.
ReplyDeleteAs long as I can.
DeleteIt sounds like you're running from the law.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't, are you?
Naw! I live too boring of a life.
DeleteOne of my goals (inspired by you) is to get to all 50 states...14 to go. I'll take my National Parks Passport and get it stamped along the way to this goal, too.
ReplyDeleteYou could spend a decade exploring the national parks.
DeleteI have been to some that are not on your list - China (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Xian) and Africa (Rwanda). Both of those big trips were because of family weddings. Both trips were amazing and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI want to go to Japan, and probably Scandinavia
DeleteI was lucky to have my lovely DILs as tour guides and translators when I visited their countries. Made the trip more special and easier to get around. I just followed them and did what they told me to do! ;)
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