The car in front had this license plate:  TRAVLFAR. Not only was this one of the few license plates I could decipher, but my brain started to remember the magic of the word “travel”. Perhaps it started when we’d pile into the family station wagon and begin the trek from Georgia up to our grandparents in York, PA.  There was magic in staying at the Howard Johnson in Danville, VA. Better than the many choices of ice cream in the restaurant was the ability to swim in a pool. Wow! What luxury. I’ve lost count of how many times HoJo in Danville, VA hosted our five-person family.

But it wasn’t until I married my Bill and started my speaking/consulting business that the world opened its doors. In fact, so many miles have been logged by plane, boat and yes—sometimes by train that I have to look at old journals to recall the expanded magic of a far-flung world.

There’s something about recalling the mystery of old castles in Scotland and the intricate designs found in Grecian temples. I even made a wall plaque with as many places as I could fit within the frame: Italy, France, Spain, England, Philippines, Columbia, India, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Austria, and Alaska. I know the latter is not a country but it has such a unique flavor and ethnicity.

In every place, we’ve eaten local fare and followed the footsteps of locals. I’ve gulped down fried worms in the Amazon and jellyfish tentacles in Kuala Lumpur. I’ve tried dancing in Scotland and chanting with Tibetan monks.  What traveling far continues to teach me is that we are more alike than different. A smile is universal and laughter is contagious. There’s humor in flight delays and memories made with new friends on a ship.

If you are planning any summer travel, remember the most important things to pack: a curious mind, a spirit of adventure, and human heart.

I’d love to know where you go!!!

Eileen