One of the things I live for and work toward is TRAVEL!
When I'm not planning a trip, I'm reading about different cultures, exotic places and dreaming about beautiful scenery!
Here are some of the better trips I've taken, complete with phtographs:
Middle East Israel Egypt Jordan Greece
Europe Sweden Germany France
Guatemala Mexico
Bottom of Page (So you can e-mail me or go home)
The Middle East
Israel, 
Egypt, 
Jordan & 
Greece
This was my most recent trip, and the experience left vivid visual impressions in my mind that I refer to daily. The people I met, the places I saw, were unforgettable...
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Israel
Israel is the most inspiring place I have ever been. I admire the people who came to Israel in 1948 amidst war and arid lands and created the lush landscape we see now. I was lucky enough to stay on Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, left, near Haifa, and my host was one of those very people. I had thought a kibbutz would be like a camp, but I was wrong. The kibbutz is, indeed, an agricultural community, but it is also a modern manufacturing plant, a dairy, and a center of social and political issues. Jerusalem, at right, is not only THE religious hotspot of the western world, it is a place where all history has it's roots. It's an awesome, incredible place to be, and I still can't believe I was actually there!
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Egypt
When you think of Egypt, you automatically think of the Pyramids at Giza. Sure, I went there, but Egypt is so much more than that! The HUGE ancient statues in the Temple at Luxor, like the one at right, are incredible examples of ancient egyptian art and culture. This statue is of Tutankhamen, the boy pharoah who died at the age of 19, with his wife, depicted much smaller, at his feet. The little boy, at right, was one of many children whose faces will be perrmanently etched in my memory. This little boy worked in a carpet factory, and was very happy to see me, because I'm sure I was one more opportunity to make a little money. Everyone in Egypt, man, woman and child, would stop at absolutely nothing to make a little money. Nothing is sacred, and nothing is unethical. It was a true eye-opening experience for me, and a definite reality-check!
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Jordan
I was very fortunate in Jordan to stay with a family of Jordanians who were anxious and happy to greet me and show me their famous Jordanian hospitality. I would call Jordanian hospitality FIERCE!! This family lives right outside Amman, the capital, pictured at left. Amman, and the whole of Jordan was much cleaner than I expected -- definitely NOT like Egypt, and definitely NOT a third world country! Some of the wonderful experiences I had in Jordan included attending an engagement party, drinking coffee with a real Bedouin Sheik in his tent, sitting down to a one-dish Bedouin meal and eating it with only my hands, being allowed to enter the King Abdullah Mosque, and of course, going to Petra. Petra, pictured at right, dates back to the Nebataen civilization, BEFORE ancient Egypt, I think, and the entire city is carved into the rose-colored stone. It's only accessible by horse, foot or camel, and it is still inhabited by Bedouins. TRULY an awesome sight!!!
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Greece
In Greece, I stayed on the island of Santorini the entire time. Legend has it that Santorini is where the lost city of Atlantis is. I can believe it! It was SO beautiful! I arrived BEFORE tourist season (beginning of April), and the island was very quiet, so I sat and looked at the sea for hours and hours and hours! It was a wonderful end to my vacation, because I was able to wind down and contemplate all the incredibly awesome things I had seen and experienced. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to eat, however, because there were no stores or restaurants open. I eventually found a tiny little market open, so I bought some olives and stuffed grapeleaves that I consumed for a week. Next time, I'll go back a little later so I can sample the wonderful food I've heard so much about!
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Europe
Sweden, 
Germany & France
I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Europeans for most of my journey, and the hospitality was absolutely spectacular, not to mention the beautiful sights!
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Sweden
This picture shows the house I stayed in near Stockholm. The style of it is classically Swedish, with the dark red paint, high roof, and white picket fence. The incredible hospitality I received in Sweden made me feel like a member of the royal family! Even though it was May, the weather was cold, and there was only 2 or 3 hours of darkness per day. It wasn't even real darkness - more like twilight! I was impressed with the fabulous trasportation available to everyone - trains go everywhere, and then you can use your same ticket for a bus, too, because it's time-stamped. Sweden struck me as incredibly efficient, clean and friendly. If you go there, take warm clothing!
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Germany
I traveled all over Germany with my trusty little Eurail pass, and I was very lucky to be able to stay with German families all along the way who treated me, again, like royalty. I saw Berlin, Munich, Heidelberg and Freiburg, and I was most impressed with the Black Forest area (near Freiburg). I experienced one perfect, ecstatic moment in the Black Forest, at right, while I was feeling the cool air, smelling the pureness of it, and seeing such unbelievable beauty surrounding me. I went into many, many cathedrals throughout Germany like the one at left, and each one was more ornate than the last! I understand that it's mandatory to contribute to the Catholic Church in Germany, so now I know why the cathedrals are so filled with gold and expensive things. It's an awesome experience, to sit in one of those cathedrals, surrounded by so much splendor. What a difference from Dachau, the town near Munich with the infamous World War II concentration camp! I was sobered, thinking of the millions of people who lost their lives there, and wondered how it could have happened in such a "civilized" society.
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France
By the time I arrived in Paris, I had just about run out of money, so I made a choice: I slept in hotels, and went to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower (right), and Sacre Coeur, but I didn't eat. I had a lot of fun, riding around in the subway system and winding up in all different neighborhoods throughout Paris. I found Paris to be exciting, romantic and full of activity, and I'd love to go back there again some day, but WITH a lot more money! I didn't find the people rude at all -- they were downright friendly to me! I'd also like to go to Paris with someone else, because I think it's a city to be enjoyed, savored, and talked about. I can understand perfectly well now why everyone says that Paris is the city of romance, especially in the spring! I felt a little lonely, but that's okay -- French television is a riot! When it came time for me to go to the airport, I didn't even have enough money to ride the subway there, but I got on anyway, knowing that you don't have to produce a ticket until the END of your ride. I was prepared to cry and tell the police that I was just a lonely American, trying to get home, hoping that they'd have pity on me and let me go. As it turns out, when I reached the end of the line (the airport), all I had to do was jump over the turnstile, backpack and all! No sirens went off, no policemen came running - nothing! What a relief!
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Guatemala 
This was a trip I took on the spur of the moment, but one that I will cherish as long as I live, for it changed my life.
This photograph is the epitomy of Guatemala, as far as I'm concerned. It's colorful and full of life! My experience there changed my life because it was the first time I'd been out of the U.S. except for the occasional trip to the Mexican border or Canada. It was a culture shock, because I stayed with a Guatemalan family who were considered well-to-do, and who were, by American standards, extemely poor. It is a simpler way of life, as most homes are open to the air and have dirt floors, but the people are the happiest I have ever seen in my entire life! In the U.S., I usually have a list of things to accomplish on any given day, so I approached my vacation in Guatemala the same way. It is not possible there. I couldn't just go to the store and buy bread -- I had to talk to everyone in the store and tell them each about me and my life, and then I had to hear about each of them! Pretty soon, errands beome events, so there is no way you can "accomplish" anything. Instead, you're LIVING. I found myself enjoying the people, slowing down and enjoying the incredible beauty and simplicity, and really being present. I wish I could remember how to do that more often!
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South of the Border, Down Mexico Way! 
Mexico is a lush, BEAUTIFUL country, rich in history & culture!
Most people think of Mexico as a desert country, with too much poverty and pollution. I'm here to tell you that Mexico has a lot to offer -- it is a wonderful place to travel!
My experience in Mexico was one of many surprises. I had never had a desire to go to there, because I thought it was country filled with poverty and desolate landscapes. I was sure wrong! I saw such beauty in places like the Copper Canyon, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and many, many more! The people were genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming - most of them smiled and greeted me as I passed by. It's definitely a country NOT to be taken for granted! I'm SO glad I went, and I hope to go again & again!
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