“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine
I’ve always thought that if I came into a large sum of money — I’m talking a never-could-have-imagined amount — I would travel. A lot.
Yes, I would give lots of it to ministries I believe in.
And then I would travel.
First place: I would go back to Venice with my husband and splurge on a gondola ride. We visited Venice years ago during our “military family” life, when the first three kiddos were little. We rode the water taxi. I remember my son Josh asked if we could live in Venice forever. I so wanted to say yes.
Second place: Australia. I don’t know why, but I’ve always wanted to visit the Australian Outback. It’s wild and romantic — at least in my mind. I want to discover the reality.
Third place: Israel. I’ve been to Israel once. My husband and I helped chaperone a team of teenagers on a ministry trip (our son was one of the teens.) At the time, I was reeling from the oh-so-unexpected news that I was a mom of 3 teenagers (I knew that) and I was also pregnant. Let’s just say my memories of Israel are shrouded in all day morning sickness.
In Your Words: The world is a book … how would you fill the pages? Or, if you’ve traveled to some favorite places already, I’d love to hear about that too!
PS: Was anyone else surprised that Saint Augustine said today’s quote — and not someone like Rand McNally or a Fodor’s rep?
Comments 44
I was blessed to live in Germany four and a half years early in my marriage. Since Gwynly is a teacher, we got to travel during the summers. I collected a bunch of stamps in my passport as we visited several European countries. Ah, the memories!
I am certain those are some cherished memories, Keli. We visited Germany once when my husband was in the Air Force. Beautiful!
Except for the two times I crossed the border into Canada, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel outside the U.S. I’ve explored much of the east coast, except for New England, but the only time I’ve been west of Texas was when we flew to Banff, Alberta, Ca. I think disability has tempered my longings to travel, because if I had the opportunity to do so today, I’d be perfectly content to go no further than Florida’s gulf beaches….where my days would be filled with the sound of waves, wiggling my toes in white sugar-sand, unending hours of reading and writing, and brought to a close in magnificent sunsets.
Travel is travel, Patricia.
Canada counts.
As does traveling within the U.S. We have such a wonderfully geographically diverse country — it’s one of the things I love about America.
And the gulf beaches — some of the best.
What a wonderful quote! I saw your blog blurb on my own blog & just had to read more 🙂
I do not play the lottery, but of course daydream of life-with-extra-money, and lot of it. Like you, I’d donate tons of it to good causes, squirrel away some for future living expenses, and would travel to Austria (my heritage), Ireland (it calls to me), England, France, Switzerland, Israel, and Canada. But first, I’d take a two week vacation just to relax 🙂
Elaine,
Sounds like you’d need to add a two-week vacation just to relax after you did all this traveling.
And I’m adding Ireland to my list now.
Thanks!
Been to Germany – awesome. I would go again in a minute if you handed me a ticket. On the bucket list – Australia, Antarctica, Iceland, and to visit my genealogical home of Wales.
Antarctica — really?
Why?
Great post, Beth. My dream trip is to Great Britain, the land of my ancestors. I’d like to spend three weeks abroad, one in England, one in Scotland and Ireland. And finally to Israel. I want to see the longest running play ever written, The Mouse Trap in London..
Love this list, V. B. — and the idea of seeing The Mouse Trap in London.
I’d love to travel someday. Our country has so much to offer, so I think it would be fun to have a domestic passport–a stamp from each state. A European tour is on my someday list. I’d love to explore Italy, France, England, Germany….the beauty, the history, and the beaches. Of course the beaches. 🙂
Hubby and I are taking a cruise to Bermuda for our 25th in a couple of years. He’d rather go to Alaska though and fish for salmon.
Your hubby is great to opt for Bermuda for your 25th. Maybe you can do Alaska for the 30th.
I’m having fun reading the postcards in your book (& the entire book actually). I’m game for anywhere. New Zealand, Italy, Belize…I’m ready to pack a bag.
~ Wendy
🙂
I love how they formatted the postcards at the beginning of the chapters.
And, yes, some of those places Daniel visited in the book are ones my family traveled too.
My work in the Abstinence program has taken me to Las Vegas, Washington, DC four times, St. Paul, Baltimore, Orlando, and Maine. We have a beautiful country. Never have been outside the US, but may get to go to Quito, Ecuador on a mission trip in the next couple of years. I would love to go to Israel and Ireland.
Wow, Quito, Ecuador. Quite an historical place.
And my dad was a DC cop for 25 years, so I’m quite familiar with DC.
Travel! I love it!
I’ve been blessed to get to travel around western Europe when I studied abroad and I’ve gone back to London three times since that first trip. So…if I came into bunches of money, I’d first head back to London to visit friends there. Then I’d hit Scotland again, and Ireland…beautiful! I missed Italy the first go-round, so that’s soooo on the list. And Russia…as cold and dank as it is in my imagination, I’m fascinated by its history. Yeah, pretty much I just want a year of unlimited time and money to travel to my heart’s content.
A year of unlimited travel … sounds good to me, Melissa.
I’m with you, Melissa. Russia intrigues me. I almost wrote in my comment, but didn’t. 🙂
My book holds pages from Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, the Philippines and Hawaii (that counts, right? :)). Loved your thoughts today, Beth. I’d love to add pages from places like New Zealand (soooo want to see the beauty of that place), Israel, Alaska, various countries in Europe, and more. 🙂
Oh, my son and daughter-in-love went to New Zealand. One of my favorite photos is them hugging this tremendously h-u-g-e tree.
If I ever won the lottery, first I’d…………(you don’t have time for all of that so I’ll skip to the fun part) build a large tree house. Of course, I’d have to find the tree and buy the land surrounding it, and go from there. All of the branches will be softly lit and inside will be one especially comfy chair – and an old desk that is rich with life-scars (and it will be organized, because this is a dream). And computer access, of course, for that’s where I will spend many hours each day putting brilliant words on paper, words the world cannot wait to read. ; )
It’s been fun to live vicariously through all of your travels!! Thanks! Going from being a small-town girl to living in New Orleans and Miami was kind of like traveling to a foreign land. ; ) (Trips to Canada felt more like home than these places.) I love hearing about other people’s travels and then, like Waldo, putting myself in their shoes!
Beth – that last pregnancy must have been a major shock!! (My oldest and youngest are twelve years apart and that was a surprise.) But I know it has also a major blessing in your life!!! God so enjoys surprising us!!
A tree house?
How fun!
🙂
I’ve been to New Orleans … not a place I’d go back to, although my daughters and husband all went, post-Katrina.
I totally love your surprising quote and so agree. I got bit bad by the travel bug at an early age & have been blessed to travel more than I ever expected and know I’m not through. (It helps to have taught many foreign college students and/or have them live in my home extended periods & invite me, etc. I hope ALL of your list happens. For me, Israel again, yes. Perhaps Australia & N.Z. someday, but in my case most of my visits include staying w/ families or church groups I’m close to in countries, & they often come see me. Europe again, yes. Philippines, yes. More? I’m wide open.
I really like St. Augustine’s quote! How true, how very true. I love to travel, so I’m right there with you, Beth. This year has turned into quite a travel year for me. In May, I’ll be exploring Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Scottish Highlands), In September, I’ll be cruising to Alaska/Canada through my ministry. In December, I’ll spend several days over Christmas with a friend in Germany to explore Nuremburg, Bavaria, cathedrals, and castles galore. I’m so very excited!
Wow, Donna, such wonderful travels ahead! Need anyone to carry your luggage for you?
😉
If she does need help carrying luggage, I’ll go, you’re too busy writing and speaking this year!
🙂
I’ve been blessed to travel to several states, my favorite for now is Rhode Island. So beautiful! We’ve also been to Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). I’m waiting for the day I get to travel to India.
Can I just say one thing I loved about your book were the postcards. I looked forward to reading them!
🙂
Thanks for the comment about the postcards, Jess. It was one of the fun things to do — think of what was written on them.
India, huh?
I haven’t really thought of going there.
Why India?
I’ve been to Paris, and would like to go back again. Such history there.
I would love to travel to Austria.
Oh, I’d love to go to Paris too.
I’ve been to Belgium, but not Austria.
Sounds wonderful, Beth! I’ll join you. 🙂
Come along!
I’d love to visit all the places on your list, too! I’ve been to Venice, and we splurged on a gondola ride– so fun! Ireland is next up on my list of must-see places. I also want to go to India. In fact I’m dying to go to India.
Jennifer — you and Jessica.
So, what’s the attraction of India?
Australia, Egypt, and Africa are all on my wish list. Since you husband hates to travel and refuses to leave the country, Australia will likely be the only one I get to see, one of these days. In the meantime, I’m treating my grandchildren to trips. One at a time, we take a dream vacation. We’ve been to Hawaii, taken several cruises, spent a week in Cozumel, and spent a week at the Grand Canyon/Las Vegas. Forty days from now we are headed to Florida to visit Disney world. More my dream than my granddaughters, but we will have a great time. I couldn’t pick a favorite location or year. They have all produced such precious memories. When I think that God has allowed me this dream, words can’t describe my gratitude.
I love the idea of dream vacations with grandkids!
🙂
I would love to take a trip to China. I would enjoy taking my son once he gets older to Africa on safari. There are many national parks to visit here in the U.S. too.
Safari — yes!
There are many places I’d love to travel if I too acquired that unexpected large sum of cash.
My favorite place I’ve been is Rocky Mountain National Park. I was in awe. I remember saying to my husband, “I feel like I’m in an art gallery and God is the featured artist.”
That is probably why I love living in CO now. God’s art gallery is in my back yard!
So well put, Sonia!
Italy, Greece and Alaska are at the top of my travel list. We are going to Israel in June. It was never on my list, but my father-in-law is from there and my husband has been several times–so I’m not surprised we are finally going. But my daughter just got back from a study abroad program there and loved it–so of course I am now looking forward to it.
My favorite place overseas is Ireland. I loved it there 🙂
There it is: Ireland, again! It is officially on the list!