World Adventurer

So I realized that I should have started this blog before I started traveling but better late then never...

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Robert Louis Stevenson

Wednesday, August 9, 2006
New Beginning/Chapter in my Life

I am about to embark on quite the adventure. No longer employed, so why not take three months and travel around the world…No better time then now when I am young, single carefree. My journey started this morning when I boarded my flight to Cincinnati but not before experiencing the security checkpoint. Why, I ask, must we take off our shoes, coats, take the laptop out of the carrying case and on and on. No wonder it takes so long to get through the line. Hope no one is hurrying to catch a flight ;) After a long layover in the Cincinnati airport, I get on a flight that will take me out of the country and into a foreign city where, I most likely, will get lost and not understand anyone. Spoiled, pampered, comfy sits…sometimes it pays to go standby on a flight. I was lucky enough to be put in Business class on the flight to Amsterdam from Cincinnati, it is going to be hard to fly coach on the flight to Africa.
Song Quote of the blog: “It’s such a waste to always look behind you, you should be looking straight ahead.” JET – Song Move On

Thursday, August 10, 2006

I arrived in Amsterdam around 11:00 a.m. today. It is cloudy with a little rain. After getting settled in my hotel, I went out to do some sight seeing.
I love the atmosphere of Amsterdam. The cobblestone streets, the bikes (lots of people ride their bikes here), the architecture, lots of history and great culture. Such a nice, relaxed feeling.
I went to the Van Gogh museum which was very crowded but I learned a lot about Van Gogh and his paintings.
A little fact about Van Gogh: In 1888, Van Gogh moved to the southern French town of Arles. Towards the end of the year, the first signs of his mental illness began to appear, probably a form of epilepsy that took the form of delusions and psychotic attacks. It was during one of these seizures that Van Gogh cut off his left earlobe.
Traveling alone is kind of nice. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want and don't have to wait on others :) Life just doesn't get any better. I am sure that I will have moments where I will get lonely and want some company. I am sure that I will meet lots of people along the way. I love meeting people from all over the world when I travel.
Around dusk I went and walked the streets again. Amsterdam at night is nice. It is lively yet there are some streets that are quiet and peaceful.
Song Quote of the day: "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." Josh Groban - song Vincent (Starry Starry Night)

Friday, August 11, 2006

Last night it poured. I kept hearing it throughout the night. I love the rain. The smell, the sound, staying inside and eating tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and drinking hot chocolate.
I had a minor incident happen today. I had just returned to my hotel to meet the taxi for a ride to the airport. I had a few minutes to spare so I started to get a little organized when I realized that I couldn't find my card holder which had my American Express and driver's license in it. I started searching all over with no luck of finding it.
Earlier that day I had gotten money out of an ATM with my bank card. I still had my bank card which is a good thing. I must have dropped my card holder instead of putting it back in my moneybelt.
When I got to the airport, I was able to call my mom and she helped me report it lost. Let's hope that is the only mishap.
I went to the Anne Frank house today. I didn't realize that she was so young when she died. I think she was 15 or 16. Fact about the Anne Frank House: Anne's original diaries, her notebooks and more than 300 loose sheets of paper were found by Miep Gies (one of the workers in the office below the hideout) and returned it to Anne's father after the war.

Song Quote for the day: “They say that time heals everything….look out my window, still rainin’” Jonny Lang – Song Still Rainin’