Just Here For the Food
06 Jun 2005

359 days, just a few days short of a year, signaled my return. A friend of mine was getting married, another having a baby; they seemed good enough reasons to come home. A week of torrential rains and mud in Fiji had left me missing more than just the Tex-Mex. My flip flops longed for the day to walk on the hot cement of the sun-drenched bluebonnet state I called "home." My arrival in each new place always led to a barrage of questions, "What is your name?", "Where are you from?", "Will that be cash or credit?" Soon I would be answering very different ones.

The most common question of my travels I was happy to retire. It related to my very limited wardrobe, so I was asked frequently. Each new place had a "window shopping" period for me; a time where I would wander. I would walk all over the city in search of restaurants, cool shops, and the latest in fashions. I wasn't actually shopping, oh heaven forbid I could afford so much as a new pair of undies. No, I was looking for inspiration to jazz up my ratty looking clothes. After one excursion I promptly went out and purchased some ribbon and added bows to my tired looking tank tops (AKA singlets.) This repeatedly prompted people to ask "why are you wearing a ribbon on your singlet?" I had to refrain from replying "why do you advertise for Tommy Hilfiger?" At least I wasn't wearing a yellow rubber band as a bracelet.

When I was traveling I read about a woman who walked for eight years all over the world raising money for breast cancer (www.globalwalk.org). Among other questions, she was most frequently asked how many pairs of shoes she went through. Now that I have expanded my wardrobe, the question I am most frequently asked is: "What was your favorite place." I try not to pick favorites; just like family, you'll piss somebody off. I wouldn't go hungry in Spain, their food is amazing. Australia takes the cake for beautiful and most dangerous beaches (killer jellyfish, crocodiles, and sharks.)Greece probably had the best sunbathing, but not the best sewage system. Ireland and Greece tied for the most hair-raising driving. Charming people with sharp wit and humor: Scotland. Outrageously kind people with unmatched stunning landscape: New Zealand. All the places I went won in different categories, that is why I will continue to go back.

I met an American woman last month who summed up many other people's reaction to my trip. "You traveled alone? Weren't you scared?" she asked. "Yes, alone. And no, not really." I replied. "You didn't have any bad experiences traveling alone as a woman?" she prodded. "No bad experiences" I hesitated, "I had uncomfortable moments, but nothing scary." It's true I saw a flasher touching himself in broad daylight, but he didn't bother me when I changed my direction. What is ironic is, that happened while I was traveling with someone and we had parted for the day. Why is it considered a curse or burden to be alone? Or, for that matter, to be a single woman traveling alone? I found it exciting, eye opening, but never scary. I was scared... to leave my job and comfort zone, my friends and family, to sell everything, but not because I was single, a woman or alone. That same woman confessed "Wow! That is so brave of you. I wouldn't even go to a movie alone." Why would anyone be uncomfortable spending time on their own? That time is valuable to me. I reflect on what my goals are and where I'm going. Now at home I speak to someone about my travels and think of all the incredible experiences I had on my own, traveling the world. Some of them make me laugh, others make me cringe. I hope none of you ever have to clean your road-rashed wounds, twice a day, on your own in a foreign country. I couldn't have been more lonely if I tried, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Last week I got my hand smashed really good. As I sat nursing my wounds with antiseptic and a bag of ice, I thought "ah, this is nothing." I remembered Greece and what I learned there:
1. Don't drive a vehicle you don't have a license for.
2. Wearing a helmet (or seatbelt) is essential. Don't be stupid.
3. Iodine is an amazing (and painful!) medicine.
4. When in doubt, take the bus.
5. Humility.
6. The true meaning of pain.
7. What doesn't kill you makes you grow. I can pull myself through anything.