In the immortal words of The Grateful Dead: "What a long strange trip it's been."
From gazing at the awe inspiring art in Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum (post-coffeehouse), to Paris's Mussee D'Orsay, Madrid's Museo de Prado, Barcelona's Picasso Museo and through to Rome's Vatican City.
Bearing witness to the ancient ruins of Rome's colossal Colosseo and Foro Romano, to Greece's Acropolis and Panthenon, to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples in Cambodia.
Devastated by the genocidal memorials of Poland's Auschwitz and Birkenau and by the horrors of Cambodia's Killing Fields and S-21 torture facilities.
Impressed by the spiritually inspired creations of the Sacre Coeur overlooking Paris to Gaudi's Sagrado Familia in Barcelona. From Michaelangelo's canvased Sistine Chapel to the Dalai Lama's Buddhist temple in McCleod Ganj, India. And by the thousands of Wats (temples), Churches and Synagogues dedicated to Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, Buddha and the Hindu Gods.
Enticed into the water to bathe in the Mediterranean, Jet-ski in the Gulf of Thailand, skinny dip on X-mass eve in Cambodia, and float lazily down the Song River in an inner-tube sipping world class Beer Laos. Thrilled by the chance to learn scuba diving in Koh Tao and horrified by being left at sea while diving in Australia. From wishing I had a surfboard to catch the standing wave in Germany's Englisher Park Isar river, to taking my undersized short-board out in double overhead surf at Margaret River Main break and all along the expansive coast Western Australia.
But while seeing all these incredible things the one continually inspiring factor along the way were the fellow travelers I met. It was a genuine pleasure to make their acquaintances and I wish them all my best.
Yes, it has been a long (but not long enough), strange (wonderfully strange) trip. And I don't regret a single second!
Yours Truly,
DJ Wolinsky
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
A friend of mine who writes for a local newspaper asked me to give him a short summary of the trip. This just came out. For all those who don't have access to The Islander Newspaper, I share it with you.
The inevitable question one receives after returning from a year abroad is, "Are you glad to be home?". Honestly, I must answer that with a "NO!".
I'm glad to be able to see my family and friends, but it would be so much better if they were to come visit me abroad! Things are so much more interesting and alive while traveling. Also, one gets to meet more new friends than Ferris Bueller would accumulate over a lifetime. And every guesthouse Mom & Pop and every hostel Brother & Sister becomes a part of your extended family.
While away friends would tell me that nothing has changed back at home. Now that I have returned, I realize that they are right except that now there are more houses, more businesses and more traffic. I loved growing up on the NJ shore, but it will never be the same and that's a shame.
To anyone who cares to listen I implore you to travel. I was lucky and got away for a long period, but that doesn't really matter. Take whatever time you can put aside and get out there to explore. Forget the itinerary and timetables. Don't plan it all out. Just go and experience the wonderful moments as they occur in the present. You know, the present is a "present". The problem is that if you don't open up your present right away it's gone and you can't get it back. But then it's never too late to learn because there is always another one coming. On the road, if you are mindful, it's easy to enjoy one present after another. It's a parade of gifts and it is definately worth the effort.
After 36 years on this big blue globe, this past year traveling abroad has been the best one yet. Now the only question is "Where to next??". As soon as I come up with an answer I'll see ya on the road.....
The inevitable question one receives after returning from a year abroad is, "Are you glad to be home?". Honestly, I must answer that with a "NO!".
I'm glad to be able to see my family and friends, but it would be so much better if they were to come visit me abroad! Things are so much more interesting and alive while traveling. Also, one gets to meet more new friends than Ferris Bueller would accumulate over a lifetime. And every guesthouse Mom & Pop and every hostel Brother & Sister becomes a part of your extended family.
While away friends would tell me that nothing has changed back at home. Now that I have returned, I realize that they are right except that now there are more houses, more businesses and more traffic. I loved growing up on the NJ shore, but it will never be the same and that's a shame.
To anyone who cares to listen I implore you to travel. I was lucky and got away for a long period, but that doesn't really matter. Take whatever time you can put aside and get out there to explore. Forget the itinerary and timetables. Don't plan it all out. Just go and experience the wonderful moments as they occur in the present. You know, the present is a "present". The problem is that if you don't open up your present right away it's gone and you can't get it back. But then it's never too late to learn because there is always another one coming. On the road, if you are mindful, it's easy to enjoy one present after another. It's a parade of gifts and it is definately worth the effort.
After 36 years on this big blue globe, this past year traveling abroad has been the best one yet. Now the only question is "Where to next??". As soon as I come up with an answer I'll see ya on the road.....
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Well my last stop on this world tour is infamous Pattaya. 24/7, 365 hedonism!! Enough said!
As they say in America, "What happens in Vegas, STAYS IN VEGAS!!!"
In that spirit I'm not gonna blog about it or post any pics with the exception of the attached pic which I think sums up Pattaya nicely. You'll just have to ask me about it in person. And maybe if you're lucky I'll share a few of the pics;)
So after 4 continents, 18 countries, 51 localities, 338 days and innumerable memories my trip like all good things (and bad) is coming to an end.
To all my family and friends at home, I look forward to seeing you again shortly.
To all my new friends I've met on the road, I hope to see you again someday. You are all an inspiration and I'll will treasure our times together. You all have a standing invite to visit me if you're ever in my neck of the woods.
Till we meet again, Farewell
DJ
As they say in America, "What happens in Vegas, STAYS IN VEGAS!!!"
In that spirit I'm not gonna blog about it or post any pics with the exception of the attached pic which I think sums up Pattaya nicely. You'll just have to ask me about it in person. And maybe if you're lucky I'll share a few of the pics;)
So after 4 continents, 18 countries, 51 localities, 338 days and innumerable memories my trip like all good things (and bad) is coming to an end.
To all my family and friends at home, I look forward to seeing you again shortly.
To all my new friends I've met on the road, I hope to see you again someday. You are all an inspiration and I'll will treasure our times together. You all have a standing invite to visit me if you're ever in my neck of the woods.
Till we meet again, Farewell
DJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)