I hate flying!

Yes, it`s true...I hate flying.  However, the only way to get to most of the places in the world that I want to visit is to board an airplane and endure all of the nastiness it entails.  Oh, how I wish I lived in the days when flying was a special event - and people actually washed, got dressed up and treated the airplane with respect.

Unfortunately the reality is far, far more horrible - wash? - why wash, when I'm just gonna sleep anyhow, -dress up? - why dress up, my clothes will just get wrinkly, so I'll just wear these ones I've been wearing for the last couple of days - brush my teeth? comb my hair? - that can wait til I get to the hotel at my destination.  And yes, I will jam my carryon into that overhead bin if it kills me - but can you give me a hand lifting it?

Other people aside, I'm also somewhat of a "germ-a-phobe"...anyone who knows me, knows that I don't leave home without my anti-bac hand wash and a healthy supply of wipes. (And I guarantee if you travel with me, at some point you will be oh-so-thankful that I have them!)  The first thing I do when boarding an airplane is get out my wipes and wipe down any surface I may come in contact with - the armrests, window shade and especially the tray table - I have personally witnessed many horrific things taking place on the tray table - diaper changing, bare feet using the actual table as a foot rest, children jumping on them with dirty shoes, and noses being blown and kleenex's being set on them....and who knows what I haven't seen?!  And did you know that those table are rarely wiped down, let alone actually sanitized - it's no wonder people get sick after flying.

And the bathrooms?...it is a mystery to me why people feel it's ok to be "messy" in a public bathroom and not clean up after themselves.  I have learned over time and through bad experiences to avoid using the airplane bathroom at all costs - I will deny myself liquids leading up to and on the flight, if it will help me avoid the gross experience of having to using the airplane restroom.

Yes, I hate flying for the reasons mentioned above - and the obvious ones?  mechanical malfunctions, terrorists?...nah, I'm too busy worrying about germs that I don't even think about those.  BUT - I will never let my dislike for flying stop me from travelling.  When I hear about people who "won't fly" for whatever reason, I feel sorry for them - they are denying themselves one of the greatest pleasures in life...the wonderful experiences and memories that travelling gives us.  One of my favourite quotes - "The world is a book and those who don't travel read only a page" St. Augustine

So...as I write this I'm packing my bags for a new journey, one I'm quite excited about - but also slightly anxious about as this time I'll be flying overseas, by myself, for the first time.  Fingers crossed that my "seatmate" has showered, applied deodorant, doesn't snore or drool or have a cold - not too much to ask is it? lol

P.S...flying tip - don't spray hairspray in the airplane bathroom...it may set off the smoke detectors and a loud alarm and have everyone staring daggers at you as you emerge from the bathroom.  Don't ask me how I know ;-P

Happy Birthday Mickey!!

No matter how great a vacation is, I have this "thing" about returning to the same place - a fact which sometimes drives my husband a little crazy - no matter how great the resort or destination, I always want to find "something better" or "newer" or "different".

However, that rule has never applied to my favourite place on earth - Walt Disney World!  I have lost count how many times I've been to The World (probably more than 40) and I never tire of it.  People ask me why I love it so much and I'd have to say I'm drawn to the guy that started it all - nope, not Walt (although I do think he was a brilliant man) -it's Mickey Mouse.  Yep, I love Mickey Mouse - he's always happy, reigns over a magical kingdom,  and has been the source of so many amazing memories in my lifetime.  I will never forget riding Space Mountain for the first time with my Dad, experiencing my husband and daughter's first visit - he at 24, she at 10 mos., riding Tower of Terror with my Mom, and on, and on.....so  many of my happiest memories have involved Mickey and his world.  So today, I'd just like to say "Happy Birthday Mickey!"...thanks for the memories, and here's to 83 more!!

"I only hope we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney

Day-trip to the Big(ger) city

Although Puebla is a big city - 1 to 3 million pop., depending on who you ask - we don't seem to attract the big names in entertainment, so for that we have to travel to Mexico City, or D.F. as it's referred to here.  Yesterday we made the trip to D.F. to see Cirque du Soleil's OVO, which is playing in the upscale neighborhood of Santa Fe.  Being in Santa Fe makes you feel like you're not in Mexico at all but some other well-to-do city anywhere in North America.  Corporate headquarters abound, and this is where you will find some of the best chain restaurants and a huge shopping mall with every brand name you could want!  I love Santa Fe for all it has to offer, but can't help but feel sad at the glaring disparity between Santa Fe and almost  every neighborhood you must pass through to get there.  I find that is my biggest struggle with living in Mexico...how do you justify the vast differences between those who "have" and the many more who "don't"?  It is definitely a gut-check each and every time I go to D.F. and always makes me evaluate what I can do to make someone's life a little bit easier while we live here.  It also makes me appreciate the blessed life that I have and never to take any of it for granted.  Being able to travel anywhere, whether for a day or for a week or longer is a real gift...if you are lucky enough to be able to travel - do it - enjoy it - be thankful - and remember that many people in the country you may be visiting may never have the wonderful opportunities you have been given, solely by the pure luck of where you are born - a random act of kindness to someone in a foreign country can be gratifying to you, but make a world of difference to them.  Travel thoughtfully :-)

When can we go?

As most who know me would verify, I'm pretty much open to travelling anytime to almost anywhere, and I've usually got several trips, both big and small, on my calendar at any given time.  So why blog about it?...well, I've had many people tell me that they enjoy hearing the tales of my travels (and I'm sure there are plenty who are sick of hearing the tales of my travels, lol) - but for those who enjoy it, or just want to see different parts of the world through my eyes - here you go!  I look forward to bringing you along on my journeys!