Saying Goodbye to A Friend

Saying goodbye to a friend is never easy. Especially someone who you have become close to for about 10 years. A friend that has travel the world with you to Europe, Africa, Asia and South America with me. Who am I talking about? My passport!

For Thanksgiving in 2012, I wrote that I am thankful for what the passport stands for: being an American. The truth is that I am thankful for my passport. This combination of cardboard and paper opened the world to me. When I applied for the passport in August 2004, I had never left the United States. I applied for the passport for an upcoming Spring Break trip to London, which never happened. Never in my wildest dreams did I think 10 years later would I have visited Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. 2 continents shy of my goal of visiting all 7 by the age of 30.

Over the past 10 years, my passport has become one of my closest friends. Many of the trips I have taken have been solo. The only thing that has been with me on every trip has been my passport. Its been with me on every trip in my pocket, in my pouch across my chest, or under the airplane seat. I lose it all the time on the airplane. My recent trip to Canada will be my last with this passport. Its time to get it renewed. :(

Here is a quick look of every country that left a mark in my passport:

• Belgium - August 2005
• France - September 2005
• Ireland -September 2005
• Scotland - October 2005
• Italy - October 2005
• Switzerland - October 2005
• Cyprus -November 2005
• Austria - November 2005
• Serbia - November 2005
• Bosnia Herzegovina - November 2005
• Croatia - November 2005
• England - March 2006
• Spain - February 2009
• Canada - August 2010
• Germany - February 2012
• Burkina Faso - February 2012
• Niger - February 2012
• Mali - February 2012
• Portugal - February 2012
• Japan - December 2012
• Argentina - November 2013
• Canada - March 2014
• United States - to many times

I have traveled to many more countries, but within Europe travel between countries results in no stamps. Regardless, in 10 years, I think I did pretty well traveling the world part time.

Well good friend, its been nice knowing you. Enjoy retirement.

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Beware of Surcharges . . .

Even at resturants!

MSNBC reports about 7 tourists visiting Venice, Italy, who got sticker shock when their afternoon coffee bill came to 100 Euros ($130 USD). 

"The scene of the mishap was the famed Caffe Lavena in St. Mark's Square, where 19th century German composer Richard Wagner, who died in Venice in 1883, sat to have his morning coffee every day when he lived in the city."

Cafe Lavena Website

The tourists did not pay close attention to the menu's prices and surcharges. Close to half of their bill was music surcharges, at 6 Euros a person. The restaurant is defending itself pretty vehemently:

They (Caffe Lavena) said all the prices (six euros for a coffee and 10 for a liqueur) as well as the music surcharge, are printed on the menus. 

"If they found the prices too high, they could have got up and gone somewhere else, like many people do, or have the coffee standing at the bar inside, where it costs one euro," Lavena's manager, Massimo Milanese, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

I am going to side with the restaurant in this case. 6 Euro music surcharge for a chamber orchestra is a steal. Tourist need to do their due diligence before settling on a place to eat, drink or sleep. If you are unsure, ask the establishment before committing. 

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730 Days Left!!!!

Today is my 28th birthday! Today, also, leaves me 730 days left to accomplish my big travel goal: travel to seven continents in business class by May 2015.

As of today, I have hit four continents: North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Leaving South America,Australia and Antarctica. My plan is to visit South America in the fall. Next year, hit Australia or New Zealand; leaving Antarctica for January or February 2015.

Today, I add a new goal: visit all 50 States before the age of 40. In typically JD fashion, to count a state as visited, I must stay 3 nights in the state. The 3 nights don't have to be consecutive, but I do need to put my head on a pillow, rock or bench to count.

Below is a map of the states that I have visited and those I have not. The states colored in Red are ones that I have stayed 3+ nights in, the states colored in Green are ones that I have stayed 2+ nights, and all the rest are calling my name. So far I have visit 17 states: 10 for more than 3+ days.


Accomplishing 20% of my goal with 12 years left is a good start. As you can see, I need to visit middle America. Sad to say, I have treated it as fly-over country. Looking down from the plane wondering what is down there. Today, I make my promise to you, middle America...I am coming to visit!
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NYT: Europe, in 9 Walks - How Walks Can Show You The Real Side of A City

As I head out with Kelsey's family to enjoy a nice walk through southern Virginia, where we are staying this weekend I stumbled upon a great article in today's travel section of The New York Times that focuses on "Europe, in 9 Walks."

It features great walks from London to Turkey, Scotland to Berlin, and even a few that I have been on myself. But I have always felt that you can get the true character of a country, of a region and of a town if you just take a walk through its streets. Not just the streets next to the tourist areas and not just the three block area around your hotel, but the real streets. The streets that the locals take every day to and form their homes to work. The streets that feature their favorite restaurants and their favorite shops. You will then learn the true feeling of what it's like to live in the city.

When I studied abroad in London in College I would often use Saturday and Sunday to simply wander. I would use track work on the Tube to my advantage by hopping on at my local stop and then whenever I would hit some track work or a closed station I would just get off and explore that area! I found so many amazing things that way. From delicious restaurants to great views of famous sites that no one would think about...I kind of felt like I wasn't a tourist anymore, that I was just a citizen of that city ready to go about my weekend and enjoy my neighborhood.

So...where's your next walk? What's your favorite walk in a city you love?


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