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I Am Restless

I have been pacing my house like a caged animal, unsure of what I need. What gives me great pleasure and fills my life with joy? Wanderlust. Pure and simple. It is killing my spirit to be housebound. By now, I would have my next adventure planned and underway. I am feeling this acutely.

Wanderlust courses through my veins just as sure as my blood. This is my one true passion in life above all others.
There are some people that travel and are good at it. I am one of those people. There are those that want to travel and should not. They have this romantic idea of what it all should be. Face it, it can be hard work to plan a trip.

I usually travel alone….No, I am not afraid. I have good street smarts. I am not one to sit back and dream, I am a doer and a planner.

Travelling with me is not for the faint of heart. I move and I move fast. There is never enough time to get it all in, but I sure try. My son calls my trips death marches. Kind of funny. He stopped travelling because I am kind of intense…not kind of, very intense. I usually have a plan, but that is always subject to revision. I make lists of what I have to see since I only plan on being there once.

I have been all over the world: Madrid, London, Paris twice, Rome, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Beijing, Shanghai and all over the United States. There is not enough time to do what I want to do.

I am completely fascinated by mountains. Seeing the Alps, brought tears to my eyes. To hear about them for so long, then to see them was an emotional experience. I have climbed Diamondhead and the Great Wall of China. I have been in some of the greatest art galleries of the world. Everything is fascinating to me.

So what is on my bucket list? Lets see-Switzerland to see the Matterhorn, New York to see the Falls and a couple of dead presidents. Ireland now since I am primarily Irish, Italy to see PIza, Florence, Pompeii, Venice, my list changes daily…
What is stopping me? I have house repairs to make.

Expensive ones and I am mad. Last year I took 3 trips, this year none. I am sick at heart.

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KaleidoscopeMoment

I know that feeling...the itch on the feet...the pulse that's making you restless to pack your bags and just go.....

I used to travel a lot ..like weekly, monthly......I am sort of retired...I only travel a month in a year....but non-stop exploration and adventure on those 3-4 weeks.....

I miss the ocean, the peaks of mountains, the cliffs, the forests, the old museums, the historic churches, etc....the list goes on...

Responsibilities with real life. That's what's holding us back. Mortgage to pay. Projects to complete. Partner's schedules to consider too!

One of these days, I would just pack my carry-on and take the next flight to somewhere...anywhere...that's unpredictability of it all is what keeps my heart pumping and my pulse pounding!

akindheart · 61-69, F

C, i have nothing holding me back but money right now. I have to make some repairs to the house...
I was commenting the other day to someone on here and recounting the things that i have experienced and it made it worse...sigh...
When i plan a trip, the adrenaline starts and I am off.

KaleidoscopeMoment

I'm planning a big trip this year. Just have not finalized the dates because of my sked....something that would tick off a name from the bucket list.....

akindheart · 61-69, F

If you are anywhere close, let me know...

Harmonium1923

I also love to travel alone and set my own agenda. I like to travel to cities I haven't seen before, get a guidebook at the last minute, and just head out to explore. Some of the best places are those I stumble on by accident. The Musee Des Moyens-Ages in Paris is one of my favorite spots, and I'd never heard of it until I just happened to walk past. I also took a train to Canterbury Cathedral while staying in London once, and had an incredible day there. I could go on and on...

But don't give up too quickly on the US. You can have an amazing time with just a few days in NYC, San Francisco, New Orleans, or any number of other places...

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Harmonium1923

Other unplanned or last-minute travel delights: walk-up theater tickets in London or Dublin, the Dublin Writer's Museum (fascinating!), a "literary pub tour" in Edinburgh (Burns, Boswell and Stevenson while getting plastered on scotch whisky!), a neighborhood bakery in Montmartre, bookstalls along the Seine, hiking among the blooming giant cactus in Tucson in February, the "Black Cat" jazz club in New Orleans, more weird and wonderful spots in Portland Oregon than I could ever remember (only some of which involved naked hippies)...

akindheart · 61-69, F

omg...here is my list...got the walk up tickets...saw an Alfred Hitchcock play...did the open market in Montmarte...awesome flan...did the bookstalls on the Seine..LOL, omg..New Orleans...awesome...got plastered at one of the clubs...we did the ABC's of alcohol and was still standing at the letter L..Why? iwas dancing to Jimmy Buffett...ha ha...I was in San Fran...Haight Asbury...does that count?

akindheart · 61-69, F

Court of 2 sisters? is that it? cafe du monde? a hurricane. the NO jazz fest?

Harley52

Your problem is quite simple. You're sensible and practical. You understand what needs to get done before having that fun you desire. But remember honey that getting things fixed and taken care of is an accomplishment that you enjoy too. That's just one of the many things about you I adore. You never shirk nor run away from those necessities. Remember, you can still have plans ready to go as soon as things get back to rights, and take that little bit of enjoyment of planning the next trip. I wish I could be there to help but I have those same things to do and get done. Bucket lists....a bucket of soap & water....a bucket of paint...oh they on & on, don't they?
A very big hug for you my sweet lady, and a long satisfying one.....

akindheart · 61-69, F

i am saving now...i am going somewhere somehow...

richardkiss

I think that if I started travelling I too would soon become addicted to travel. Instead I realize that travelling uses up an enormous amount of time and money. The end result is the memory of experiences in one's mind and lots of photographs.
I resolved to do the total opposite to you and have concentrated on saving and investing any money I have so that every year I am a bit better off financially than the year before.To see assets build up gives me a great deal of satisfaction as for most of my life I have been engaged in working long hours and low pay.
To have been able to achieve some level of financial security in later life has made me feel truly grateful.
Richard

akindheart · 61-69, F

I would choose adventure and memories anyday over a bank account or debt...money will still be here, I would rather have memories.
my retirement is already set and paid for...xo

Diablessse

I have it almost as bad as you do and my list of places to see keeps growing. It seems the more places I visit, the more there are I want to see. Top of my list is Macchu Picchu in Peru, closely followed by South Africa. I make lists of what to see, try to cram it all in a couple of days then spend the rest of the time walking and taking in the feel of the places I visit.

akindheart · 61-69, F

chichen itza was amazing...a long drive to get to it, but well worth the trip. I just follow my wanderlust and make the most of it.

akindheart · 61-69, F

I love hiking...i was hiking up the Great Wal with this 35 yr old lady. She was having a really rough time getting up the hill .....she said I can tell you are in good shape...she was behind me...LOL

Dekora

Ah yes, the problems of home maintenance. I hope your issue is not extremely huge - but from the sounds you describe, the repairs are not for the faint of heart. I hope your wanderlust can be cured soon. Hugz,

akindheart · 61-69, F

come get me in your truck....we can do the open road!

Pmacphoto

Why do people wants to take expensive trips to other countries ?. America has everything a person could want, it is beautiful and it is OURS.

Pmacphoto

Well move to Africa or Russia, lots of room there. I love my country, and I gave up 4 years of my life to serve MY COUNTRY and I am damn proud of MY COUNTRY. I guess you never put your life on the line for MY COUNTRY like I did. So where ever you came from go back if we are too small.

akindheart · 61-69, F

I can actually go to Europe for the cost of anywhere in the US...sad huh?

Carissimi

Because wherever one goes in the states, the culture is the same...American. Nothing wrong with America, but some want to explore other cultures and sights that are nothing like America. This country is based on freedom, and you should respect that we all have a right to make our own choice to see the cultures we desire to experience.

Jim44444

All that traveling and you have not been to Niagara Falls? If you can't take a big trip just drive down to Key West for a few days.

akindheart · 61-69, F

Been there and done that many many times...Niagara Falls has been on my bucket list for a long time...but it cost well over 1000 for a weekend. I can go to Europe for the same money..I went to Madrid for 399 plus single supplement..

Jim44444

I can see your point. The Falls are an easy 3 hour drive for me so I have been there many times. I have been to Key West 8 times and am still glad to return again.

akindheart · 61-69, F

I have been there more times than i can admit...i am ready to try new horizons...the falls are it for me...

tachyon768

wow!! you sound like my kind of wanderlustful traveller..

happy to know that im not the only one..we can travel together sometime

akindheart · 61-69, F

sure...would love the company...but no whining ok?

tachyon768

sure..we'll be good travel buddies

akindheart · 61-69, F

absolutely!

mickjag

don't waste your time seeing pisa,, its a tourist trap, trust me,, spend more time in venice , or rome, or even Sorrento, the amafali coast really beautiful

akindheart · 61-69, F

I heard Sorrento is absolutely amazing..and the Isle of Capri is awesome too..

Dreampoet

You remind me of my sister Linda, she has been everywhere and is ready to go at a moments notice.

akindheart · 61-69, F

i have had that luxury of being able to do that...not have to ask what someone thinks or wants..

JohnInKansas

Try looking at America from the inside out ... call the nearest bus station and take the next bus to wherever.

akindheart · 61-69, F

no buses....a plane...i have a couple of ideas...

showstar

Skip New York for the Falls. See the from the Canadian side.

akindheart · 61-69, F

I was making reservations to go to the falls and it was more expensive than going to Europe. So off i went to Europe. no lie. I work with a travel agent that has the best deals. I am so heartbroken, i can't even open the specials from them or off i would go.

prettyfate

I'm always restless and I love to travel whether alone or in a group.

akindheart · 61-69, F

I decided a long time ago to not let anyone stand in my way for travelling. I have found one lady i liked to travel with. She could not keep up...so I go alone. And I am ok with that too.

MasterTickler

Poor baby. Get all the repairs. Then next year take four trips. :)

akindheart · 61-69, F

I plan on it darn it...LOL

AndyG5v

It does sound like you get around town.

akindheart · 61-69, F

And that is the short list babe!!

whatever8888

Jump in your car and go on a road trip.

akindheart · 61-69, F

the problem is anywhere i can drive will be cold...i have done Key West more times than i care to mention.

Hikingguy

Ugh! I know the feeling!

akindheart · 61-69, F

i will be ok in a couple of years...the house will be paid for and off i can go..

RiversideMan

Wanderlust? Do tell?

akindheart · 61-69, F

i think i am part gypsy in my heart and soul...once you start travelling, you want to do it all.

yahooabcd

Oh my so sad AKH!

akindheart · 61-69, F

I know. I am pitiful when i whine

dusty825

Take a road trip

akindheart · 61-69, F

hmmmm...florida is not that interesting all the time...i need distance.

billybcgn25

Drive to SW Missouri...

akindheart · 61-69, F

I have been there...and loved it! hannibal, jesse james, branson, kansas city to see the Arabian...loved it...ohhhhh and i saw Harry and Bess

expressomarkie

Fabulous:)

akindheart · 61-69, F

I think so too...call me Gypsy...xo

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