My Geography Class

Posted by golfkat on September 14, 2018
Posted in: Cultures, Travel. Leave a comment

On our first assignment in my Geography class at the local community college, the prof asked, “What is geography?”

Rather than provide the correct textbook answer, I provided my own.  He must have liked it since I got a good score.  I wrote:  “Geography means to dream about places to visit, looking at maps and wishing to be there.”

As a kid, we had a great set of encyclopedias.  The maps and countries associated with them were in full color.  They seemed to invite me to the places I was reading about.  Little did I know, back then, I would become a world traveler, of sorts.  My brother said I should just teach this class myself!!!!

 

Yes, there are places I would not go.  But many more places where I would go.  Note:  The above wooden map, one of my few prized possessions.

I was asked to list my favorite trips (in no particular order).  Here they are:

  1. Across Russia on the Trans Siberian Railway
  2. Driving Chile from top to bottom with my travel buddy, Mr. Mike
  3. Visiting the Amazon rainforest in Peru
  4. Safaris in Africa and a visit to Barry the V in Cape Town
  5. Tasting champagne in Champagne, France
  6. Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
  7. Viewing the Aurora borealis inside the Arctic Circle in Alaska
  8. Jetboating in Queenstown, New Zealand
  9. Amtrak across the U.S. (many times)
  10. Crossing Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin in 1971.
But perhaps, a little deeper into travel and geography, are the reasons why I, and many of you, travel.  It is not just to see the place or famous site.  It is about the people we meet along the way.  Sometimes strangers, sometimes a guide who becomes a friend, and other times, a well constructed meeting.  Who might some of these be?
  1.  Angela in Kuala Lumpur
  2. Jason and Chin in Penang
  3. Roath in Siem Reap, Cambodia
  4. Cesar in the Amazon
  5. Barry the V, all over the world
  6. Itsuyo in Tokyo
  7. Carlos in Mexico City
  8. Aram in Toronto
  9. Michael on the Trans Siberian
  10. Kavita at Wimbledon
  11. Tom and Sohbee in Shanghai
  12. Rimma in St. Petersburg
  13. Danny in Bangkok
  14. Kelsey in Chelsea
I am sure there are many others I have left off.  My apologies.  How about closer to home?
  1. Dirty Pat in Nawlins at Super Bowl 47
  2. Ginny in Washington, DC
  3. Megan in Bigfork, Montana
  4. Wendy, Michael, and Tanya in Seattle
  5. Max and Marilyn on the VIA Canadian
  6. Rey and Corinne in Kauai
  7. Ken and Debbie in Vegas
  8. Leicey and Ben in Honolulu
  9. Jeff and Lori in Reno
  10. Marci’a in Carmel
  11. Ric from LA
  12. Savannah from Arroyo Grande
  13. John from Scottsdale
  14. Mel from Sacramento
Again, I have left many of you out, for that, I am sorry.  And I also left out our great National Parks, most of which I have visited west of the Mississippi River.  My favorites:  Bryce Canyon, Arches, Yosemite, and Jellystone.  Ask Yogi and Boo Boo about that one!
All of you, and others, are what make my trips special.  There are sights that must be seen, like the migration on the Serengeti, or the vast ruins of Angkor Wat.  But the people create the lasting memories, the good times, some fun and crazy evenings, but mostly good friendship.
Here is to all of you!!!!

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