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:
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Across Russia on the Trans Siberian Railway
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Driving Chile from top to bottom with my travel buddy, Mr. Mike
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Visiting the Amazon rainforest in Peru
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Safaris in Africa and a visit to Barry the V in Cape Town
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Tasting champagne in Champagne, France
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Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
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Viewing the Aurora borealis inside the Arctic Circle in Alaska
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Jetboating in Queenstown, New Zealand
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Amtrak across the U.S. (many times)
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Crossing Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin in 1971.
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Angela in Kuala Lumpur
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Jason and Chin in Penang
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Roath in Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Cesar in the Amazon
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Barry the V, all over the world
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Itsuyo in Tokyo
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Carlos in Mexico City
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Aram in Toronto
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Michael on the Trans Siberian
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Kavita at Wimbledon
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Tom and Sohbee in Shanghai
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Rimma in St. Petersburg
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Danny in Bangkok
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Kelsey in Chelsea
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Dirty Pat in Nawlins at Super Bowl 47
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Ginny in Washington, DC
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Megan in Bigfork, Montana
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Wendy, Michael, and Tanya in Seattle
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Max and Marilyn on the VIA Canadian
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Rey and Corinne in Kauai
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Ken and Debbie in Vegas
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Leicey and Ben in Honolulu
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Jeff and Lori in Reno
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Marci’a in Carmel
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Ric from LA
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Savannah from Arroyo Grande
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John from Scottsdale
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Mel from Sacramento