It is my humble opinion, that there is nothing to truly inspire wanderlust more than growing up surrounded by red brick buildings and mature oak trees. From a young age, I was always searching for sky and space, peeking around buildings, peering through thick tree trunks and tree leaves. Always looking up, out, and beyond. Of course I realize this is not the case for many. I’m a strange bird in this regard, I think.

 

It’s not that I was consciously looking for ways out of my small town, or that I’m "knocking" my heavily-wooded upbringing. Having grown up in and around the Washington, DC area, you really are quite landlocked (unless you count your location on the Potomac River). It really is a beautifully spectacular historic city. I have a great appreciation for it and have never taken it for granted. 

 

My favorite hobby as a teen, whether by myself or with friends, was navigating the rather efficient underground Metro system. My top destination? The Mall. To those unfamiliar, it’s not a shopping center. It’s the cultural epicenter of our Nation's capital. It includes several of the nation's Museums, iconic Memorials honoring our founding fathers, heroes of war and most of the country’s government buildings, not the least of which is the White House, just up the street. Whether taking the metro, driving through the parkway, or utilizing the preferred method of biking along Rock Creek Park from suburban Maryland on the outskirts, into the heart of DC, getting there was always my goal. 

 

I treasured being able to explore my favorite haunts. Traveling the epicenter of the city involved touring around the Tidal Basin, the Ellipse, several of the nation's free Museums, iconic Memorials honoring our founding fathers, heroes of war and most of the country’s government buildings, not the least of which is the White House, just up the street. Other favorites are the nearby National Zoo, the Ford Theater (where President Lincoln was shot), the FBI building, the Library of Congress, and seeing performances at the beautiful Kennedy Center. Somewhat further afield into Virginia, are the Arlington Cemetery, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and the Pentagon as well as many other delights. 

 

There was a very special spot called Gravelly Point Park along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, where you could park your car, or find a spot on the grass next to the runway of the Ronal Reagan Washington National Airport, and experience the complete sensory bliss (sight, smell, sound, and physical vibrations) of a jumbo jet flying very low, right over your head. Sometimes they were so close you felt you could reach up and grab a landing wheel. I recall smelling the jet fuel, partially covering my ears (oh, how I loved that sound), and giggling, feeling the wind vortex carrying me along with it, to some unknown faraway location of adventure. I had never felt so alive. I simply fell in love with those hunk-a-hunk of burning metal tubes. As an aside, it was a great “parking” spot as well, if you know what I mean 🙂

 

It can’t be difficult now for you to guess my favorite Smithsonian Museum of them all. Yep, The Air and Space Museum. 

 

As a young girl, I was introduced to Greece via a wall calendar my Mother had on our kitchen wall, each page flip always representing a new monthly representation of what I thought was actual Heaven, not a place on this earth you could actually visit. 

 

Not just Greece, however. I remember being introduced to Lawrence of Arabia, Arabian Nights, the Alchemist and many other great works of literature about a world and culture so exotic and so far from my western American understanding. All of them in some way whispered to me of long camel rides across dusty sands in brutal sun and isolating windstorms, searching for the ever out-of-reach mirage at an age where my imagination was at its most fertile. The Bible later confirmed to me that these places actually exist and inspired me to plan travel to ancient biblical lands. It’s an unbelievable experience to be in the actual places I long ago read and dreamed about, and to ride camels at sunset across a place so different from where I call home. History does seem to whisper tales across time, in land, sand dunes and wind….

 

The above is a very expounded way of stating that all our dreams have origins.  Some are deeper and more lasting than others. 

 

A large portion of my career has been in either aviation or aerospace, always chasing either planes or space. This was partially by design and what was placed in my heart at a young age, but mostly by the winds of fate. This, combined with being introduced to reading about far away places at a young age, introduced me to my strong desire for travel. I’ve traveled several places in the world, but my ultimate destination was always to be Greece; Greece, where the sun kisses the sea, history whispers through the stones, and every moment feels like a timeless embrace. 

 

Have you ever thought of, or held a place close in your heart, that you wonder about, long for, or when you hear mentioned in any conversation, causes your heart to quicken a little?  Do you find there is such a place that when you read books based there, or see shows or movies filmed in that location, you suddenly have to research all about that place and envision what it would be like to be there? To perhaps even live there? 

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I may be a rare breed (although I do know many like me), but I’ve always seen travel, or the love of travel, as a very spiritual experience. For some, it’s where you find your true self. You find what you're made of. It also teaches patience and hopefully compassion. We quickly realize we are all from this beautiful creation called human kind.

 

Travel is not all the travel magazines, journals, and Instagram posts make it out to be. It’s not always easy. Or convenient. Or pretty.  It takes fighting crowds, sometimes prejudices, overcoming some fears, sometimes getting desperately lost, dedicated planning, diligent research and above all, humility and curiosity. And above all, the ability to be flexible. 

 

Not to say that some travel shouldn’t be a bit more spontaneous and unplanned, but of course it depends on where you’re going and how you’re getting there. There is always a balance to be found here. 

 

Are you packing and flying to see familiar family in a comfy setting, staying mostly in one place?  Probably no big deal. 

 

Are you traveling with several friends to an all-inclusive tropical resort?  Usually the biggest travel worry here is what to wear and what to drink when you get there. It’s also very important here to understand your chemistry and ease with the friends you are traveling with. Things can quickly go wrong when alcohol, money, bathroom time, and general health are involved. Travel compatibility is truly a thing. Don’t underestimate it. 

 

Are you planning to travel to see friends you haven’t seen for 40 years for a high school reunion?  Maybe a bit bigger deal.  That takes wardrobe planning and if you have rivals or ex-boyfriends in attendance, entails potential emotional upheaval, but mostly, savvy. This angst usually applies to 10 and 20 year reunions. Hopefully by the 30th, 40th reunions and so on, you’re just happy to see everyone and grateful for all that are still alive. But I digress….:)

 

Are you joining a tour group flying long distances to somewhere in the world?  Planning this requires what to pack, how much to pack and understanding weather and cultural sensibilities. Determining what activity levels you’re up for, studying up on the historical and cultural history of the countries you’re visiting, and learning some basic key words of the language(s) are usually crucial to having a positive memorable experience. Always pack a journal and keep your phone charged. 

 

Are you planning a solo trip, or maybe going with a lone friend or two to somewhere new in the world? Somewhere that perhaps speaks a different language?  THIS is where the magic happens, and is often where you find out what you’re made of. All of the above applies. 

 

Are you the one that thrives on planning the details? Do you like collaboration? Are you able to consider others and be willing to compromise on the big things as well as the little things?  Are you happy to just be there and follow the itinerary put forth by a travel companion?  Finding out what your travel style and personality is, is so fun but is a growth experience, and also crucial to help you have a happy, memorable, and sometimes life-changing experience.  We often find out what these soft skills are in ourselves well before travel, but travel tends to highlight the best and worst of us, because the challenges are unique on the road, and often in close quarters.

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We are here to help you discover your true self through travel, and sincerely hope that most importantly, you find that you can give your dreams wings. 

 

Much love and happy travels,

Christel