day 20 – your mission, should you choose to accept it

What’s up y’all?  It’s quiet in Internet land these days.  Am I boring you to tears or is everyone on the nablopomo boat with me… rocking along, somewhat begrudgingly stumbling towards your computer minutes before midnight to write your post for the day, which leaves little time to read others’ entries?  I hear ya!  Only 11 posts to go, my friends.

In the meantime, I thought I would shake things up a bit by giving you a mission.  Who can resist a mission?  Anyone who is struggling through nablopomo understands the lure of a personal challenge.  So, I’m throwing one your way.  It’s not an impossible mission, it will not self-destruct in 5 seconds, but it is a mission of high importance  nonetheless.

It all started this morning, as I ran towards the bus with my coffee mug in one hand and lunch bag in the other, fingers freezing and little cloud puffs trailing behind me.  It was c-c-c-cold.  We’ve officially entered “below zero” territory and for me, that means instant visions of beaches and sunbrellas and limes and Coronas.  As I hopped on the bus, smelling of the coffee that spilled down my pants, I came to the conclusion that it’s time for me to move a certain item to the top of my to do list, and that item is travel.

I can deal with winter and snowflakes and back-aching chills.  In fact, I welcome it leading up to the holidays (Christmas and palm trees don’t really work for me, in fact, the thought makes my brain short circuit).  But come February, the white stuff gets old and layers aren’t so much a fashion statement as a requirement for survival and minus 30 is like the teenager of the seasons; it bites and talks back and is a rebellious pain in the ass.

But this year, for the first time in ages, I get to escape it.  As of February 16th, almost exactly 1 year after my separation, I’m taking 5 weeks off and I have not yet decided where in the world I want to go.  That is not a metaphorical sentence, it is very literal.  Where, on this planet, do I want to step foot for 5 weeks?  Bearing in mind that I am a single woman, traveling alone and I would like to take one of those weeks on a photography tour… where should I go?

Do I want to eat massive amounts of pasta and cheese and drink molto vino in Italy? Or go to a Full Moon party in Thailand?  Do I spend a week in even colder climate to see northern lights for the first time (one of my dreams) or should I witness the architectural wonders of Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids or St. Basil’s Cathedral?  Do I saunter through a Marrakesh Market and dip my hands in baskets of Moroccan spices or feast on Paella in Valencia?  Perhaps scuba dive the great coral reef of Australia or go on an African safari?  Maybe I just need to chill out on Bora Bora or Bali or meet the lovely people of New Zealand?

My God, where do I go?  I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had a little bit of money and time, together, coexisting.  This is very new to me and I don’t know if I’ll ever have an opportunity like this again, which is why I’m having a tough time deciding.  And so, I beg for your help.  In return, I promise to post many photos and stories from abroad in the bleak winter months.  Where have you been in this world that you would recommend to anybody?  Where would you go if you could go anywhere?  Sure my budget is limited, sure I’m flying solo but if money was no object, if there were no constraints, where would your heart fly you?

11:45pm – over and out