Dear Joyce,
I love my job. Seeing the wonders of the
world is exciting and is what keeps me going
day after day. As most of you know I recently
returned from a three week trip to Italy - it
was fabulous! When I got back to work and
poured through the stacks of travel
publications I found one article which was
quite interesting. I read that UNESCO states
that over 2/3 of the world's most treasured
art can be found in Italy which is by the
way, the most visited country in Europe. I
was amazed since when I have traveled to
Greece and Turkey - there are cities still
standing from before the year 2000 BC and
surely these must encompass a lot of area as
well. Maybe UNESCO is only counting paintings
and sculptures rather than entire cities!
As I was reminiscing about past travels I
found a common theme in my most memorable
trips and that was they all coincided with a
special event - full moon, solar eclipse,
torrential storm, migratory season, or
unexpected random event etc. I remember
chasing moonbows with my very young children
at Yosemite Falls; stopping for a photo op at
the Virgin Mary's house in Turkey and
developing the photo and low and behold we
have halo's around our heads (true story I
can send anyone who wants to see the photo a
copy); seeing the green flash on our first
visit to Tahiti; taking my aunts to Venice
and involuntarily experiencing the flooding
of St. Marks Square and waterfalls coming off
the Basilica - followed by a starlit night
with a full moon.
We all have these memories, I just want to
remind everyone that when traveling, if at
all possible, try to coincide a special event
with the places you plan on visiting.
Like visiting Chichen Itza, sure it is a
fabulous site to behold - but if you go
during the spring equinox then you actually
will witness what the Mayan's meant to
achieve when building the temple. Or how
'bout visiting the flower gardens in the
Netherlands that are only open 9 weeks out of
the year, surely this would be a treat if
visiting this bulblicious vicinity, or what
if you want to go to Alaska but to view the
Northern lights?
Above all things keep on traveling and
experience all the world has to offer in the
upcoming year!
Best wishes from Joyce, Vicki, Patricia,
Paula, Mike, and Tamara.
