Beware of Sheep!
Mentally preparing for our RTW trip was one of the hardest parts. Trading the safety and comfort of what we knew and loved for unknown adventures waiting – well, that was tough. Thankfully, there were lots of others who had traveled this road before us and were kind enough to leave their words of wisdom as a roadmap for us to follow.
These words lifted us up so many times. Repeating them as a mantra when we were precariously perched on top of a wobbly elephant in Asia or getting ready to fall backwards into a deep, blue abyss kept us from the disappointment of not giving everything a try.
From the first words we adopted for our trip from Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” to the great advice on packing from Susan Heller, “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” these travel adages say it all.
Here are a few favorites and along the way, we even added our own snippets of experience to the renowned voices.
“Sometimes there is poetry written right on the bathroom wall” — Ani Difranco
And sometimes there is a sign on the bathroom door “Beware of Sheep Eating The Toilet Roll!” – Cheryl and Lisa
“The Answer My Friend is Blowing in the Wind” — Peter, Paul & Mary
At 130 KM/HR on the Italian Autostrada, it was our wet underwear blowing in the wind – Cheryl and Lisa
“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Must Begin with a Single Step” — Lao Tzu
Our journey began with a single step, two hundred nightmares, three journals, four guidebooks, and five pairs of underwear… Cheryl and Lisa
“Patience is a Virtue” — Chinese proverb
Especially if you’re the German tour group behind Lisa as all of her baggage falls and clogs the moving walkway in the airport – Cheryl and Lisa
What is YOUR favorite travel quote? What inspires you to keep going when the mosquitoes are biting or your luggage is lost (again)? What adage makes you want to pack your bags and head out again, even before the laundry is done from the trip you just completed?
Today What Boundaries? is participating in DeliciousBaby’s fun Photo Fridays, where everyone is invited to link to a travel photo.
January 9, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Funny! Helps you remember that you never know what you’re going to come across when you travel.
January 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Oh my goodness…I just busted out laughing!!! Thanks for sharing! I love to take pictures of funny signs.
January 10, 2009 at 2:05 am
If only I could take the advice about packing half the clothing and twice the money to heart!