The first quote in the book is by Zora Hurston :
"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."
I knew I was going to love it! Having traveled and explored extensively as an (independent) woman, I could relate so many of the tales Alice Steinbach shared as she made her way from Paris to London and Oxford, on to Italy, following the must-do North to South trail. Whatever she experiences from her surroundings pale in comparison to her journey within. I am a true believer that we have to shift our perspective, our routine and comfort zones, to really get to know ourselves and to grow. My learnings have been to always have a plan, but to manage your expectations on how it unfolds; to fully live in the moment, rather than rushing of to the next destination; and to be flexible to take any turn without being too hung up on the schedule... A perfect analogy for life.
Alice captures this when she writes...."I had my map and I started walking. When I approached the corner, I wondered: should I turn right? Or left? Then I realised that it didn't really matter. Either way, something new - perhaps a tiny adventure - awaited my arrival. I hurried down the street. Whatever was around the corner, I didn't want to miss a minute of it."
And this is the delight of travel. It reveals opportunities, it inspires and unexpectedly delights. But most of all it opens the windows to your soul:
We go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and we pass by ourselves without wondering....
St Augustine
And just when I think I have done enough travel to last me a few life times, I find myself becoming restless again, almost like that Ionging for a soul-mate. A plaintive call which cannot be ignored.
In the meantime, as I plan the next trip, this book will do nicely....
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