Bali, Bangkok, Kyoto, Colombo, Istanbul, Samarkand, Des Moines, Ulan Bator, Rio, Marrakesh….
When I was seventeen, I entered that list in the back of my diary, as I lay on my bed, looking out of the window at the pictures made by the clouds in the sky. I never really believed that I'd ever visit any of those places, but I'd just read On the Road, The Great Railway Bazaar and The Lonely Planet Guide to South-East Asia, and I was so full of wanderlust that I was fit to burst.
One day, I just stood on the road in front of my house and stuck my thumb out. It's really true: the first step is the hardest. I've been traveling pretty well ever since. I have visited 94 countries, but I still haven't been to all of the places on my original list, and, in a way, I don't want to...yet. I want to save a few for later.
I've visited some of them though and who'd have believed that I'd wind up one day riding a bicycle around Bali, sleeping on a tatami mat in Kyoto, staying for more than a year in a house on stilts at the edge of the South China Sea, sleeping in a yurt in the Gobi Desert, or traveling overland, half-way round the world by train from Beijing to London or by bus from Mexico to Chile?
I have kept lists of things to do ever since because I think it's important in life to have something to look forward to. Just before the beginning of every year, I get a new diary and the first thing I do is write three lists in the back: countries to visit, books to read and films to see.
Here are the top tens from my current lists:
Countries to visit:
Books to read:
Films to see:
Why not try making some lists of your own? Then you'll always have something to look forward to.
Welcome to http://ian-englishmanabroad.blogspot.com/
13 comments:
Thanks for the ec drop! I love your colorful blog... and I'm inviting you to my blog again and if you like you can follow me and I will follow you.
Have a great week!
- http://inlovewithdaisies.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting. I followed you. From your blog, I can tell you enjoy your life very much, but I couldn't leave a comment.
Great post Ian!
All my support...
Your words are an inspiration and could get even the most complacent couch potato to get up, get packing, and get the hell out of dodge!
Oh you have a lot of countries to visit. Hope your dream will come true.
Mharms
Mhar's Display
Love this post! Thanks for sharing the idea. Oh, how I'd love to walk in your shoes. Such an adventurous and interesting approach to life. God bless!
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
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Your book reviews are great.
Ian, it requires a lot of good judgment and discipline to travel through all these countries and places without being hurt.
I notice several books written by Chinese and Japanese writers. Happy reading!
Good for you. It's good that you're doing all that while you can.
Perhaps when I retire, I'll be able to travel to some of those destinations you've mentioned.
Thanks for dropping me an Entrecard.
Tasha
What a terrific post by Ian . . . and to you kudos for bringing attention to it. You mention having had kept a diary--me too for almost 35 years now ! and I am only 42. Discovered your blog from your usage of VINEFIRE--one of my special Beta projects I see is working its way fantastically through the world wide web ! Pleased to make your acquaintance and do check my blog here too when you get a moment . . .
sharing the light,
miss erica hidvegi
Excellent. This is a classic list and appreciate the time you spend to collect this.
Sherin
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