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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Maps.com Provides Best Souvenir of All

Posted by Dylan on May 21, 2008

Traveling is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I love traveling across the United States, Mexico and Europe. But what I get myself as souvenirs from these trips surprises people a lot of the time. Instead of bringing home a sombrero from Mexico or a miniature Leaning Tower of Pisa, I keep my maps as a keepsake from trips. I went through all of my storage boxes a few years ago and I found trinkets from past trips that did nothing but collect dust and take up space. That is why I now keep my maps as souvenirs.

My Italy map has cappuccino spots on it. While I was there I drank coffee all day long. I walked around the country or took buses everywhere that I went. My map got a lot wear and tear. It’s wrinkled and stained but it has a lot of character and I have it framed. It hangs on the wall of my study.

I am from the Heartland of American so I grew up in the perfect position to drive around and see this great country. Needless to say, my maps of United States are very worn. I have been from Oklahoma to Florida, Oklahoma to Michigan, Oklahoma to California and everywhere in between. I am not even close to finishing my U.S. travels so that map will not be retiring any time soon.

And my Mexico maps have seen better days. I tend to fly to Mexico because it can be dangerous to drive around that country. But once I’m in the area that I want to be, I rent a car and see all of the sights. I saw the entire city of Mexico City and even the ruins of Chichen Itza. The beaches were beautiful and that trip was one that I will never forget. I did retire those maps because they were really used. I think I’ll treat myself to a new souvenir the next time that I take a trip to Central America.

Map, Journal and Photos Keep Trip New

Posted by Dylan on April 9, 2008

I have been very lucky in life and I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to travel quite a lot. I always write in my traveling journal and I always make notes on the maps that I use to get around. I’ve found that the notes, journal entries and photographs of the places I’ve visited help me to remember better. Last year I spend several months in Asia and I was able to spend quality time in several countries, rather than just hop from one to another.

My map of Philippines is quite worn. I used it to get everywhere. There are food stains on it and some stains that I have no idea what it is. I wrote in my journal quite a lot. One thing that I remarked on quite a bit was the attitude of the people. Most seemed very pleasant and welcoming. I would like to visit there again simply because of the people.

I spend a month in Malaysia also. I used several maps to keep from getting lost and all of the maps of Malaysia are stained and worn. I feel like the older my maps look, the more I saw of the country. I wouldn’t want to spend all of that time and money to visit another culture and find that I didn’t see much of it.

I would have to say of all of the Asian countries that I spent time in, Thailand was my favorite. My once crisp and nice Thailand map is not crumpled, stained and there is writing all over it where I took notes of the places that I went to.

I don’t think that I would be able to remember those countries and my time spent in them as well if I did not have the entries from my journal, the pictures that I took there and the maps that I used to get around. I never go anywhere without all three of these things.

Be the Best You with My Friends at Liberty League

Posted by Dylan on April 7, 2008

I’ve never been much of a daredevil. In fact, I have roller coasters and anything related. But when I got to the convention of Liberty League International, I’ve found that I don’t have to be afraid.There is a video about Liberty League online if you want to learn more about them. I’ve found that in order for me to good in my life, I have to do good by me. I’ve been able to with some inspiration.

I’ve been to several places to hear people from Liberty League Intl speak and I always leave feeling great. Not only do I dislike things like roller coasters, but I dislike people a lot. I’ve learned how to deal with them also. I’ve learned how to like people by liking myself more. It just takes me knowing myself and what I’m capable of. I didn’t think I would ever finish my master’s but I did. I didn’t think I would ever like zip-lining but I did. I find that Liberty League knows how to inspire me.

I’m going to Rome this year for another conference. I cannot wait. I want to eat real Italian food and to drink Italian wine. I bet the cappuccino is top notch there also. I always bring my journal with me wherever I go and I bet that I will fill it up while I’m there.

The Anticipation and Joy of Travel

Posted by Dylan on February 22, 2008

I am always on the go.  But every so often I get some time off and I love to travel.  So again I’m on the go….just in a different way!

I just got back with my worn map of Mexico in hand from a trip south of the border.  I had a great time and it got me thinking about maps.  I always like to do research before my trips and so I have amassed a collection of maps.  In my desk at this moment are a map of Maryland, a map of New Jersey and a a map of Ohio. Maps surround me while I work.  I have an antique map of Middle East on the wall in my office.

As I said I love to travel and having maps around helps me to keep my thirst of knowledge about our world quenched between trips.  I have quite a collection of photographs from my past trips.  However there is nothing like planning a new trip and the anticipation and joy that this brings.