My most recent travel scheme features Mongolia, Ethiopia, Iran, and a return to Turkey. For awhile I was obsessed with a magnificent archipelago in Norway, but I'd still like to save some of the “safer” countries for when I am older and potentially infirm and like to throw money around.
My fascination with Mongolia is on the newer side of things and mostly has to do with the horse culture there. I wish there were more horses in my life. I saw a documentary on horse people and they showed Mongolian racing competitions and these young children riding, and these beautiful beautiful people and their gorgeous horses, and I was sold.
It's somewhat surprising to realize I've been to Ethiopia three times already. I thought 2008 would be my last, as my sister's family was planning on moving to Sudan next, and thus there would be no real reason for me to return. And this saddened me since the more I saw of Ethiopia the more I loved and admired it, and one of my goals was to see the rock churches of Lalibela, the city of Gondor, and to return to Lake Langano, which was absolutely crammed with wildlife and which made a deep impression on me. I was charmed from the moment we drove through a green boxcar that served as both a bridge and gate. Now my sister, brother-in-law, and their five children are returning after all, to a different part of the country (propitiously closer to Lalibela), and so my thoughts once again turn to travelling there.
Iran has been on my list for a few years now, ever since reading a book called “Poets and Pahlevans”, which is about the Persian culture of poetry and wrestling. The moment I read about Iranians visiting revered poets' tombs to picnic and recite poetry in public, I knew I had to visit one day. As a result I've been watching the political situation there fairly closely for the last few years.
Turkey was one of my favourite stops on my round the world trip in 2008, but all I saw was Istanbul. I'd like to broaden my experience of the country and maybe do a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Despite my near-obsession with hot-air balloons, I have never actually ridden in one, except in my dreams.
Like my 2008 itinerary, this one is subject to revision as time goes on, and as I discuss the prospect with a travel agent. It also hinges on whether or not I'm able to get anything done on my straw-bale-home dream this year. But it's nice to have a dream to hang my hat on in these last few cold winter months. Dreaming about travel is two thirds of the fun.
1 comments:
When will you be leaving us, and for how long?!!! You just may be able to tempt me to join you in Turkey, though it is likely that timing will get in the way of that happening...
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