TIME TO PONDER

October 18, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

I’ll be back on Monday and would be delighted, in the meantime, if you would look through my previous posts. Perhaps you missed a few or will reread one with a new perspective.There is a list of all the previous posts by title and date.

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Photographs, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe-of course its free.
I would be delighted if you would sign up.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.

THOUGHTS ON ONESELF

TRAVELING, LESSONS LEARNED

October 17, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

My journeys not only provide new experiences, they have encouraged/taught me self-reliance, organization skills, acceptance of situations and others, courage, and a sense of humor.

Meeting people and seeing their varied lives has shown me that options abound.
If things are not working out as I had hoped, they will, as long as I do not linger in the negative.
If I get delayed somewhere, I know the time will pass- even 12 hour bus rides come to an end.

Traveling offers me a chance to bring new found wisdom, home.

VIEWPOINTS

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

October 16, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

What defines the perfect guest? Benjamin Franklin said, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” but even one day can be too long for certain invitees.

Perhaps we can find a means to review the basics with anyone who may need a gentle reminder:

Be sure your arrival is expected; keep the home neat and clean; chip in with any chores and expenses; be respectful of others; be positive company; remember to say thank you; if you use something return it to its place; do not snoop; offer a gift or some token of your appreciation; know when it’s time to leave.

Fortunately, most of us only have positive things to say about those we welcome into our homes, but Mr. Franklin probably spoke from experience.

SNAPSHOTS

SNAPSHOT #4

October 15, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Sometimes a moment lingers and the memory it produces is like a snapshot.

The customary labyrinth of tunnels thrum with a persistent pulse. Throngs wait, many to be transported to their destinations on a wet, not yet winter, cold night.

One after another after another, those with and without permanent dwellings, share the sectioned wooden benches to rest or sleep; some seemingly lean along a wall that does not exist. All find strategic locations for their possessions placed or stored in canvas, leather, plastic, garbage bags, shopping bags often beyond the intended capacity.

Certain postures epitomize homelessness, perhaps insanity and destitution. One need not notice.

There is a corpulent woman, seated, wearing skirts, blouses and sweaters each layer peeking out a hem or collar. She fusses with an oversized cloth saturated with red and pink hues, attempting to gather her coif. Despite the exhaling chill of the cement floor she barely interacts with the sandals lying just beyond the soles of her feet. Her toes are naked except for the display of a sun-soaked orange varnish. Each big toe has a long nail curling like a Chinese emperor’s. Her individuality shouts in defiance of being ignored.

TRAVEL TALES

THE SEASON OF CHANGE

October 14, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

The Catskills are displaying various colors. Leaves are still green, others are gold, red, and orange, and a few trees are almost bare. The shadows lengthen more quickly now.
Pumpkins are ubiquitous; hot soups are offered fare. Firewood is stacked high.

It is my last attempt, for now, to sleep beneath the stars. The campfire is no longer just a dazzling array of flames. I huddle close to keep warm.

It is autumn, the season of change.

THOUGHTS ON ONESELF

DOING WHAT IS HARD

October 13, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Most of us prefer to avoid doing those things that do not come easily or are outright difficult.
But the accomplishments we find the most meaningful, memorable, and satisfying are likely those we struggled to achieve.

week end break

STILL OUT AND ABOUT

October 12, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Photographs, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe. I would be delighted if you would sign up.

Thank you again for visiting and please contact me with any questions or comments that you may have.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the day.

week end break

OUT AND ABOUT

October 11, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Photographs, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe. I would be delighted if you would sign up.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.

VIEWPOINTS

RECONSIDERING ROBOTS

October 10, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

While leaving a shop the other day, I heard a disembodied voice saying “Your destination is on the left.” then watched a man make that turn to enter.

Many people are quite fond of their GPS’s but I had previously only heard one while riding in a car. Was it really so difficult to locate this store without the use of technology?

Sci-fi films have long shown robots playing a role in our world for better or for worse, but the robots are always machines.No matter how life-like they look on the outside, their interiors are gadgets and circuitry.

Is it possible that we all got it wrong, and the next generation of robots is us?

More and more of our decision making is being dictated by computers: how we get to our destinations, where we go to eat, what movies we see, what books and articles we read, what music we listen to, and how we are to think. Public opinion has long played a role in our lives but the smallest choices are now guided-programmed- by the social media, apps, and websites we are referring to with an unprecedented frequency.

My upbringing in this society has already molded, to a great extent, the choices I make and opinions I have, but I am not ready to give up what is left of my free will. I prefer to risk making some mistakes, taking a few wrong turns, and making some less than perfect decisions of my own.

TRAVEL TALES

SAYING HELLO THEN FAREWELL

October 9, 2014 startsolo Leave a comment

In the course of my travels I have had many meaningful encounters even if they are short-lived. The brevity of time does not lessen the quality nor the profundity of the meeting.

What begins with a simple hello evolves into an immediate rapport and feeling of trust. We may share more details of our lives, thoughts and dreams than with those we have known for years. Perhaps knowing that the time is fleeting precipitates this accord.

On a few occasions these moments have established the beginning of a lasting friendship, but usually all that remains is the memory of our walk, talk, meal, or few days of traveling together as we bid adieu and continue on our way.

START SOLO

TIME TO PONDER

TRAVELING, LESSONS LEARNED

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

SNAPSHOT #4

THE SEASON OF CHANGE

DOING WHAT IS HARD

STILL OUT AND ABOUT

OUT AND ABOUT

RECONSIDERING ROBOTS

SAYING HELLO THEN FAREWELL

Thoughts on travel