Jun 10, 2023·edited Jun 10, 2023Liked by John Hawkins
Excellent counsel, John. One of the most anxiety producing things I've ever done, which will reveal how sheltered my life is, was traveling alone to Africa, Zanzibar to be precise, from the middle of the USA. To afford the cost of getting there, I booked flights with multiple connections. On the very first leg, I missed my connection and had to rebook the entire complicated itinerary. With that unpromising start, I wondered what else might lay in store for this newbie world traveler. Arriving at my destination to my dismay I discovered my luggage did not. Uh oh. Another hitch in the giddy-up. To add mystery to the equation the purpose of my trip was to meet someone for the first time in person. What if's of infinite variety invaded my imagination, especially after the prior inauspicious events. As it turned out, the person I was there to meet was exactly as I had expected, not imagined, the people I encountered in the airports and planes and the natives in the city of Zanzibar were all lovely, my lost luggage arrived, and all's well that ended well on my return home.
Prior to that excursion my solo travel was confined within the USA, often direct flights. The best part of that trip was the confidence it gave me, having conquered my fear of the unknown, even in that small way, and learning that in all likelihood I have the ability to do almost anything given the impetus of need or desire. While it hasn't turned me into a world traveler par excellence I know that the next "call of the wild" ha ha will not be dismissed out of hand as more than I could possibly handle.
From today's Epoch Times Words of Wisdom:
"One of the greatest discoveries a person makes is to find they can do what they were afraid they couldn't do.” HENRY FORD
Excellent counsel, John. One of the most anxiety producing things I've ever done, which will reveal how sheltered my life is, was traveling alone to Africa, Zanzibar to be precise, from the middle of the USA. To afford the cost of getting there, I booked flights with multiple connections. On the very first leg, I missed my connection and had to rebook the entire complicated itinerary. With that unpromising start, I wondered what else might lay in store for this newbie world traveler. Arriving at my destination to my dismay I discovered my luggage did not. Uh oh. Another hitch in the giddy-up. To add mystery to the equation the purpose of my trip was to meet someone for the first time in person. What if's of infinite variety invaded my imagination, especially after the prior inauspicious events. As it turned out, the person I was there to meet was exactly as I had expected, not imagined, the people I encountered in the airports and planes and the natives in the city of Zanzibar were all lovely, my lost luggage arrived, and all's well that ended well on my return home.
Prior to that excursion my solo travel was confined within the USA, often direct flights. The best part of that trip was the confidence it gave me, having conquered my fear of the unknown, even in that small way, and learning that in all likelihood I have the ability to do almost anything given the impetus of need or desire. While it hasn't turned me into a world traveler par excellence I know that the next "call of the wild" ha ha will not be dismissed out of hand as more than I could possibly handle.
From today's Epoch Times Words of Wisdom:
"One of the greatest discoveries a person makes is to find they can do what they were afraid they couldn't do.” HENRY FORD