Travellin' Man

After Dad died, Ma took my brother Colin and me, and we visited at half dozen countries in four years (1983-1987).

• Fez and Marrakesh and Casablanca, Morrocco
  
• Rome and Florence and Venice, Italy
  
• Oxford and Bath and London, England
  
• Merida and Chizten Itza and Uxmal and Cancun, Mexico
  
• Cairo and a cruise down the Nile, Egypt
  
• Paris, France
  
• Kathmandu and Pokhara, trekking in Nepal
  
• Moscow and Leningrad, still communist Russia in 1987
  
• Athens and Patmos, Greece

More than just cultural traipsing, it was real bonding for the three of us.

Mom was a kick ass traveller and planner. None of us checked any bags. We each had one suitcase, she had two black outfits, and she would wash them in her sink at night.

Before we went, she was up to her ears in articles, books - each day was a specific aspect of the culture and some

but we didn't spend all of our time in museums and on guided tours of this or that. mom really relished the opportunity to stroll ourselves through local markets. I saw a lot of lambs heads and bird cages and brass work - that's where the real powerful smells are, where the folks are.

I've tried to hold to her same standard of driven travel when I've had the chance to visit other countries. Still as I've travelled for business (mostly speaking, thanks Scandinavia), there are times, sandwiched between a plane flight and an official dinner, I'm tired and I want to sit in my hotel room and use my laptop to feel at home.

Fortunately, the internet is an jaw-droppingly effective way to meet people around the world; I've found kindred spirits and lively minds in many cities thanks to this communications tool. Many of my best moments in foreign places have come as local folks with similar interests shared anarchist cafes or delicious ice cream or folk festivals. It's an honor to see or stay in the home of a living being, and even moreso to meet their family and friends.

I've made an informal survey of toilets in two parts of the world: Scandinavia and Japan.

They say that Sagittarians love to travel. I'm a Sagittarian, and it seems to me like most folks like to travel.