Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- T

Many things make me smile but the today's letter super-duper-with-sugar-and-the-kitchen-sink-on-top makes me smile. And big time. It is...

 

TRAVELING

 

I love being immersed in new cultures and seeing different places, especially if it requires taking a plane. Turbulence is a must at least a couple times while I'm in the air. Oh, just thinking about dropping in altitude makes me giggle. Yet, oddly enough, I don't like roller coasters so much. Go figure.

 

I've been all over the world and still have many a place to go! Before I kick the can (ugh, morbid, sorry), I plan on visiting every continent, even Antarctica. Yup, I'll play a game of tag with some penguins (I'll win, obviously) and most certainly wear bundles and bundles of warm clothing. Brrrr

 

Here's a list of places I've traveled to so far: Canada, U.S. (30 states), England (lived there), Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, South Korea, China, and Taiwan (lived there).

 

My favorite place I have been to is the Cinque Terre in Italy. Sigh!

 

Do you like traveling? Where have you been to? Where's your favorite place to vacation? Starting with the letter T, what makes you smile?

 

Writing Jewels

PS: Sorry I didn't check out many blogs yesterday, especially those people that commented on my "Sleeping In" post. My laptops power charger kicked the can (this is twice in all of a month). I had to purchase a new one. The person that let me borrow hers couldn't get it to me until later on last night; therefore, blogging wasn't able to happen. Plus, I was feeling a bit sick yesterday. So, long story short, sorry dearest followers. I hope I can do better today. :)

 

PPS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

 

 

Giggle for the Day

This is something I hope you'll get a kick out of:

Go to Google Maps

Click on Get Directions

Search directions from Japan to China

Now for the punch line - Look at direction point #43.

Tehehe! Hope that got you giggling!

Traveling - Oh the Joy!

Just a little tidbit about Julia King: I LOVE to travel. As you very well know, “Felicite Comes” came into existence because of a little, well BIG, trip that I took to Paris. It was the catalyst that made my brain’s inspiration muscles start running. Anyway, a huge part of my life has been traveling. It all started on a dark and rainy night… Just kidding! No seriously, as a small child, my dad and mom would take us on road trips throughout the western states. We would also venture in nature to hike. These trips or hikes helped me to see the value in exploring the world. I also have this silly idea that places in the world do not exist until I see them. 
You know what? Seeing the world in all its glory is priceless!
I think of the various oceans I have seen, the sweet smell of incense burning as I walked through Buddhist temples, the sounds of the big cities that have rushed in my ears, the taste of the food as I savor it, and the feel of the wind embrace my face. All of these feelings will forever be etched in my mind because I partook of the various beauties that the earth has to offer.
Traveling is rewarding on so many different levels. One of the rewards is to be able to gloat about your trips. This is ever so humble of me!  I can say that I have trekked the Great Wall of China and peered at the tremendous amount of water cascading over Niagara Falls. I have seen Jennifer Lopez in Rome, Italy (yes, it is true). I can say that I have eaten pig kidney in Taiwan. I can say that I have hiked the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera? I can even say that I have done some of my international traveling ALONE! I can hear the “ewws” and “ahhs” in my head. All bow down to my glory! Just kidding!
But no really and seriously, traveling is one of the ways in which we can open our minds to other people, other cultures, and other ways of life. A lot less troubles would occur if people had the opportunity to experience different ways of life and seeing the new culture through the eyes of the natives.
Traveling is also liberating. You learn a lot about yourself in the process. I have learned through traveling that I can do something bigger than myself. I can get myself from point A to point B and back again in an unfamiliar place. I can be precautious. I can use different currency. I can survive in a country where I do not speak the language. Through traveling, I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to!
What are your favorite traveling moments? I would love to hear about them. Just perhaps, I will want to go there because you have inspired me by your stories!