Independent Woman Homeowner

Ladies, Is Travel on Your Bucket List?

The loading zone was crowded with taxis, dust and exhaust fumes. I was alone, my shipmate who was sick, mostly tired, decided to stay on board. I was determined to get off the ship because cruises often give me claustrophobia.  I was intent on finding a taxi driver to take me on an Athens adventure. Georgia O’Keefe, my idol, once said, “I have been terrified all my life, but I never let it get in the way of doing what I wanted.”  I was terrified alone then did it anyway.

In the dust and exhaust-filled covered pickup area there were at least 10 very large hairy men in taxis’ hungry for naive tourists to part with their Euros. My trusty creep-o-meter was flashing and I was getting a little frustrated trying to find a taxi driver who would not take me like Hades did Persephone to the modern Greek underworld, a back ally, and steal my EU's. Then the dust parted and walking toward me was the most gorgeous man, a George Clooney look alike with a tan. "Miss (I love being called miss instead of ma’am."), "Miss, do you need a taxi?” Ok THAT is my ride, he had me at hello!! We negotiated a deal, four hours for 80 bucks. As I opened the back door he beckoned me to sit in the front patting the seat. “Sit up front with me.” My resistance was low so I moved into his space. Greek men are so...well so earthy-handsome. I was off on the highly anticipated adventure.

While swerving through the streets, trying to communicate in some way by using hand gestures, facial expressions and slang English phrases reality finally surfaced....What am I doing here alone in a hectic city, far from home, no one knows where I am and trusting this Adonis look-alike with my life? Well my creep-o-meter was not sounding an alarm so I just relaxed into the moment. He started telling me about his beautiful city and where we should go for the next four hours so I left my adventure itinerary all up to him. Persephone was his slave-for-the-day or was he mine?

The day turned out to be better than I imagined. Athens is beautiful; I especially liked that Athena's temple was higher than the temple of Zeus. From Athena’s temple you can see 360 degrees all the beauty of Athens city. Women seemed to hold a special place in Athens. Worshipped and adored in Greek history, the female goddesses were held in high esteem especially for their intuitive gifts. After all the Oracle of Delphi, a woman, was often entreated for advice and guidance before a great quest. She had the power to send a whole shipload of men on a wild goose chase if she wanted. That's power.

The shopping bazaar was intense; Adonis warned me before I left the haven of his taxi, "You can get lost here so be back in an hour." He pointed to 1230 on his watch.  I agreed and of course I got lost. I was intoxicated by the cacophony of Greek food and the spice smells, colorful clothing contrasted by the stark white buildings and the sounds of music and talking bombarding my senses. I finally found my way back to my taxi sanctuary at 1240. Adonis didn't chastise me for my 10-minute transgression he just asked me if I loved his city. “Yes oh yes, I love everything about your city.” I answered, leaving out the part about how I would love to take him home to show him my city…better left unsaid.

I didn't fall in love though on that taxi ride, just in lust. I couldn't because I had already fallen in love...with Venice. Yes madly in love while sailing away out of that port on a rainy day, while Andrea Bocelli sang, "Time to Say Goodbye," in the background. The day was a gray day with subdued colors except for the bright colored umbrellas carried by early morning shoppers who couldn’t wait to taste the gelato, touch the Italian leather, and gaze through the Venetian glass and to study the graceful angles of the beautiful buildings. Venice is a very feminine city like Athens, the curvy onion domed buildings, the mercurial water, and the mysteries down every alley. Small dogs on leashes, shiny rain-covered sidewalks, and old majestic statues, surrounded by miles of canals that is the Venice forever imprinted on my mind. I cried tears of appreciation and sadness as we sailed away. I vowed to come back with a lover to Venice; it is a romantic city more appreciated while holding hands and stealing kisses.

The more a person travels the more addicting it becomes. It is an experiential high unmatched by any other vice. Not even buying shoes and perfume, my more mundane addictions, come close to traveling. Traveling bombards our senses, give us insight of where we fit in the world, builds understanding and openness to other cultures and beliefs; familiarity most often eclipses prejudice. And most important travel makes us more creative. Creativity is fertilized by the richness of our travel experiences; our mind stores the nutrients of colors, smells, sounds, tastes and feelings, then rearranges them into a new meal, a new a painting, a decorated wall, a poem, a story or music. Our appreciation for the unusual expands in proportion to our expanded travel experiences. Like an addict needing another fix, I returned home only to start perusing the discounted travel deals, pondering a way to have another week off from work. I thought of all the people I saw moving here and there seeking the most common of all human endeavors…the search for meaning and new experience; that is what we all have in common with each other. As I unpacked my bags the smell of the exotic lemon spice tea bought from a Turkish herbalist reminded me to start brewing another adventure…soon.

So what if you are terrified or fearful of the unknown, this week start planning that adventure that's on your bucket list…you never know...

Linda Stasburg is the host of Interviews & Interactions on KTKK Radio.