Back to the Road Again in 2017
Since you’re reading this, you’ve indulged me in time off and returned again, for which I am grateful.
Besides being a mercurial individual whose interests change from hour to hour, I got downright busy with responsibilities in California. A more complete explanation as to my blogging disappearance is material for “the future book” because it requires a lengthy chapter.
But here I am again to report that since early December, I’ve been consumed with planning the next adventure which will last at least five months.
I’ve always been intrigued by Japan and finally, I’ll be making a visit, albeit a short one, to the country.
Following that, I’ll be visiting Thailand to focus on improving my health which is currently not optimal. Given the health care costs in the United States, I’ve chosen to look elsewhere to get diagnosis and treatment relating to my chronic thyroid issues. With consults with a good specialist and lab tests costing $1000-$2000 in the United States, it’s cheaper for me to fly to a foreign country and get comprehensive medical care. Sad, but true.
While last year was fantastic for me on the most micro-personal level, the state of the world, the xenophobia, and the negativity (and yes, feeling completely alienated from the United States that I thought I knew), has taken, and is taking an emotional toll. It’s my belief that healing the world starts with oneself. Obviously, physical health is a step-one requirement to have enough strength to be a light to others. So I’m going to be working on that. And I will continue to participate in activist activities from overseas so I feel that I’m contributing.
After Thailand, I’m destined for Europe and hope to spend more time in Croatia which I glimpsed just briefly last year. I’m particularly interested in seeing the coastal areas and perhaps observing Carnival celebrations which apparently are big in Croatia.
Following Croatia (and possibly Montenegro), I’ll be heading back to Lesbos, Greece to be with my partner for a few precious months. And in late Spring, I’ll be guiding my adventurous mother around Greece, hoping to finally share the places I love the most, including Lesbos and Crete, with her.
That’s the plan for now. It’s bound to be an exciting trip. I hope you’ll join me.
14 Comments
Leave a Comment
Search
GUIDES TO FREEDOM
I’m a little behind – OK, a lot behind – reading your blog. So I’m starting in January and hope to be all caught up soon.
Meantime, best of luck with your continuing travels.
Many thanks, Erik. Enjoy at your leisure. 🙂
I’ve struggled with Thyroid problems for years and have not been very impressed with the standard approaches to treatment. Sadly, my story is pretty common. There’s a growing body of knowledge about thyroid health coming out of the functional and alternative medicine field and it’s provided me with tools for significantly improving my health. One author/blogger that I respect is Izabella Wentz. She’s about to launch an online video series called the Thyroid Secret. Might be worth checking out at http://www.thethyroidsecret.com
Enjoy your travels!!
Thank you Caroline. I will check it out. I also have struggled for years and once did have a great functional medicine doctor who was the only one (in years of treatments) that seemed to get it. Unfortunately, good doctors are hard to find with bad insurance. Moving about a lot also makes it difficult to follow-up which is needed with the thyroid. I’m optimistic, but not overly so, that I can get some actual attention in Thailand. But also, I’m going to be trying other methods like juicing and acupuncture to take my general health back into my hands. Thanks for reading!
ah! It is so good to hear from you again about your adventures!
Yes, so disappointed in our country.
Thanks for reading. Yup, it’s a tough pill to swallow for at least 1/2 of the country.
Glad to read this! I’ll be living on the island of Inishturk, Ireland for a year starting May 1. Hope you’ll visit! I have 2 spare bedrooms! Miss you and would love the opportunity to visit-stay in touch!
That sounds amazing Diane! And what an offer! One that I probably can’t pass up! 🙂 Hope to see you later this year. Safe travels.
Welcome back Laura,
It sounds like an exciting trip and I look forward to hearing more about it as you travel. It’s shame though that you have to go out of the country for health issues. But such is life – just stupid sometimes. I wish you much success on that!
Take care of yourself. I’ll be looking forward to reading your posts. I hope you have a wonderful adventure!
Many thanks Cecelia!
We’ve missed you, Laura, but glad that you had some rereshing and good times. All the very best in seeking medical help overseas. We look forward to sharing in your travels again!
Thank you Erika! Please send John my best.
I look forward to your shares, both literary and visual. I’m hoping you manage a drawing or two along with your photos. I have another travelling friend who was making plans to return to the Croatian coast the moment she ended her first visit. The photos were stunning and her stories of locals joyously sharing their favorite foods, places and information with her sealed her love of the place.
May you be rejuvenated by the roads, the people and sharing what you love with family.
Thanks Maria as always for your supportive comments. The problem with the chalk pastels, which I use for drawing, is that they appear to X-ray machines as metal and shrapnel which makes it difficult as I usually only have a carry on bag. They are also really expensive to buy. I’ve left art supplies in two places in Greece and hopefully, when I see them again, they will call me to draw. Many thanks for following along with me.