Prolific Living

On the Road

The Art of Deciding Your Next Travel Destination

by

Hakone_Japan_2008
In a poor attempt to test my spontaneity yesterday, my clever husband asks me if I am up for going to Japan in 7 days. No plans, no preparation, no idea where we would stay except that this time, we must go to Hakone to climb Mount Fuji – be not impressed; it’s no Everest, everyone can climb it – and that we would have confirmed seats in business class; the fares are extremely reasonable due to significantly slower travels to Japan.

Ah Japan! One of my biggest loves, even if I rarely talk about it around here. [Read more…] about The Art of Deciding Your Next Travel Destination

You, Your Travel Fears and The Fear-Crushing Travel Guide

by

Sweet-Istanbul-Turkey

What many have said to me over the years:
“I wish I could travel like you.”
“You are so lucky to travel so much.”
“There is no way I can travel with my children.”
“Go on all your travels before you have babies.”
“Traveling is risky; it’s just not safe, not these days.”
“I love to travel, but I hate to leave home behind.”
And my least favorite:
“Oh yes, of course I am going to travel someday. You should see my dream list of countries to visit  …. someday. Someday soon!”

Traveling is so widely accessible to us human beings today that I wonder why those who dream and desire it so much are not out there doing it all the time! Some of us want to go to Europe; some dream of Africa. Some people want to travel to the far east. In fact, when I lived in Iran, taking a holiday in Cyprus was one of the most popular destinations. One day, I will need to make a trip just to Cyprus for that. Can you think of a place where you want to take a holiday and yet have not made any plans to go?

And yet real travel fears and anxieties stand in the way of even the best of our intentions, the type of fears that cripple the most steady dreams of travel in the most willing hearts and confident souls. [Read more…] about You, Your Travel Fears and The Fear-Crushing Travel Guide

Start Traveling the World Today

by

Travel Dreams Waters of Maui

How do we crush travel barriers and start traveling the world today?

We crush them slowly, one at a time, with tender care and tough love. We crush them by living what we preach, by walking our talk, and by meaning what we say. We crush them with the truth, with facts, with information, with knowledge, with education, with empowering ideas into actions and dreams into realities.

I am talking about the surmountable psychological and emotional barriers surrounding the act of traveling and subsequently the mission to crush these barriers one by one. What is it that keeps you from committing to a vacation and not postponing month after month, year after year? [Read more…] about Start Traveling the World Today

Power Tips for When Travel Plans go Awry

by

Trevi Fountains Rome Italy

Being in control was my way of asserting power over my life or at least I thought so until I realized the illusion of being in control of your life. You may control your temper, your attitude, or your eating habits but you do not control circumstances and situations at large or the poor strokes of luck that show up unannounced and unwelcome. You can, however, plan to meet them with patience, preparation and presence of mind.

Do not be caught ill prepared when things go awry during your travels.

[Read more…] about Power Tips for When Travel Plans go Awry

The Spirit of Bali wrapped in 9 Gems of Advice

by

Small sitting statues in Ubud

I looked high and low for the perfect Buddha statue to bring home from Bali; I desperately wanted to own one!

My husband made an annoying observation as usual, that I am neither a Buddhist nor a Hindu, and the statue, while “very cool”, could not carry for me the intended and true significance it does for its worshipers – which, in some irony, was the very reason I wanted one in the first place. True, I am neither a Buddhist nor a Hindu but I would have considered becoming one in a heartbeat if it meant being forever wrapped in the spirit and harmony that was the magic of Bali. I wish I could carry home with me with this island’s [Read more…] about The Spirit of Bali wrapped in 9 Gems of Advice