One of the things that I love about this time of year is getting a new calendar. There are generally only two types that I get: ones depicting lush gardens or ones with pictures of tropical islands. I dream of growing lush gardens and of visiting those tropical isles.
At the end of December, I found a calendar (25% off) in the bookstore at the university where I work. It was of tropical islands and had a picture of one of my most favorite islands in the world — Bora Bora. (You know, its ranking might change once I visit more islands . . . like Bali . . . )
I love gazing at those pictures while at work — especially in the deep of winter when the temperature is below zero and ice and snow abound. Those pictures give me hope that the weather WILL warm up. Eventually.
A map came with the calendar. I was thrilled. For quite some time, I have had the intention of putting a map on the wall and placing pins in all of the places that we have visited. I think getting this calendar will provide the final push to do that.
Both the calendar and the map was published by the National Geographic which means (of course) that they are of high quality.
While growing up, I was never interested in maps — neither high nor low quality maps. I wasn’t interested in geography. I was bored to tears when I tried to read the National Geographic. (My apologies to the National Geographic. My fault — not yours.)
All that has changed now that I am grown up and mature — and now that I’m traveling. Because there are so many places in the world that I want to visit, I enjoy finding the country on the map. Maps and geography have much more meaning to me now.
I’ve created a bucket list of places that I want to visit: Bali, Morocco, Greece. the Mediterranean, Sicily, Iguassu Falls in Argentina, England, France, India, Thailand, and Egypt to name a few. Later this year, we will go to New Zealand and Australia. I can’t wait.
So many places and so little time.
If you ever happen to be in the neighborhood, feel free to drop in for a visit and see my map on the wall with all of the pins. That is if you can catch me when I’m home . . .