I love going to a new airport, seeing all the sights, smelling all the food and the coffee (yum!), watching people move about, wondering where they are going, etc.. A few years ago I was flying to Salt Lake City, Utah and along the way I had layovers in Houston, Tx., and Phoenix, Az. While I had some down time, I had a few moments to walk around, window shopping, whatever, to take in all the sights. Now, since I live in a small town rural area of Alabama(yeah, I know what you're probably thinking, "Isn't most of Alabama rural?" lol), seeing parts of the country I've only seen in magazines and on television, I was like a visitor to a different planet, or even a country.
Of course, when I did speak to people, they automatically knew what part of the country I was from and began to converse with me just to hear my accent! Needless to say before I knew it, a perfect stranger just a few minutes earlier was soon becoming a acquaintance. Amazing how the things we take for granted are used as tools for breaking down barriers that normally keep people from getting to know one another.
When I finally landed in Salt Lake City, for the first time in a long time, I actually lost my breath. The landscape there is absolutely breathtaking!!! The snowcapped mountains, the skyscrapers that peppered the area, it was all just overwhelming. Of course, in the back of my mind, I remembered that I was coming into an city that is totally opposite of what I've grown-up in and used to seeing.
Sure, I've been to Atlanta several times, but after awhile it always seemed like the same thing, over and over. Salt Lake City was nothing like I've ever seen and although I was there on personal business, I was already planning on returning there someday, possibly with my son, to show him that there is life outside the borders of Alabama. Sadly, my stay there was short, but it left such a impression that it makes me want to travel throughout the west, to connect with other people who like meeting other people and would like to meet someone from Alabama! :) Besides, I think that most people sterotype people who live in the South based upon stories they have read or seen, or even through comedians. And I believe that one should take the time to get to know people before you can judge them (and really, we shouldn't judge, should we?)
I keep a travel wish list of places that I would love to go to, places that are magical in literature, and vital in history. Places such as the United Kingdom (especially Ireland!), Austria, Germany, Italy, heck, the entire continent of Europe, then I'd like to hop on over to Russia and Siberia (just so I could see one of the most magnificant creatures on the face of the earth....the tiger!!)
Thankfully there is at least PBS, where I can watch a few of the travel shows that actually go to these places and discover what makes them so vibrant and exciting! And oh the food!! Some of the food they show literally makes my mouth water!
So, if anyone who reads this has been to some of the places I've mentioned or would like to know more about where I live, I would really like to hear from you. Call it electronic pen pals, if you would .
Until we meet again, I am, and always will be,
Amanda
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