Finding My Voice

November 9th, 2016

I want to scrrreeeeeammmm

I want to shout 

I want to yell

there is too much noise

...YET...

I can NOT find my voice

So much I want to say  

who will listen to my blues, my story, my essence, my drive

searching for my voice

Seemingly a lifetime

STIFLED, MUFFLED
silent

where is my voice

To make a point

to carry on

to LIVE my life

Perhaps, for now,

I will use the words of others

to try and
Find My Voice...

"Our days begin to end 

the day we become silent about the things that matter." 

~ Martin Luther King

BIG Enough...for ME!

Though Gene's summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa was over a year ago he still talks almost daily of his adventure. It was such a positive experience with so many lessons learned.

As always his excitement rubs off on me. He has repeatedly told me that I could do it and has asked me to join him next time. Besides my suspicion that he is motivated by me helping him stay warm in the tent at night, I have a big problem...

I Don't Wanna!

It's not that I question whether I can or am willing to put in the time to train, the thought of it just doesn't give me that rush. You know when that thought of something goes off in your head and creates a wave of excited anticipation? Whenever I feel that way I don't let anything stand in my way...

...BUT...

I still want to get a taste of being on that majestic mountain - the tallest free standing mountain in the world. To be in hiker's heaven with just enough challenge...for ME. So I have a plan and one that I hope some of you will join in on.

"A Taste of Kilimanjaro"  

 a 7 day itinerary with 4 days of hiking -- sounds pretty perfect to me!

Some of you won't get it...I already have had people tell me to just pick another mountain that isn't as high. For me it's not about getting to the top of anything. It's just about doing something that is right for me, right now...

Sometimes you don't have to go to the very top 

to do something really big.

Consider this your invitation:

Come Hike With Me!!!

This Is Sara

Have you ever met someone that in an instant you immediately clicked with? That is what it was like when I first met Sara in Italy...

The favorite part of my job is meeting people from EVERYWHERE! A friendship is formed --sometimes just for that moment and other times...FOREVER.

Sara is one of those forever friends and also happens to be our intriguing Italian guide for our upcoming trip on the Amalfi Coast.

Yet it is not only I that finds Sara exceptional. In the words of some of our guests...

THIS IS SARA: 

"...charming, smart, knowledgeable, friendly, beautiful eyes, storyteller, informed, thoughtful, beautiful, savvy, competent, fun, good sense of humor, a really fabulous guide with a high level of expertise on all things Italian."

"An absolute delight...keenly attuned to her client's capabilities and a treasure trove of little stories to make the walks we take with her so much more interesting, She's always cheerful and enthusiastic."

"It is difficult to limit it to one word but I would pick SPECIAL. Of course I could also say awesome, fantastic, amazing, friend, and more."

Meet Sara for yourself...

Come Walk Italy With Us!

The Wishing Tree

In a land far, far away there is a tree...
a very special tree.

Some might pass it by thinking it is another ordinary fig tree, even though it has a commanding presence overlooking the renowned Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania fame.  But for the Ilkisongo Clan of the Maasai, this special tree has historically held spiritual significance. 

In reverence it is called "Oreteti."  

Oreteti is considered akin to a god and through time has been a place where older women have gone to pray and to make a wish for healing, for ending a drought or other adversity. To cement their wish they would leave a metal or beaded bracelet among the branches. Over the years their bangles have slowly become part of the tree, almost as if Oreteti is absorbing the misfortune to take any pain away.

As tradition continues all those who pass, 

take a small handful of grass and place it at the base 

and sit quietly for a moment as a sign of respect.

You too can honor tradition in Tanzania, far away from the flurry of tourists. Amidst the stillness of Africa take the opportunity to walk to the shade of Oreteti. For a moment in time perched high on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim reflect on your good fortune of being where you are and make a wish...

Come Walk With Me!

* Thank you to Nomad Tanzania for providing the information for this story

CLIMB!!!

I set out to climb "BIG" hill...

In the greater scheme of things "BIG" hill isn't really very big,  

just bigger than little hill.

Lately I had taken "BIG" hill for granted. 

Though I could see it everyday from my office window, 

I turned away and ignored it.

Half way up I was out of breath and feeling...uncomfortable? I didn't like it -- I didn't like it at all. What had happened? "BIG" hill use to be easy and now it felt hard. I continued on, beating myself up with should haves, would haves and could haves. Not enough of this and too much of that. Making matters worse, I was weighing myself down with negativity.

Press Pause

What was I thinking? I had a fleeting recollection of everyone that I had ever encountered that had given up all together because it didn't feel good -- muscles ache, knees hurt, feet swell. Understood BUT it feels even worse when you quit.

I wrapped my head around a new thought, a word, a simple idea - CLIMB. By the end of the year I want "BIG" hill to feel easy - CLIMB. Every time something seems hard, I will think - CLIMB. When I don't feel like going for a walk - CLIMB. No time - CLIMB. Too hot, too tired, too late --- CLIMB, CLIMB, CLIMB.

My Mantra -- CLIMB!!!

Now I'm thinking I am going to CLIMB something even bigger than big...

and you're invited!

Come Walk With Me Here >>

Homesick

Over the years Gene and I have explored different areas of Africa in a variety of ways. Through our extensive experience we have a select list of what makes a safari exceptional... 

Our last trip to Tanzania checked everything off that list. 

Especially the service -- so warm and friendly we felt like we were home. 

As time has past we are longing for that place that lulls us to sleep at night

then wakes us gently in the morning...

Home is not a place...it's a feeling.

A place where high emotions and excitement fill the day all wrapped up in a sense of happiness. Then as the sun goes down, reflecting by the warmth of the cozy fire you take comfort in just...being.

With only room for 10 guests, 

our stay will be at small intimate private camps and lodges, 

where we will be specially welcomed by our Tanzanian friends - 

Paulo, Ian. Good Luck, Anofi and Jairo.

Would you like to be one of 10? 

Our PrivateTanzania Safari >>

You Say Tomato...

...but in Italy it is the pomodoro

Which makes me think of pizza. Some people eat pizza once a week a month or maybe a day? I LOVE pizza. I also really miss pizza. Sorry Arizona, but since residing here we haven't found one that quite lives up to my New York memories of getting a slice around the corner at Sal's. And yes I have had pizza for breakfast.

On our last trip to Italy, our exuberant guide Sara wisely expressed that to get the very best pizza make sure that it is made by a Neapolitan PIZZAIOLO (the pizza maker).

Which brings me back to the tomato where it all started... 

In the early 1500's, tomatoes were introduced from the New World to Europe. This strange fruit (or vegetable according to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1893) was met with disdain and rumored to be poisonous.

In Naples, the poor only had olive oil, flour cheese, herbs and lard to sustain their hunger. Perhaps out of this hunger they were driven with bravery to take the demonized pomodoro and create the first tomato sauce pizza. It didn't take long for it to become a hit.

                   

So popular that when the King and Queen of Italy were vacationing in Naples they requested a pizzaiola to come at once. Not only was the Margherita pizza born (named after the Queen herself) but perhaps even the first pizza delivery? 

So whether you say "toe-may-toe" or "toe-mah-toe" 

when in Naples...

we'll say pomodoro and taste test ourselves

and by the way-- we invite you to join us! 

September 24 - October 1, 2016

details >>

Come Walk With Us!

My Mantra

Is It Over Yet?
It IS February after all... 

For weeks I have felt bombarded with advice on what to do, how to do it, when to start, where to go and why I should. The suggestions came from doctors, lawyers, experts, trainers, designers, counselors, bloggers, professionals and not so professional "whatevers."

These recommendations were going to make me 

thinner, healthier, smarter, richer and of course happier!

It was simple...
all I had to do was make a new year's resolution.
I resisted. 

Actually I've resisted for many years. Resolutions are great...just not great for me. An optimistic gesture for sure, but with an 80% fail rate I AM NOT ALONE.

This year I decided to have a mantra. A word or phrase that would embrace a new mindset. Something that could carry over to a variety of aspects in my life in a positive way. Something to inspire and motivate -- not deflate.

I went for a walk and evaluated my year behind and
contemplated the days ahead...

That's It... 

Climb!

Check back soon and I will tell you why in a future post!

Dear Excuses -- guest post by Carol Skolnick

Dear Excuses,

I'm breaking up with you.

Sure, it was nice to have some perceived security, and I know you meant well, but I need something more. Frankly, I'm bored with you and life is too short.

You're very popular and attractive, so I'm sure you'll find lots of other (temporary) partners. But while I may be tempted to get back together with you in the future, and we might have a fling now and then, I'm onto you and you are not moving back in.

Call me kinky, but I'm trading you in for three better matches: Yes, No, and Not Yet. I admire them for their honesty.

So, goodbye for now. It's been real. Well, actually, it hasn't.

Thanks for trying to protect me.

All the best,

C

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Carol now resides in Santa Cruz, CA. We became Facebook friends after she participated in a World Wide Walk several years ago. Carol is an avid walker and regularly shares beautiful images of what she experiences along the way....

Thanks for sharing a piece of your world Carol!