My reason? I don't want another "to do" list in my life! (Or maybe I'm afraid I'll discover more places I'll want to visit. I already have too many!)
It reminds me of a young man who asked me to take his picture in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. He was traveling around the world and he wanted a picture of himself in front of every landmark.
Was it to remind himself of what he had seen? Or to "prove" he had been there? I wondered, as he hurried off to be photographed in front of his next predetermined location.
He had been there, but what had he seen?
My goal - when I was younger - was to travel the world, live in various places for a year or so, to absorb the sights and sounds and to try to understand the culture of the people. Then I hoped to write a novel or two set in each location.
Part of that dream did come true. I have lived and lingered in four cities: Jerusalem (for 10 years), Montreal (for 3 years), Toronto (for almost a year), and Ottawa (for more than 30)... The novels never happened, though I have learned a lot about people along the way!
I still love to travel. And my desire to linger hasn't disappeared either!
So today I'll linger over my coffee...
...enjoying the sights and sounds around me...
...in the place I find myself today.
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