It's OFFICIAL!!

I have always been a traveler at heart. I remember when I used to just jump on the road on a weekend and pick a direction to drive in and just drive until I find myself surrounded by things I have never seen before.

I would always keep an overnight bag in the car for those weekends that I felt spontaneous and left on a whim.

Car rides have always been my favorite. Especially in good company. You have all the time in the world to stop and take in the scenery and history in a town or city. I have travelled to 28 US states thus far.

As I got older, I wanted to broaden my horizons and travel to places that needed a boat or plane to get there. 

The problem was I never really wanted to go by myself. Something always nagged at me about traveling out of the country on my own. 

Of course like most people I tried to do group trips and go on well planned trips but at the last minute all the people I knew would cancel for one reason or another. It wasn't until a few years ago I decided that I don't need people to travel with me.  Nervously I boarded a plane to Negril, Jamaica fearing that I would not have a good time b/c I would be alone.

To my surprise I met some really wonderful people that I am still friends with today. I had an amazing time! I ate great food, danced to great music, strolled the beach, and got lost in the city, and I don't regret it one bit. 

I did let my travels lull for a few years, feeling that dread about traveling alone again but today.... Today I have renewed my faith in my ability to be alone and I booked a flight to Africa!

I have been wanting to go there and photograph the wildlife for some time and now I am officially going on a wildlife safari

That moment that I booked my flight left me so exhilarated that I can't think of any reason why I allowed 6 years to pass before traveling abroad again.

If I continue to wait on others to help me reach my goals and push me to do the things that are in my heart, I will never get there. 

Life is too short to allow yourself to have regrets. 

Today I am basking in the joy that I will be in Africa soon with new stories to tell. I even have time to explore Paris, France during a layover.