It is Destiny

Well, the answer is definitely some combination of the top 3. My parents went on a similar adventure back in the early '80's and so I grew up on Indian food and loads of re-told stories of their great experiences around the world. Years later, my sister and her husband embarked on their travels, and before the pandemic several of our nearest and dearest friends did the same. Therefore, for me, taking an extended time away to travel has always felt more like d) destiny than anything else. So important has it been to me, my husband, Shadie, had to agree to it as a condition of marriage.2.3

Here we are. I am now 35. I just got a new job. I have a house, a dog, and slightly dubious husband. The COVID pandemic is still not over. And an economic recession may be around the corner. I recognize it's not exactly the perfect conditions to take unpaid leave and pick up to travel the world, but like many other big decisions in life, from having a baby to changing careers, there is no perfect time to uproot and voyage. And after nearly two years of travel moratorium, and some mental doldrums, we felt it was time to take that break for adventure!

In this blog, we hope to share stories of our great experiences with you, dear readers. Indian food, is, unfortunately, BYO.

Footnotes:

1. Please forgive this blatant rip-off from the Slumdog Millionaire film trailer. It's one of my favorite movies.

2. Side note: Shadie is also a big fan of travel and actually much more well traveled than I am. But he's been much more reluctant to accept the opportunity cost of a pause away from work mid-career.

3. Yes, I am including footnotes in this blog. It's so rare to do so, that apparently, this website doesn't have a superscript text option. But I love footnotes, as I have so much to say. And they shall be.

Dana and Shadie are one week away from heading off to Asia on a five month grand adventure. How did they just up and leave to travel?

a) Privilege.

b) Understanding Employers.

c) Supportive Family.

d) It is destiny.1

A photo of my mom, Peggy, on their world trip. Thanks to Della for digitizing so many of these old photos!