The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
~ St. Augustine
When I was a little girl, I could never sleep before a trip. I'd toss and turn, surreptitiously turn on the light to quietly read and play with my toys, and was, simply, restless. When I explained this sad condition to my grandmother, she told me I was journey proud, a wonderful southern expression that you can read the full etymology of here.
One of the things I love about the English language is how past meanings of words and phrases can enrich present ones, and vice versa. Although the original meaning of "journey proud" meant the inability to eat or sleep before traveling, due to excitement or nervousness, I also interpret it as the sense of contentment while traveling, or while reminiscing of past journeys.
As I find myself newly unemployed in a harsh economy, my first instinct, as always, is to up and leave -- possibly to Europe or North Africa. But I decided to be practical (which never comes easily to me) and rethink my situation.
And thus, this blog. A documentation of past, present and, hopefully, future travel, the imaginative preparation, and the inspired aftermath through recipes, history, personal stories, and maybe even a bit of philosophy. I want to share the places that have so captivated me, and possibly, in the process, prevent myself from spending every last penny I have on a one-way plane ticket.
I love it!
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