Who? We’re Marilyn and John, travelers who’ve had some great adventures exploring the world–and we’re eager for more. At home in Oregon, along with work, family, friends, books, music and various causes we care about, we’re either planning a trip or on our way.
Marilyn: I’m a freelance writer with a focus on travel (guidebooks, articles in print and online, a decade’s newspaper column). A staff writer for Europe Up Close, I post stories weekly about my favorite European spots.
In-depth travel, not skate-the-map tourism, is my passion. Like a lot of people, I feel the restless urge to leave the comforts of home and trot the globe seeking what’s different. Travelers these days pay hard-earned money to fret over packing, rise in the dark for 6 a.m. flights, and suffer airport indignities in order to go where we don’t understand the language and often can’t drink the water. Yet a great many of us jump at the chance to do it as often as possible.
I started as a young exchange student, oh so many years ago, intrigued by foreign lands. The wish to immerse myself in other cultures, customs, and landscapes, and to share my discoveries, remains as strong as ever.
John: I’m a personal injury lawyer, musician, gardener, and traveler. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I loved maps and the distant adventures they promised. I still pore over maps, and that’s proven helpful whether driving around Bali, France, or the American Southwest.
For 30-plus years, Marilyn and I have traveled together. We’ve been all over the U.S. west coast for her guidebooks, and in Mexico, Europe, and Asia for fun, cultural history, and the irresistible appeal of the exotic. We’ve had the good fortune to see some of the world’s great beauty and to learn firsthand how people are so much the same inside. Along the way, we’ve discovered even more about ourselves and how to keep love alive on the road together. It’s fun, challenging, and always rewarding.
Why? Why lighthearted? Because we believe in traveling with a positive attitude. We choose to nurture our hopes, not our fears, and allow ourselves to trust despite the huge amount of suspicion and anxiety in the world today.
In all our travels, almost everyone we’ve met has been courteous, kind, honest, and eager to help when we needed it. That’s not to say there’s never been a problem. We’ve been scammed a few times, and we pay attention (eg. use the hotel room safe for valuables and avoid dark, deserted streets). But we don’t let that affect our approach. We learn at least a few customs and phrases, talk to strangers at every opportunity, and don’t assume people are trying to rip us off. The result: friends around the world, a sense of optimism, and the fun of expecting something new and marvelous around the next corner, waiting to be explored. That’s lighthearted travel.
Wonderful Blog and I love the lighthearted part.
¡felicidades!
Light hearted travel!! Bravo!! Does that include crouching in a field and peeing together in India??
Thanks for the fun memory! — we hope to get back to India sometime soon.
EXCELLENT SITE. THESE PEOPLE ARE REAL AND DISCERNING. I TRUST THEIR JUDGEMENTS PLUS THEY ARE NICE PEOPLE——PAUL THE GIANT FAN
Thank you for the kind words, Dr. B!
Lighthearted is a perfect word for these writings… I love each and every post. Not necessarily exotic foreign places, but destinations that are accessible and closer to home! Thank you.
Thanks, Barbara! That is a wonderful compliment. I’m glad you enjoy our meanderings. Some time soon we’ll have a post on Kauai, and we all know how special that island is. 🙂
Megan, thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like to blog. I’ll be happy to try to answer whatever questions you have. Happy travels to you.
I am adding you to my blog list. My husband are retire Oregon educators and love the type of travel you describe. We don’t skate through…we sit down and watch, listen and enjoy. I was hoping we could connect on Thursday at Mc Mennimans but family had different plans…sigh.
Be well and maybe we will see each other another day.
b
http://www.retireinstyleblog.com
Thank you. Sorry you retirees can’t join us at the Thursday Writers Meet-Up–maybe next time. Happy travels!
The two of you are inspiring! I hope to continue traveling as long as I can, and I hope to have someone to do that with. If you haven’t been to the Philippines, please come visit. 🙂 Best of luck to both of you, and happy travels!
Thank you for that nice compliment. We continue to explore, and hope to visit the Philippines some day. I have heard that the people there are some of the kindest, nicest folks in the world. Happy travels to you on your life’s journey.
hello-fine writing once again. thank you.
reading never felt so good.
Paolo di Denver