tampa_shawn's VirtualTourist Home Page

I've been to ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS and continue to travel whenever possible - so there have been and will continue to be LOTS OF ADVENTURES AND TONS OF STORIES.....

For a list of where I've been and to visit my websites on various countries/cities/continents visit "My travel sites"; which is located underneath the world map (top right) or by using the following link:
Shawn's Travel Map

My favorite pages are: Vietnam, Antarctica, Bosnia, India and Peru.

If you're interested in my photographs and travel stories...not travel advice start with the Travelogues located at the bottom of each country/city page. Also check out the "culture" section of each country.

+++ I took two international trips in 2008...to Mexico and Venezuela+++ in 2009 I'll be heading to Columbia and ??/

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; its a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living - Miriam Beard

Quote from "Gringo. A coming-of-age in Latin America" that describes my travel style and how I feel about travelin'....as well as bringing back so many wonderful memories for me:

"somewhere along the dust-chocked Guatemalan road between Santa Elena and Bethel was where I confirmed that I preferred traveling around the slow, bone-rattling way:by bus,with ordinary people. The bus we were riding in had been repainted in bright reds and blues. The inside was colorful too: the seats had springs popping out of the upholstery, and the floor was caked with dirt and garbage. Chickens, some tied in bunches and others wandering loose, squawked noisily. Bouncing along a road to a place I had never been, and would never go back to, suddenly felt exciting, liberating even"

A warning note – I write most of my reviews quickly-on the fly and normally from the road, without the benefit of a spell checker. One day I hope to go back and review my pages – fixing many of the spelling and grammar errors. Until then – enjoy the errors at my ectpence!

Ha (just kidding) – expense!

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NOTE: Click on any of the pictures to enlarge

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I love the great outdoors and am outside whenever possible

I’ve tried most of the Adventure Sports…hand gliding, sky diving, white water rafting, scuba diving, spelunking, rock climbing and firewalking...to name a few

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing - Helen Keller

Here I am taking ultralight lessons.

I recently did another "fire walk", a weekend-long "rope course" retreat, and went tree climbing (using ropes).

For pictures of my 2006 fire walk check out my Tampa page - Yep I actually walked on burning hot coals. I also walked on glass and broke boards using my hands. What a wonderful experience! I'll get my 2008 and 2009 fire walk pictures posted one of these days...

“If you asked me what I came into the world to do, I'd tell you I came to live out loud.” - Emile Zola

Family and Friends are of utmost importance!

What is life if you cannot share it with the ones you love? And I have a lot to be thankful for!

SEE BELOW FOR THE LATEST AND GREATEST FAMILY PHOTOS AND FIND OUT HOW EVERYONE IS DOING _ JUST UPDATED

or click on this link
Latest on the family

My Family is pictured here
Right to left - Erin, Natan, Bill (dad), Shawn (me), Scott
Front - Biscuit (dog) and Mary (mom)

Community Service is the best work of life

I also believe that everyone has an obligation to our community and therefore I do charity work on a weekly basis.

I do everything from mucking out stalls at the zoo, mentoring/working with children/teenagers, ushering at the performing arts center and tending bar at charity events. Lately most of my "charity" time has been in meetings - board of directors and committee meetings for several community organizations. Not as much fun for me but...

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi

Volunteers are seldom paid;
not because they are worthless,
but because they are PRICELESS.
~Author Unknown

Food is another passion of mine...especially ethnic foods, sushi and chocolate.

When you're in Tampa visiting the World Renowned Bern’s Steak House is a must.

My sister Erin and I are pictured here in Bern’s Desert Room.

I live in sunny Florida so I am outside enjoying nature whenever possible

This picture was taken of me in playing with the Bobcats at a Wild Cat Sanctuary in Tampa called "Wild Life on Easy Street" a.k.a "The Big Cat Rescue." They no longer allow their volunteers in the cages with the wild cats - but I couldn't bear to part with the photo. How many people have pictures of them petting a bobcat?

I'm a real mess in this pictures since I had spent most of the day working as a volunteer digging holes and tearing down old cat cages (in August no less!).

You can visit Wild Life on Easy Street too, go to their website for more information …http://www.wildlifeeasyst.com/

The Tampa / Sarasota/ St Pete / Orlando area has a lot to offer! Every year I buy season passes to a different amusement park (or two) every year. That way I can really take time to enjoy myself.

Current season passes:
+ Mote Aquarium in Sarasota
+ Museum of Fine Arts in St Pete

Many parks, including Sea World, Bush Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, offer special back stage packages (for a fee) that allow one on one time with the animals. Call ahead if you are interested.

Tampa has quite a few events that are worth mentioning…

First and foremost Tampa has the largest Performing Arts Center south of the Kennedy in Washington DC...so concerts, plays, the opera and ballet are wonderful here

We also have some spectacular events...including:

Gasperalla, a Marti Gras type of an event - where the town is invaded by pirates and "saved" by the Rough Riders

Guavaween, our over the top Halloween Celebration in our historic district Ybor City

Over the years, getting to know and understand other people and cultures has become a real passion of mine. So much so that I’ve decided to get my doctorate in International Business so I can combine my business background, my charitable work and my passion for travel into a new career.

After 4 years of graduate school....I am thrilled to announce that I've completed my coursework, passed the comprehensive exams and am now working on my dissertation!

My interests resolve around issues in the developing world and emerging market countries. Specifically promoting growth and development (foreign direct investment, marketing, strategic planning...), corporate social responsibility, eliminating poverty as well as issues regarding women and children.

and...in order to pay tuition and support my travel addiction I am still a full-time career woman! Which is why I have been playing less...

“ Not everything that counts can be counted.
And not everything that can be counted, counts.”
- Albert Einstein