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What I like about travel:

Getting a sense of time & place when visiting places that have been standing for much longer than you have.
Locals who spontaneously start to explain the right way to eat a 17-day old egg; how to spot bad workmanship from the vendor across the street; and explaining that their brother seriously has the best selection of carpets at the most amazing prices.
Finding that 'special little restaurant' with good food, a nice location, and walking out without feeling ripped off on the price
Drinking beer in the sun after traipsing all over a new city
Remembering the way to the convenience store/cafe closest to your hotel on the second day of your stay
The first shower after a long flight
Watching B-movies in a foreign language when you've got jet lag and canýt sleep
Getting an emergency exit aisle seat

Not-so-nice:

Finding out the hotel has never heard your name, and don't know where you got that confirmation number.
Getting stuck in a line behind a tour group all wearing the same colour caps
Not finding a shop selling band-aids when my feet are all busted from walking too much
Getting lost and always ending up in a seedy neighborhood without metro stops or taxis.
Passport control, especially when entering the US

Recurring thoughts:

Will someone who knows me ever spot me in another person's travel pictures or video?
When in a city and bumping into someone you haven't seen for ages, how many other people that you know have you 'just missed seeing' or 'walked past while looking at your map' while travelling?

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
Miriam Beard

Intro Updated Aug 12, 2005
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Comments (47)

kenHuocj Feb 18, 2012 at 3:49 AM Report Abuse

sterkte en Voorspoed - nog a kliipes en koke vir die verjaarsdag seun ;-)))
nog 'n jaarverjaarsdag en buite ons land van geboorte !
jo104 Feb 20, 2010 at 1:38 PM Report Abuse

just saw invictus at the cinema & it brought back so many memories I watched it in the castle brought tears to my eyes. Happy birthday btw
ronaldpk Feb 20, 2010 at 1:27 PM Report Abuse

Veels geluk met jou verjaarsdag!
newyorkerman Feb 20, 2009 at 11:15 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday, wherever you are! hope you are having great travels.
Etoile2B Feb 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday from sunny California!
0308PODA Feb 20, 2008 at 3:47 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday from Down under!
anpe Feb 20, 2008 at 3:28 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday!!! may all your dreams come true! smiles from Greece anna
GracesTrips Feb 19, 2008 at 11:22 PM Report Abuse

Hapy Birthday! Hope you have a great day!
Marie-France Feb 20, 2007 at 4:29 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Pieter! I hope winter hasn't been too cold for you. Sending you warm thoughts. :-)
deecat Feb 20, 2007 at 2:48 PM Report Abuse

A most wonderful birthday is wished for you from Chicago.