jcwarrior50's VirtualTourist Home Page

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Mom, Dad and the fruit of my womb - Zion Alexander

Born to Travel

It seems that, even at a young age, I've loved to travel. Whether it was to the beaches of Florida and North Carolina or the rushing waters of Niagara Falls, I've loved to hop in the car and take off to a new spot. I've always loved meeting new people, finding new holes in the wall to eat at and checking out sites that I'd only heard about.

My parents never traveled extensively except for my dad - Vietnam War - and my mom - traveling from Ohio into Canada. I guess they were really walking on water when my mom ran away from home at the age of 17 to meet my dad on the island of Hawaii to be married. They met, exchanged vows, spent a number of days basking in their love (too much information for a son to handle!) and then headed their seperate ways - mom to Ohio and dad back to Vietnam. I always hoped for a reunion on the beaches of Hawaii - that way I could get a view of those white sand beaches that I've heard so much about - but, my mom went home to be with the Lord a couple of years ago and that reunion of people and places was never made. Maybe... just maybe... I can travel there in memory of mom and the love her and my dad shared. Maybe...

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Sweden - My First International Trip at age 15

Early International Travel

I was presented with a great opportunity at the age of fifteen that only stirred into flames the embers buried deep in my soul for travel. An exchange program - sponsored through my dad's company, Kellogg's - offered a scholarship every year to one of their worker's kids. I started working hard, with the help of mom, to put together a package which gave a picture of my desire to travel along with my willingness to experience culture with open eyes and a teachable spirit. This package was accepted and I won a scholarship to go to my first choice country - Sweden.

The trip was for six weeks and was designed as more of a cultural experience than a vacation. With this in mind, I boarded a plane all by myself and headed out to see what the world had to offer. I was young, dumb and had no idea what I was getting into. But, I went off to experience a time that would leave me forever changed.

I can't say it was just one thing that made this time so life changing. Sometimes, I wish I could say it was the language barrier or the philosophical differences or the food or the people or the government... but I can't. It was all of these things wrapped up tight into a large ball that was thrown right at my face and left me a heap on the ground. I wasn't prepared for what I experienced and it took so much from me. But, years later, I can look back and see that it was one of the most important times in my life. Challenging my thoughts on culture and life while mixing a concoction of adventure and excitement that would run through my veins for the rest of my life!

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"I loved each and every one of them..."

Traveling through the States

Throughout my childhood, I traveled to a number of states throughout the Midwest and South. Some of these travels took me to some of the most beautiful, peaceful places that I've ever been. Whether it was the rhythmic beaches of the National Seashore in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina or the peaceful trails of the Smokey Mountains in Tennesee, I loved each and every one of them for their own reasons. Even from a young age I was able to see the beauty in the differences, even though the ocean has ALWAYS been my favorite. Not necessarily living on a boat, but close enough to hear the waves and smell the salt in the air and experience the sensation of an ocean breeze. This was always, and continues to be, my favorite. The ocean carries with it something unique and different - a powerful, yet peaceful experience. It is its own paradigm.