"My Travels... A Few Notes of Explanation" Personal Page by NC_Ziggy

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Someone Please Tell Me Where I Was! Help!!!

I have to be totally honest with you, which is the only way to be... My travels span some thirty years or more and are not supported by as many pictures as I would like. Many of my photographs were made into "slides" suitable for projection rather than into prints, but who knew there would be such a medium as the internet or scanners or digital cameras then? And who could imagine there could ever be such a place as VT where people from all corners of the earth come together to share knowledge and information about their homes, lives, and so many places that existed totally beyond my imagination? I have said before that the very best thing about the internet is that it has made OUR world a much smaller place and my hope is that it will also promote greater understanding and eventual peace... We can only hope and dream of such a day!

Ok... As you may have understood by now, if you have stayed long enough to read this... I am longer if not stronger in word than in pictures, but I hope that does not discourage you from "visiting" with me as I very much enjoy the diversity of lives, travels, pictures, poetry, and words of wisdom shared by so many here! It is both the strength and intrigue that is VT but it would be nothing without the contributions and personalities of ALL of YOU! And, if I can say this... I am VERY PROUD of what has been created here... because of YOU!

So, thanks for your time... I may not contribute in such a specific way as many do in terms of directions, streets, and places to go, but I hope to try to convey some greater feeling and impressions of the places I have visited and hope that is of some value. If I had known that VT would be created, surely I would have made better notes! :-)

So, come along with me on this ride that will include personal insights, some pictures, some memories, and some hope for future travel and meeting many of you! Let's Go!

From Stockholm to...

A Place to Love... and Discover Love!

From the deep, blue waters of Stockholm and Scandinavia, my last real travel experience, to New York and Montreal in my teens, seeing places unknown have always served me well. The extent of my travels during my youth were mostly spent at Myrtle Beach where my family vacationed each year during the week of the 4th of July though there was also an ocassional trip to Maryland and Washington, DC and a still memorable trip to Florida when I was 8 years old... And you didn't think I could remember that far back in time, did you? ;-)

The German Alps to...

Berchtesgaden

As I became older, the opportunity for travel grew more... apart from the trips already mentioned, I was honored to spend a week at Wake Forest University to attend NC Boys State when I was a rising Senior in High School where we participated in the workings of democracy and had some awesome water balloon battles at night! Well, Boys will be Boys! Little did I know that such fun was a preparation of sort for other possible battles to come...

Nowhere! Hey! Sad little boy needs to GO TRAVEL!

Pondering the Life Ahead... if only I knew!

Growing up in rural North Carolina allowed me to appreciate the pristine quality of life and family that existed and yet as the world's means of communication and education expanded, to realize there was a much greater and expansive world beyond my personal universe!

Ok, This was NOT exactly what I had in mind, but..

You had a good life but you left, You're Right!

Just one year after graduating High School, I received a letter from then President Nixon which began, "Greetings from the President". Uh-Oh! Yes, it seems that my country needed me to go fight for freedom against oppression only in the end, it seemed more that those on whose behalf we were fighting wanted their own say in who and how their country was meant to be! Hmmm.... Sound familiar? Well, I did my duty because every man that had a major impact upon my life had done the same. I don't regret it in any way, but wonder what the real reasons were and remain to this day. It just seems to me that we could do so much better than beating each other's brains out over ideology... But, what do I know?

It took me here, and made me also wish to...

Cathedral Notre Dame, circa 1973

However, it did provide me with my humble beginnings in seeing places and experiencing sights never before imagined! From the sweaty sands of Ft. Jackson, South Carolina to the cosmopolitan expanse of San Diego, California to an awakening of a different way of life in Heidelberg, Germany to the magnificent views and historical footprints found in Paris... I was no longer bound to a single, rural existence! The world existed in a way far beyond my comprehension, and so a traveller is born!

BE BACK HERE! ;-) I'm glad to share this world...

Never-ending Friends & Trust

Still, in times of loneliness and especially during holidays, there was always a constant reminder of who I was and where I came from and still belonged... I was perhaps more fortunate than many as I have read pages here from those who had to flee their homes because of persecution or lack of freedom and opportunity. These things belong to all who share this earth and no one should be denied them. My first and most beloved dog "Patches" was given freedom and in the end, it cost him his life. But, he lived freely and happily and I think now he would have agreed that to be free was worth the eventual end, as we all must reach our end anyway, right?

With YOU! Where are you? Where will you go?

Earth and Moon as Viewed from Mars

So as this world goes forward, just as in my life, we may be better served to look not only to the future, but keeping an eye on the past. It is said that history repeats itself and surely that has been proven true too many times. How many more times must it repeat before we realize that humanity, goodness, and kindness must find some way to prevail over greed, prejudice, and misguided beliefs? To accomplish this we should adopt the KISS principle... Keep It Simple, Stupid!

Page Updated Apr 8, 2005
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Comments (378)

Waalewiener Dec 19, 2011 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday tomorrow Steve
DAO Dec 18, 2011 at 11:33 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Steve and many happy returns!!!
Callavetta Dec 18, 2011 at 9:18 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
MacedonianUK Dec 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday !
Hexepatty Dec 18, 2011 at 6:43 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Steve! ; )
maysue Dec 17, 2011 at 1:41 AM Report Abuse

Happy early Birthday! Taking this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry X'Mas, and Happy 2011 New Year. Best wishes, Maysue
havanaivan Dec 20, 2010 at 5:42 AM Report Abuse

Hope you had a happy birthday. I wish you the best for 2011. Take care. Best Regards, Ivan
keida84 Dec 20, 2010 at 3:47 AM Report Abuse

Steve, Happy Birthday to you my friend I hope you have a lovely day with the ones you love (they are pretty special in their own right) Love from, Kat
Rabbityama Dec 19, 2010 at 12:10 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday!
Donna_in_India Dec 18, 2010 at 6:30 PM Report Abuse

Hi Steve - hope you have a very happy birthday (and congratulations on your marriage!).