2012 In A Nutshell:
– 3 Continents (North America, Europe, Africa)
– 14 Countries (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, South Africa, Zimbabwe, St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Barth’s, Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt)
– 23 Cities
– 23 airplanes
– 3 Cruises (Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity)
– 3 Deserts (Sahara, Sonoran, Kalahari)
– 32 Resorts Visited/Toured
– 3 Cable Cars (Lionshead, Table Mountain, Santorini)
I compiled that list in awe of what amazing things I’ve been able to experience in the past year. I feel as though each and every trip had a huge impact on shaping me, I am in a totally different place today than I was a year ago today. To me, travel is so much more than extra stamps in the passport – it’s an opportunity to grow and experience the world around you, to let it mold you into someone who can see from multiple perspectives and walks of life.
If I had to choose one trip that truly flipped my worldview on its head, it would have to be the 2-week long tour through the Holy Land. When I entered into the travel business, I made it a goal to visit one life changing place a year. I actually feel that I surpassed that goal this year – while the Holy Land trip was the most influential, Southern Africa was a close second.
Not only were the destinations life changing, the people I traveled with made the experience even more incredible. Where you go is not nearly as important as who you go with.
Being able to find other like-minded, passionate individuals who share similar aspirations is extremely rare – being able to find a group of those people is almost impossible. For that, I’m so grateful for my travel companions in the industry: Laura, Cassie, Beth, Ansley, Kristen, Jamo, and Will, you all make me a better advisor and a better traveler, so thanks for that, even if it does mean you’re a bad influence (you know who you are…okay, it’s most of you).
I’m also fortunate to have the same two travel companions that I’ve had since birth: my parents. They’re who got me into this business, however unintentional, by bringing me on all of their travels. I’m so fortunate to have a family that allows me to go with them, especially on our Holy Land trip. Traveling with the four people that I love the most in this world was an adventure that everyone should take. Watching them mark off the highest item on their bucket list was truly life changing, something I’ll never forget.
To conclude my roundup, I’ll share with you a few of my favorite posts from the year:
Personal:
Our Experience at the Wailing Wall – Jerusalem, Israel – My all time favorite moment of the year
Witnessing the Positive Effects of Tourism – Zimbabwe – Visiting Singita Pamushana’s local village
What My Trip to Africa Meant to Me – How just getting to Africa marked a change in me
The Best Laid Plans – My story of gratefulness after coming close to loss
Humor:
That One Time I Almost Died Taking A Photo of a Charging Rhino – Tswalu Kahalari, South Africa – Pretty self explanatory
Learning to Ski – Vail, CO – I was meant for the sun, not the snow
Best Roadtrip of the Year & – Scottsdale, AZ – Why you should never travel with travel agents (hint: we can’t plan our own trips)
Most Fun I had Saying Goodbye – Anguilla – One of my all time favorite fam trips
How I spent My Leap Day – Turks & Caicos – Things to do on Leap Day: wear red and do something you wouldn’t usually do.
Professional:
Mentioned on Forbes.Com – Proudest. Moment. Ever. Also an explanation behind my dream job.
How the Holy Land shaped me as a travel advisor: What to expect on a trip of this nature
It has been an amazing 2012 – time to ring in 2013 in Cancun! More posts to come as I’m off on an adventure with one of my best friends starting tomorrow!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and for supporting me on this amazing journey. I am always happy to discuss any of these trips and how I can help you turn them into a reality for yourself – I wish you a very Happy 2013 – may it be filled with travel!
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