Patagonia Wilderness

I wanted nature. And I got it. Loads of it!! And sometimes nothing else before it, behind it, next to it or inbetween :) But let's begin where the Patagonia Overland Tour started. In Puerto Montt, Chile. Well, for me that is. Everyone else had already met up in Santiago the day before. But hey, easy peasy to meet up with a group in a tiny airport when you know the arrival time of a flight and when there's only like one exit for the passengers. No problem, right?? The problem only starts when the guide and the group you are supposed to meet think you are an elderly and confused woman, who was supposed to meet up with everyone in Santiago already. But long made short: After 3 hours at the airport of Puerto Montt and a few calls (on a Sunday!!) back home to my help desk group at the Swiss Travel Agency we finally met up and the tour could begin for me as well :)

A tour of 2 weeks with 11 strangers (German, Austrian and Swiss) and one guide which took us from the middle to the most Southern town of Chile. We started off with a boat ride and a hike next to a few impressive volcanos (and there are supposedly over 1000 of those in Chile). Then we were wise enough to take a swim in the Lago Todos los Santos. How nice was that. And we were so happy we did it in the beginning. Thinking that the waters down South would only get colder. And we were proven right. I would not have wished to go swim in the Lago Argentino or any other of the many lakes we passed and walked by after. Besides all of those lakes and volcanos we saw so many different animals. Sheep, deer and foxes of course. But what was more interesting for me were the guanacos, the condors and the penguins. Animals I don't see back home.

When I am thinking back to those two weeks, the Patagonia Overland tour for me was: loads of dirt roads. No need to spend money on a Massage :) Long rides in the bus, but also walks through this stunningly beautiful nature. Be it at the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina or at the Torres del Paine NP in Chile. Or just through an "Enchanted Forest" where you can sense the little gnomes and fairies hiding behind the trees and be taken to another world. The whole trip felt like being in another world at times. Especially as it was the end of the season already, when at some places the roads were empty but worn out from all the tourists that had passed during the summer. The little towns, where downtown was as big as a shoe box, made me forget that there exist bigger places like Santiago or Buenos Aires. And then you are taken aback when suddenly you have to watch out for cars again and there's more than just 5 people walking on the streets. I will also not forget the "Terror gadflies"!! Oh man, I have never quite seen such annoying and agressive beasts as those we've met here in Chile. They were not as big as the known to me horse flies, but oh boy, they were mean, attacking us constantly. But then again, everything's bigger and better here in Chile, right Eric ;) Well, maybe not the Chilean deer. Those seem to be extremely small and to me look like a pig :) Sometimes, the so called "technical stops" weren't an easy task. For example when there's no bush around to hide behind. Or when you see bushes and think you walk over green grass to get there and it turns out to be a marsh you are walking through. Very funny!! ;) And then, just after, you finally find a bush and this one turns out to be full of thorns. I tell you, leaving a "Pipicacasee" can be an adventure in Chile :) It's easier to cross the Neverland inbetween the Chilean and the Argentine border ...

During all this time we were so lucky with the weather. Sunshine almost all the way through. And when there wasn't, the rain was fittingly perfect, like in el bosque encantado. Or the wind just a friend, like in Torres del Paine. And if at places there were just cabañas y nada más (log houses and nothing else), it felt perfectly right as well!!

I may not have found the so desired Starbucks along the way ;) But I think I have seen and encountered far better things!! New friends from Austria (las chicas superpoderosas :)). A beautiful Poncho in El Calafate. Guido (or was it Diego, Renate?? ;)), the bus driver who brought us safely to "the almost end of the world". A guide that is super impressive with all the knowledge he shared and with the passion he shared it with, and who turned out to become my husband so fast ;)) We even have names for our three children already :) And above all the magnificent still wild nature of Patagonia. Even though that it would be more comfortable and faster for tourists to travel on if there was asphalt all the way through, let's hope that the rutas, caminos y senderos of Patagonia stay just this wild for a little while longer and keep it's charm that way ...

Now that I have been from winter to summer and seen and felt the first glimpses of fall down here in South Patagonia, it is time for me to head back into summer (cause aren't I intending to spend "the winter away" :)). Back North. Where weirdly it is warmer than in the South. Oh, and Iv'e heard it is pretty warm back home. So probably even warmer than where I am right now. I have crossed back into Argentina today. And back in the city (Rio Gallegos) you have to watch out for the honking Argentine cars who don't give a damn about pedestrians ... Two more bus rides until I get to Santiago de Chile. And just one more week until another world opens to me. Cruising once again. This time over Latin America to Los Angeles, California. Who can't wait to see Dani California again :) So, this is it, the last Blog from South America. Ive had a great time here and I hope that some time, a path will lead me back here ...

 

 

 

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

- Marcel Proust -

Los soñadores diurnos

It’s been only close to 2 weeks that I have left Buenos Aires, but many roads have been traveled inbetween. And there have been roads, no flying included. My way of getting further has up till now been the buses in Argentina. And don't forget the horse. But more about that later.

My first trip by bus lead me away from Buenos Aires to Rosario. A city in the area of Santa Fe, about 4 hours up North. And on this bus ride I tasted my first Empanada. With many more to come after that. Buenos Aires waved good bye as it had greeted me. With lots of rain and thunder and lightning. Seems to be it’s way with me. But just a few hours later I arrived in hot and humid Rosario. And spent a lovely weekend there. With my own personal city guide: Adrian. He’s a friend of a friend back home and took the time to show me "his City". Late dinners (well normal time dinners for Argentina). Strolls along the river beach with ice cream of course (which melted away before you’ve had your first lick). More ice cream at Yomo’s (I have been told that this is THE place to go for ice cream in Rosario, and it was quite worth it!!). Calzon made by the city guide himself (d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!!). And – the best of it all – a private concert for me. And Stevie (Adrian’s dog) :) Just beautiful!!! Muchas gracias again Adrian, for having taken all this time to show me around. I have truly enjoyed and appreciated a lot!! And I’m sure I’ll see you again someday. In Argentina, Switzerland or wherever else ...

One city lead me to the next: Córdoba. Actually just a stop inbetween for me on my way further West. But it was a nice day. Sunny and warm. And more Empanadas on my plate :) After just one day there it was time to head to Mendoza. A place where it supposedly never rains. "Nunca lluvia in Mendoza." It never rains in Mendoza. That’s what the taxi driver told me. And not just him, everyone else as well, like the lady in the hotel. The people doing the Bodega tour. And later on, of course the people at the Estancia. But guess what, of course it rained in Mendoza while I was there. And not little if I might add! But oh well, you can still sip some wine even when it rains. And sipping, that’s the only thing I did while visiting three Bodegas in the Mendoza area. For someone who actually does not drink wine, that’s a lot already. But like they say, while in Rome, do it like the Romans do. So I did :)

Since arriving in Buenos Aires 3 weeks ago it’s been city after city. So I was in desperate need for some nature. Mendoza brought me a little closer to it (already seeing the mountains when entering the city), but what really got me the full nature program were 5 day on the Estancia Rancho 'e Cuero. Unbelievable, but it only takes a 2 hour ride in a 4-wheel car (can you even call that thing a car, it was so hugeeeeeee), up a road into the Andes. And the drive itself being an adventure. I have a 4-wheel drive car, but I don’t think I would manage to get up there with it. So after just short of 2 hours you arrive in a completely different world: at Rancho 'e Cuero. A  piece of a jewel out in nature’s best. No Wifi, no signal on my cell (only in that one small "magic spot" which allowed me to send some bday texts). No connection to the outside world. But what a treat this can be! Instead you get loads of quiet and piece. You actually hear nature. The sounds of the streams, the wind whistling. The horse making its way up the mountain for you to enjoy a spectacular view after. It were a great few days. Even though in the beginning the rain was still present. But what I’ll remember of those few days is the lovely family Palma (unfortunately I did not get to meet everyone, not hard, if there are 6 children and 6 grandchildren, 1 more on the way). Pedro, the Gaucho, and his singing on the horse or elsewhere. The food Roxana, Pedros wife (how lucky is he!!) made for us every day. How am I going to manage now without it? Camel, the dog, who gets kind of depressed when he can’t be at the Estancia. Fernet, my Black Beauty during the time there (and no, he does not drink alcohol :)). All the wild animals whe saw: Condors, Guanacos, deer, rabbits and many more. The Siesta times after lunch which I did not spend for a nap but rather reading in front of the fire place. Watching a Swiss music festival on TV (yep, even out in nowhere land you can watch TV). The drive further up on my mom’s birthday to get a better signal and being able to call her. The hot-water bottle to keep me warm over night. And so many more things. I would like to add a few words someone oft he Park Hyatt Magazine in Zurich wrote after having visited Rancho 'e Cuero:

"Our experience was like visiting close family, with a sincerity from the heart felt in the smallest details, whether the rooms, the wonderful, home-cooked meals or Pedro, the proud gaucho! A visit close to the sky at Rancho 'e Cuero is much more than just a trip. Here, time stands still and, afterwards, you are ready for everyday life again! Pure relaxation …

Now I am purely relaxed. Ready for some new adventures. And the first one just started today: The bus drive from Mendoza to Santiago de Chile. Spectacular ride through the Andes but a long wait at Chilean customs (5 h!!). It looks like someone tried to smuggle drugs over the boarder. So a big thank yo to them for the long wait … I hope it will be faster in 2 ½ weeks, when I have to cross again! Oh, and I got another stamp in my new passport :) More to come …

But for now I am looking forward to one day (no worries, I’ll come back for another) in Santiago and 2 weeks of Patagonia Wilderness. More nature to explore and daydream about …

 

"Aquellos que sueñan durante la noche en los polvorientos recodos de su mente despiertan durante el día para darse cuenta de que todo ha sido vanidad, pero los soñadores diurnos son peligrosos porque pueden vivir su sueño con los ojos abiertos a fin de hacerlo posible."

- T.E. Lawrence –

 

City of Fair Winds

The ship spit us out in Rio de Janeiro. And let us back on. And we survived that day! After all the horrid stories of what could happen there that I have been hearing, we actually survived. Maybe it was because of our personal guide for the day - Bernardo from Chile - but maybe it also was because I was wearing the "lucky seed" necklace that I had bought in Barbados. In any case, we were quite lucky that day!! The weather  (no, I am not complaining about the heat) and the luck were on our side that day. Sunshine all day long. On the way up to Corcovado Mountain to have the same view that lucky guy called Christ the Redeemer has 365 days a year. On the way back down and past Sugarloaf Mountain. Along Copacabana and Ipanema Beach (but where did that girl hide :)). And also in the evening Samba Show. So a day full of success. After that, what was left of the cruise was spent 2 more days at sea (which we've had more than enough off) and in Uruguay at the Estancia La Rábida. A wonderful place and day, filled with Mate Tea, a carriage ride to the beach, the famous asado (my first time) and some cow milking and Uruguayan games. I liked it so much there that I decided to book a few days on an Estancia in Argentina. You'll be hearing about that in the next Blog.

The day to get off Queen Victoria after almost 4 weeks came quite fast after that. Birthday dinner on board and then it was Good Bye sea days the next morning. And Hola Buenos Aires. The city greeted us with rain. So I spent the morning in my very nice Hotel Loi Suites Arenales (very recommendable if anyone ever comes to Buenos Aires), uploading the daily pictures of the last days, which would have taken me hours to upload on the ship. I love free and fast Wifi :) But faster than I thought the sun came out again and it was time to start exploring the city. And there's so much to explore, see, feel and live here: colourful and vivid areas like La Boca. Artsy places like San Telmo (especially on a Sunday when the market is going on), reminding me of Montmarte in Paris. Modern and chic Palermo. Or overcrowded streets like Florida. The street where you can change money after every few meters. Cambio cambio. Change. Money change. By now, after one week, I can't hear it anymore. No, thank you, but I don't want to change money. Talking about money, the used Argentine Pesos look like they've gone through laundry machine after laundry machine. People, how are you treating your money ;))

To get around in Buenos Aires you can easily take buses, taxis or the underground, which is called subte here. Which I have never done up till now. Walking seems to be my thing here. Not that I am such a sporty girl. But, like the main character in the book that I am reading right now is saying: "It was exquisite to use my legs after so many stagnant months at sea." Not that I have been at sea for several months, though it might have seemed that way at some time. But I still felt like I needed to walk. That feeling has decreased a little now after one week, though I am still walking :) And you can walk through Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, even though you are not actually there. You can also walk in streets where you have to walk in slalom. I am telling you, I have found "Shit Street" here!!! Or here they call it just simply República de la India, and it goes just along the Buenos Aires Zoo. I don't think the animals there are throwing their stuff over at night when no one is watching ;)

The thing I can't quite get over is, how empty and deserted everything is around here over the weekend. And I don't think it is because we've had a rainy weekend when I was here. It's not like I could check again over the next weekend, cause I will be gone by then ... but it seems that people are escaping the city life over weekends. Also, where I did not find an answer to yet (maybe someone can help?), why are they selling city cups of Rosario (a city of 4 hours North, where I am actually going next) at Starbucks here, and not of Buenos Aires? And one more unsolved riddle: even though it is not raining, there are splashes of water coming down from above. From heaven? Buildings? My friend Mari just told me yesterday that it is the AC. So maybe not so unsolved anymore. I guess that might be my answer to the last riddle. Just thinking about the leaking AC on the ship. And yeah, they are very much American here in Buenos Aires as on the ship. Outside freaking hot. Inside freezing cold. I don't seem to be able to escape this "problem" on this journey. I certainly think this won't change once I arrive in Los Angeles ...

One more day left now in the City of Fair Winds before heading on. I will take many memories with me in my "luggage of mind". Especially the meetings with Mari, whom I had last seen 12 years ago. And also one place, one Cafe, that always drew me back there. There's always places like that when you travel, or even back home. Places you feel at home at. Siempre se vuelve a Buenos Aires. That's what it says in this Tango song. I hope it's true!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnrlqqWBsM

 

"For those who are lost, there will always be cities that  feel like home."

 

- Simon Van Booy -

Past Paradise

It is amazing how fast a situation can change into the exact opposite. At one point it is all turmoils outisde and waves as high as 9 metres!! The next it is all calm. As the captain predicted, as of January 8th the sea conditions changed. When I woke that morning I even thought that we were standing still. It was so quiet and peaceful! It is such a different life now compared to the beginning. Most of the time during the days at Sea I spend at the Lido Pool. Relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, reading, going to the hot tub. Or as my friend Barbara (who was with me on the last cruise on Queen Mary 2) would say : the hot pot. Fun memories :)

Other things have changed as well since we arrived in the US. As soon as the temperatures outside got warmer, the AC has been turned on inside. It’s awful, you’re freezing off almost all the body parts you have!! I do love the US to travel, really, but certain habits I just can’t get used to. And this definitely is one of them. Another one would be chlorine in the water. Now who can drink that?! So I guess I just have to stick to Coke and sweet wine, and maybe a Cocktail inbetween ;) One thing that has not changed though is me being asked if I work on the ship. Well, no, I just look that young and, which I hear over and over again, just don’t fit into the age group. Once in the Elevator, when I was on the way to the evening show, I even got asked if I am going to perform there. I wonder as what :)

And as a footnote to entering the US, I can’t remember having entered this country as fast as this time! No fingerprints, no taking off shoes, no photo being taken, no stupid questions as to where I am going, where I am staying, how long I am staying and as a consequence for that, no having to go to a "special room"  and being asked the same questions again. These are the wonders of being a transit guest I assume. From now on I’ll just enter the US in transit. Let’s see what the Los Angeles customs will have to say about that on April 1st :)

The days ashore so far included Miami city life on a sunny Sunday. An airboat ride in the Everglades, seeing quite a few huge alligators and even two baby gators. A special way of seeing Barbados: in Focus. A Photography Tour with a Barbadian photographer. Which of course was the ideal thing to do for me. Was quite worth it. Then a few hours in the city of Bridgetown and a walk on the beach. Which in the end turned out to be a private beach and I had to leave ;) It’s a pity we didn’t make more stops in the Caribbean!! There are so many places we could have gone ashore as well. But we just sailed by all those paradise islands. And instead our next stop turned out to be Fortaleza, Brazil. We gave it a chance, but I don’t think that this is the city I will have to go back to!

The lazy days are over soon. No more sleeping in and lying around. And to be honest, I am not unhappy about that. It's time for a change. Plus, there's lots to see and do in Argentina and Chile. What's left now is one more week on Queen Victoria. Two more stops (Rio and a day in the countryside of Uruguay, which happens to be on my birthday) and four more days at Sea. Then I get off in Buenos Aires. Where the real adventure is just about starting for me.

 

 

It is better to have your head in the clouds and know where you are ... than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them and think that you are in paradise.

 

- Henry David Thoreau -

Trouble(d) at Sea

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014. That’s the day the trouble stopped, well, partly it did. And on a foot note: it’s the day I discovered that I have network on the ship, meaning I could write texts (achhhh, Dani, sometimes you still live in the middle age century :)) Which is kind of surreal, I mean, in the MIDDLE of a BIG ocean … But let’s start where it all began …

I seem to always choose the same words once I am on those traveling roads. That a short time does seem much longer. But I can only repeat myself, because it is true. Only a week ago my journey started. After a short night (it was New Years Eve after all and I could not find my sleep with all the "noise" going on outside) my brother in law brought me to the train station in Basel where I boarded the train – obviously – to London. Changing in Paris (so sorry you beautiful city for not having lingered this time!). As it was New Years Day the train was quite empy. But I couldn’t have bothered anyway as I dozed off for most of the 3 hour ride and it did go by quite quickly. The metro underground at noon was surprisingly – or not for a New Years Day – quiet as well. The people helpful with all my luggage (it is a pain in the ass if you have more than one bag to carry in the Parisian metro) and the metro free (how lucky am I) on this morning. The Eurostar to London turned out to be just a tad bit busier. Guessing all the people who’d done a New Years trip to Paris had to get back home for work on the 2^nd.  London greeted me with its typical English weather (what else is to be expected in January). Some rain and wind. While I do say my sorries to Paris I must apologize to London as well for not staying much longer. There was just enough time for a quick stop at A & F :) (already looking forward to those visits in the US) and a dinner at Fish Works. Meeting up with Sophie, whom I had met almost 5 years ago on the Southern Sun trip from New York to Los Angeles. How quick time passes … and never forget to stop believin‘ you fellow SS trekkers…

It was the next day already that I took a transfer bus to Southampton, where the Queen Victoria was starting it’s 4 months world cruise. Nooooooooo, I am not staying on for that Long!! I have figured out by now that 3 weeks is more than enough on those ocean roads. Especially if they start out the way they did on this journey!! Oh dear, I have seldom felt as sick as during those first 3 days! And no, this is not my first cruise. Almost 4 days of going through a massive storm that was raging in the North Atlantic. This big ship suddenly feeling as small as a nutshell in the big Atlantic waves. How powerful nature can be … When I booked the first part of this cruise to Buenos Aires I thought I could manage the 10 days it takes to Ft. Lauderdale. Cause after 3 days there was supposed to be the first port of call in Ponta Delgada in the Azores. But as an effect oft he storm we could unfortunately not make that port of call. Heading straight on to Florida. Oh, how I am longing to hit land again!

Inbetween there is enough time to relax. Now that the sea is as calm as ever (this morning I thought we were standing still!). I truly hope it stays that way. There’s time to read. There’s time to have an Afternoon English Tea Time. There’s time to go to the movies. To Shows. To Line Dance Classes. To the gym. To Yoga Classes. And there is time to observe. Observe all the stories that are going on on a ship like this. I could write a book about it. Actually, I should write a book about it once I return ;)

Halfway through on the way to the US. Somewhere in the middle of the Southern Atlantic now. It seems like there’s a world inbetween. Or maybe just a whole lot of water :)

3 more days until we arrive in the Sunshine State. Time to pet an alligator :)

 

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.

 

- Andre Gide -

As Time Goes By ...

Christmas is over. The Christmas markets that have accompanied us through the last few weeks have disappeared. Songs like "Last Christmas" (there's people who hate it and those who can't wait to hear it again next Christmas) have been played for weeks and now stopped playing again on the radio. There have been springlike temperatures during these days. And then there has been snow. Festive family get togethers with loads of food - I imagine - included have taken place. For the last month or so there have been lights hanging everywhere. And I guess they will stay there for a little while longer. That is, until a new year begins ...

Everything comes and goes. Don't you think that this last year has passed so very fast? Like a shooting star. It was there, and then it was already gone. You barely got the time to really grasp it. I remember, as a child, when days felt like years and time couldn't move fast enough. I want to be older already. Now, it moves too fast. There's this saying .. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in while, you could miss it." It's true. people are so busy, they barely find the time to just stop. And look.

Another year is coming up. Just a few days until the old year has to make place for a new one. I am going to start this year with yet another trip of mine. The longest I have done so far. 5 months. Somehow this time it feels a little different. Maybe it is because it is the longest I have done so far. Maybe it is because it has been quite a hassle to get everything together (I know, luxury problems right there ..). Maybe it is because I have the feeling that this might be the last of this kind of trips for me. Maybe it is because I have never before felt as stressed as now in organizing it. Maybe it is because I am quite anxious for the part in Argentina. Especially meeting a friend again that I have last seen 12 years ago. And here it is again: Time. Time has played tricks on us. We've lost contact over those years. And I am sad we did. But life sometimes gets in the way. I know everything won't be as it was 12 years ago. I mean, how can it. A lot of time has passed. People change over the years. And that's just normal. The only constant IS change. But I am still hoping that somehow we will be able to find the "old" connection we've had again. Cause I am really looking forward to meet! Maybe ...

3 days to go now. 3 days until the train will take me to London, from where I will board a cruise ship. Destination: Buenos Aires. A good 3 weeks of relaxing and just be. Taking it slowly. Maybe reminisce about the past year. But not too much. Cause one has to look forward (Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.). And I am looking forward. Forward to some amazing adventures. Meeting people. Making new memories. And taking thousands of pictures of beautiful places :)

Please take the time to join me in my traveling roads. A Winter away. And don't forgot to stop once in while and just look! ;)

Be safe and happy trails to you!!

PS: You can also follow me picturewise (one picture a day) if you follow this link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157638324161773

 

Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away.

Low Season

The first time I felt like fall was close, was at Sun Dance Ranch. It was not even the change of colours in the leaves or that it was already getting colder (well, I’ve never hat very summery temperatures up North at no point of time). Maybe it was more the smells while riding through the woods. Like the one of wet wood after a rainy night. Maybe it was also just that you can rather see the change of season in nature than in a city. Well, our travelling roads through the South of Sweden definitely proved that another season was about to start. It was not during the last two days in Stockholm, where summer is still going on and we were walking roofs to have fantastic views over the city. Or taking a steam boat out into the archipelago, having dinner accompanied with wonderful music, sounding through the night. I guess it was more when we started to hit the countryside. First stop out of Stockholm was Gotland. The time there was unfortunately way too short and if ever I get the chance I must go back! A 3 hour ferry ride and you arrive in Visby and with that in a different world. We spent the nights no more in hotel rooms but in cosy wood cabin on Campgrounds (recalling Alaskan Times, just without the cabin). The streets were almost empty. The beaches as well. Stores opened late. Cafes were closed. Low season has started in Sweden. That's what the lady at the first Campground told us (As we should have called before arriving. Well, you should have told us that we should have called, and we surely would have done that :)). That wasn't the first and last time we realized that low season was really here. But hey, see the positive side of it. You don't have too many people standing in the way for great pictures :) After a few days in the country, seeing beautiful nature, fascinating rock formations, no mooses and rare signs of them and cheesy but oh so wonderful sunsets, we hit the city again: Göteborg. Second largest city in Sweden. But as nature was calling us we left after just half a day and drove further South, along the West Coast. Along the Swedish Riviera, as it is called. Good thing we did that, cause those beaches were really lovely (and guess, yes, a "low-season-amount-of-people" there :)). We even managed to see a lighthouse in the end - as you know I l-o-v-e lighthouses - along a rough and very windy coast. What a beautiful end to a great journey.

 

I'm back to where I started. One more day in Bremen, Germany. Tomorrow I'm heading back home after 5 weeks of travelling. I hope you enjoyed travelling up North with me. Until next time. As there surely will be :)

 

Roof Top Walking in Stockholm

 

Raukar in Gotland

 

Along the Coast of Gotland

 

Sunset in Vadstena

 

Lovely Times along the West Coast

 

 

"And just maybe instead of focusing on the destination, we ought to look at the journey."

- Jodi Picoult -