see the world

I am going to purpose that we start saving for an overseas trip. Not just a US trip. We live here from crying out loud and agree that no matter what any song says, the US is not the best place on earth. We have friends with family in India, that would rock. We are both Irish, I have a woman who is like a grandma to me who is from Inverness, Scotland, though we actually get fist-a-cuffs over if there really is a loch ness monster. She says no, “notice the only people who see it are american tourists with video cameras?!” She’s onry, she’s scottish. I love her.
So, we will have to start thinking about it in NYC. Canada is OUT because we go there all the time, its 15 minutes from our house, UNLESS its Vancouver. Thats on the Alaska side (and where they film Supernatural..dont tell). Australia I think is out. EVERY american wants to go to Australia. All I think about is Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman (which is cool actually), Mel Gibson, and as much as a environmentalist Steve Irwin was, he was annoying. Though, I just found a guy on 43 things who is from Australia who seems to be earning points for Australia again. But really, Its not on the list for places to see anytime soon. Sorry Enso.
Anywhere but here. Its still snowing…in April.

today I went on dartonmap.net and threw a dart to see where I would go if I could. I am going to Russia. Good thing I listened to those cd’s when I was social worker and in the car all day. I learned….well, much of nothing.
Anyway, I have always wanted to go to Russia. When I applied for the Peace Corp, I was applying for the Ukraine. Nice weather, if you like that, and I do. As much as I want to go to Africa, it’s TOO hot. Irish = sun bad.
So today I am thinking about what it would be like to go to Russia and spend the day. I wonder where my dart will go tomorrow.

Africa. I dreamt of helping build one of the wells that I am trying to raise money for. Teach people about how to keep water clean and stop the spread of Malaria. Play with children, look around and marvel at the fact I am in a different country. Appreciate the fact that there a few cars, no tvs and people aren’t going to swear at me. No particular place in Africa, just anywhere in Africa. With people and children who understand and appreciate what it was like to wake up alive today and hope that a new day has come, not just for them, but for all of us.
Today while sitting at my desk at Children’s Hospital, I dreamt of clean water in Africa.

When you realize the world is bigger than your town, your city and your state, how can you not want to see the world?! My ignorant step-father says all the time there is no country more beautiful than the US of A. But this is the same man who thinks the melting pot should be turned off. Ugh. I want to see Africa, India, China, Japan, England. I want to hear other languages, eat other food (except Indian…sorry). When I watched the Olympics and saw the opening ceremony, I was amazed at how beautiful the stories and the culture were. Americans have cowboys on horses and that is NOT a good story for other cultures. So what, superheroes? Too see the sunset in India and then in Africa over a safari…that would be a dream come true.