I once wrote that ‘travel without fear is like meat without salt’ and in truth I’ve been obsessed with journeys since I can remember being obsessed with anything – because of my insatiable curiosity about the world and its peoples. A journey without any fear is bland like salt-less meat or soup. I’ve never laughed, loved or cried so much as when traveling. Yes I’ve been scared, terrified a few times, but very few regrets even though it’s probably the reason I still don’t own a house.
My last alone trip was just a few weeks ago, to Georgia (the country not the US state) and what a time! The mountains of Tusheti in the North East were tinged with snow and the trees red and copper, the local dogs huge and ferociously friendly, the wine abundant; amongst others I met Fredo the lovely unruly biker, and Alexi from Tbilisi with his one hand and utterly unique chat-up lines……
I felt reassuringly safe as a woman traveling around on public transport alone; I stayed at this wonderful guesthouse in the Pankesi valley amongst the Kist Highland Chechen Muslim minority – was moved to tears by the Chechen women singers of Aznash Laaman and went mountain biking for the first time ever (muddy brilliant & knackering). I even bought a Georgian rug!
These small and big adventures are why I’ll always travel; do drop me a line or three if you’d like to share your own travel stories, it would be sheer pleasure to hear from you – take risks, and don’t forget to kiss the sky
