W is for Wander Wisely (or as a friend just shared with me: All Those Who Wander Are Not Lost)

I am probably the worst planner ever.  Even when it seems like I have a plan, I have none---well, maybe an inkling.  I'm like the never-ending strung out wanderer...constantly changing things up at the very last minute.  Always on the mad hunt for the next place I want to go to---without even hitting up half the places that are on my mile-long list.  I need to just stop it, I think...but then I hear about a little village in Vietnam or read about a hidden gem in Montenegro and man, I am on it hardcore.

Then, when I'm in a place...things just get worse.  What I laid out in my mind about my travel plans never really splays out.  It's more like--if I'm feeling good and on fire in this spot right now, why end it?  Those moments are so rare, why not just live it and let it take over for a minute? 

I will say one thing, my constant curiosity and fascination with the world is the best way to learn about what the heck is happening out there.  Like, somehow--due to my love affair with Indonesia--I check in on the Jakarta Post (I mean...) every day and get email updates from the Bali news every week.  Or, I keep track of a blog from my fave town in Mexico, just so I stay on top of the local news.  Whole new avenues open up in my mind when I read about what's shaking down halfway around the world, you know?

And, I'm not the chick who goes somewhere anxious to explore all the historical monuments or all the museums and spots the place is famous for.  I get claustrophobic in crowds and can only think of escape.  So, I avoid them all together.  Instead, I try to find the tiniest village, the local food specialty, the dusty trail leading to nowhere and I let those elements guide me.  I go by instinct alone, for the most part--and it seems to always work out for me. 

Maybe I'm over-thinking it all?  I guess all I need to do is keep walking that crazy lost path.  I think somewhere along the way, I will have circled back far enough to run into myself--and find whatever it is I've been looking for the whole time.  What a moment that will be. 

I guess maybe a drink is in order.  Round about right now.  Holla.