January 30, 2022 • 73

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #184: Travel Has Taught Me…

Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.

Jack Kerouac

Amy has given us a wonderful challenge this week.

People often ask us why we sold our condo and decided to travel full-time. Here are some of the reasons why we love to travel.

Travel Changes Your Perspective on Life

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

– Gustave Flaubert

Our vistas have expanded beyond our national borders. Our view of the world now encompasses cultures and people very different from our own.

This photo was taken decades ago when we visited friends in Italy. I had no idea that the some of the world’s finest Greek ruins are actually in Sicily. Here, in The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento you can see one of them.

Travel Means Making New Friends and Meeting Relatives

A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.

Tim Cahill

One of the joys of traveling has been making new friends and meeting up with relatives overseas. We always ask them to share their favorite local places.

When we were visiting our Dutch cousin Joke, she took us to her favorite museum–the Kroeller-Mueller, which has the world’s largest private collection of Van Gogh works. It was amazing.

Travel is Trying New Food and Restaurants

The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.

Anna Quindlen

Another joy of traveling has been expanding our food horizons. Who would have thought of adding a miniature Oreo cookie to an ice cream bar?

We also discovered the “secret sauce” that some Italians add to their pizza. It’s called ‘nduja.’

Travel is Discovering Local Customs

Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions.

Peter Hoeg

I love discovering the customs and quirks unique to a city or culture. They give me great pleasure.

Recently, I posted a photo of Nancy Schön’s sculpture, Make Way For Ducklings in the Boston Public Gardens. This week, I discovered that people have been decorating the sculptures for more than three decades. On Friday, the ducks were wearing capes and jackets to keep them warm as the temperatures dropped and snow started to fall. On another day they were wearing hockey jerseys. What’s next?

If I get very curious, I can read Schön’s book featuring photos of the ducks in different costumes called Ducks on Parade! 

A special thanks to Amy for this week’s inspiring challenge. Be sure to visit her site and see her wonderful post. We hope you will join us! I’m looking forward to seeing what travel means to you.

Last week, we all enjoyed Ann-Christine’s Memorable Events challenge. Your stories and photos were inspiring. Thanks to Ann-Christine, I’m eager to visit the Sahara.

On Saturday, February 5th at noon, John Steiner will leading the challenge. His topic is Change. He describes it like this: Given that change is inevitable, for this week’s challenge consider change as it applies to you. Maybe it’s the changes in your family over the years, the change of seasons in your favorite park, or even the change in the technology of your camera equipment. In short, what does “change” mean to you?

Until then, have a safe and inspiring week!

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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73 replies »

    • We have rented places over the past two years, but haven’t settled down yet. At least we were able to go to Vancouver this past year. That was wonderful. The rest of our travel has been in the USA. Here’s hoping we can go to Europe in the spring. I’m sure you feel the same way about traveling.

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  5. Hi Patti, Excellent selectios, and photos are beautifully capture. Good to know that some of the world’s finest Greek ruins are actually in Sicily.These ducks are so cute!
    We heard about the worst snow storm in decades, hope you do well. Stay warm.

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    • Hi, Amy. Thanks! We are fine. We never lost power, so I am very thankful for that. Yes, the Greek ruins are wonderful. We saw them decades ago, but they are still a powerful memory. And the ducks…so cute! Have a good week.

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  6. Love how you organized this one Patti, and of course I agree with all of your “lessons” learned. You of all people illustrate the importance of the lessons learned through travel. Here’s hoping the winter storm hasn’t been to hard on you – and also a belated Happy Birthday wish – hope it was a wonderful day. Terrific post as always!

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    • Thanks for the birthday wishes! We were able to have a nice dinner before the snow. The city of Boston really knows how to plow and shovel after a storm. Very impressive! And thanks for your kind words about the post. I hope you have a sunny week with some golf, too.

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  15. Hi Patti
    the opening suitcase – the old hardcore with the name – wow – what a cool photo – would like to know more about that?
    —
    and enjoyed your take on what traveling has taught – and the selling of the condo seems to have been a great strategy for living life to the full.
    And the secret sauce discovery – now we are talking – oh baby – that was new to me and going to click the link now

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  16. Wonderful! I’ll start with the Oreo ice cream bar please. I must try to get to the Kroeller-Mueller sometime. I’m a Van Gogh fan and I’ve been to the Netherlands many times, but not that area.

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    • You got it, John. Ice cream first. I hope you can go to the Kroeller-Mueller. It was fabulous. Some of the sketches were from his early years. They were just fantastic. If you go, let me know. I’d love to hear your reaction.

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    • Oh you know about ‘nduja!! Isn’t it terrific? The ice cream was as good as it looks. It’s true that there are many lovely things we discover when we travel. I have a long list. 😀. Have a good week, too.

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  22. Another great post Patti. I think if I was on my own I’d probably sell up and buy a motor home and travel around, though maybe I’m getting too late in life for a true nomadic existence. The OH is a home bird though and he’d never leave all his guitars behind. My favourite part of travelling is discovering new places (especially with history), new cuisines, and just the excitement of somewhere different.

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    • Hi, Jude. A motor home. Friends of ours are doing that. They traveled right through the pandemic. Maybe your OH would compromise and take one of his guitars?? I totally agree with your joys of travel.

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  23. Pingback: Great Blue Herons Dam Love Letter | Babsje Heron

  24. Hi Patti

    Your photo of Make Wy for Ducklings surely must win the internet this week! How fabulous they look rocking those capes. Just a small example of the value of visiting a place more than once, as things can change. Something to keep in mind.

    All of your photos here are beautiful captures, especially the Sicilian Greek Temple

    Here’s my offering for this week’s Lens Artists Travel topic:

    Great Blue Herons Dam Love Letter

    Best, Babsje

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  26. Pingback: Lens-Artists #184: Broadening My Horizons – Musin' With Susan
  28. Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC22-185-0131-Things-Travel-Has-Taught-Me – WoollyMuses

  30. I was thinking there must be a slight thaw in NE by now and then checked the weather with more on the way. My sister described the roads in NH as a glazed donut. Thats pretty cold. You know I love ducks.

    Your chosen words were on point. There really is so much to learn anywhere we go. I am going to be on the look out for more oreos now. Fun. Stay warm. Donna

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