Confession #1... When they invented luggage with wheels, my heart almost stopped. Just the thought of going someplace far away and exotic sets my mind in a spin. It is a great big, beautiful world and I want to see it, every last inch. I like to think of travel as candy… for my senses and I absolutely adore anything remotely having to do with it: packing, reading globetrotting guides, foreign money, capsule wardrobes…
Even though things are beginning to bloom and brave green stems are poking their way up through the dirt, it's a chilly day here in NYC and I have serious wanderlust. Truth be told, Ari and I just got back from our Amazon adventure about 3 weeks ago, but as soon as I am in an airport heading home, I usually start thinking, "Where to next?"
Sometimes it's a location that inspires me or a festival I want to check out. Could be a restaurant or a show, or a great hamam. I am a sucker for beautiful handmade things and have scoured markets on 5 continents looking for exceptional 'stuff'. I also love to plan, something about checklists and maps fires up my nerd brain and if there is a reason for me to buy a new pair of shoes, HOT DAMN - heaven!
When you travel, you get the opportunity to learn so much about yourself, so much about other cultures, so much about the people you are on the road with. Ari is an excellent travel companion. His low-key South American 'no se que' demeanor is a perfect match for my always in overdrive, fast talking, fast moving New York moxy. We make a good pair. He is an excellent photographer and his openness behind the lens is only matched by big, engaging smile - he has people at, "Hola!". I am now (slightly) more reserved when we travel as (occasionally) navigating some parts of the world as a loud mouth female has proved interesting - more on this in future posts... lucky for me I am also good at talking my way out of a jam.
We will be back on the road soon. I just booked us flights to Guatemala. One of the largest handcraft markets in Central America is located in Chichicastenago, about 2.5 hours north of Antigua. The explosion of color alone is enough to hop on a flight. Between that and checking out Antigua, a fabulous UNESCO town riddled with Baroque architecture, I'm already planning on buying an extra bag to fly home with...
Guatemala's largest export is coffee and it is the birthplace of chocolate. It seems that the Mayans worshipped the cacao tree and used this "food of the Gods" and cocoa beans as money. They (and the Aztecs) paid for food, taxes, and clothes with cocoa beans! I love chocolate and good coffee, so does Ari, and the more research I do, the more I think we will need a very large extra bag...
18 Comments
Mar 27, 2024, 1:38:03 PM
ari espay liza politi - WOW! Lucky you, Vaughn. We are always looking for new friends to travel with! You are most welcome on any adventure. ;-)
We are currently in Guatemala but maybe we can meet up before you leave NYC.... ;-)
Mar 27, 2024, 1:15:02 PM
Vaughn Hart - Sounds like my type of friends. I too love travel. I’m an extensive world traveler. I’m visiting NY and here for another 3 1/2 weeks before heading to France, No Spain and Switzerland
Mar 11, 2024, 8:42:49 PM
Judy lindo - From one fellow female NewYorker to another…sometimes we need to zip it. LOL. Great blog. See you in May
Mar 11, 2024, 8:03:53 PM
ari espay liza politi - Thank you, Judy! See you in May! ;-)
Mar 11, 2024, 2:17:46 PM
Elane Zelcer - Liza - your post is wonderful & I look forward to reading the next about Guatemala. I miss travelling with you both and so many others that I’ve met - I look forward to the next opportunity to travel with you all!
Mar 11, 2024, 1:32:17 PM
ari espay liza politi - Elane!
Many thanks for the kind words! We are looking forward to seeing you soon too! Come visit us!
Mar 11, 2024, 12:45:09 PM
Ahmad Amir - Reading this just makes me excited about our upcoming trip with you. We are SO excited!
Mar 11, 2024, 12:28:33 PM
Joanne Angstadt - Liza, Your blog is brilliant! You have introduced us to so many fantastic experiences! We cannot thank you enough! We cannot wait to travel with you and Ari again. You two are the best! Much love, Joanne 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
Mar 11, 2024, 12:16:33 PM
Michael Vandezande - Love your Spring Travel Fever post! We always enjoy traveling with the you two of you. Your trips have so much to offer for anyone on them, photographer and non-photographers and just adventure seekers.
Mar 11, 2024, 12:08:48 PM
Robin Fader - You create adventures and memories for a lifetime. My life is fuller because of the time spent on trips with both of you. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Mar 11, 2024, 11:54:47 AM
Val Jackson - Liza, this is great! You sound just like me about travel - I love every bit, especially the planning parts. You and Ari are fantastic to travel companions and treasured friends!
Mar 11, 2024, 11:52:18 AM
ari espay liza politi - Ahmad! We are so excited too! Can't wait to see you both again in GREECE!
Mar 11, 2024, 11:51:44 AM
ari espay liza politi - Joanne! We miss you too! Let us know when you are able to join us on another trip.... ;-)
Mar 11, 2024, 11:50:51 AM
ari espay liza politi - Thank you, Mike! We are looking forward to our next adventure with you and Cheryl too! ;-)
Mar 11, 2024, 11:20:32 AM
Mireille - Love your blog, your enthusiasm and your amazing organizational skills. So lucky to be able to travel from time to time with the two of you.
Mar 11, 2024, 11:12:45 AM
ari espay liza politi - Robin,
We can say the same about you.... we are so grateful that YOU are in our lives too!
Mar 11, 2024, 11:11:51 AM
ari espay liza politi - Thank you, Val! We can't wait to see you again! We miss you!
Mar 11, 2024, 10:46:23 AM
ari espay liza politi - Thank you, Mireille! We are looking forward to seeing you again too! ;-)