Another year about to finish and that winter solstice celebration known by a number of names--I grew up with Christmas--followed by what many call New Year.Living in Asia we have a shifting calendar of New Years. With several to chose from, we can celebrate accordingly.
For me, 2008 was a stellar year, but my scale may be different from others. Travel is a heavy determinant in my personal yearly ratings and once again, this year was a winner.
Trains have obsessed me since childhood, and with the exception of the interrupted stretch continuing on from Kazakhstan, I indulged in a train odyssey of my dreams. Up through western China, a month's stopover in Mongolia, on through portions of Siberia and then south to Kazakhstan.
A small glitch in the form of corruption at the Russian Embassy in Alamaty, Kazakhstan, required that I fly out to my next destination of Ukraine. From there, back to trains and on to visit friends in Europe. (The trip is posted on my companion blog: http://paka-cattravels.blogspot.com/.)
At the end, it was south through the Balkans to fly back from Athens. Over four months "on the road." What more could any travel-addicted nomad ask for?
Let's just s
ay...Santa came early for me this year.
ay...Santa came early for me this year. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year!
May All Your Dreams Come True!
