What Mona Lisa sees.
Most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Mine? By your side.
My favorite photo from our first trip to Paris is a photo taken in front of the Mona Lisa — of onlookers witnessing the world’s best known painting. My favorite road trip is to Graceland with my good friend, Tom Kreis, because his love for Elvis is infectious. Most recently, when I had the opportunity to travel to Kennedy Space Center for a NASA Tweetup, the photo I wanted the most wasn’t the Space Shuttle taking off — It was the face of my friend, Tom Buchheim, and other Tweetup participant when they Space Shuttle Endeavor launched. I wanted to travel to London with my wife, because she’s always wanted to go…and I wanted to be there when she made it.
I’m a people watcher and the best travel experiences for me occur when I’m by someone else’s side. I want to witness wonders of the world through the facial expressions of those around me.
My daughter Phoebe wants to visit New York City with all her heart. She wants to walk in Time Square. She wants to watch Broadway show after Broadway show. I’ve been to New York City dozens of times. I’ve been to dozens of Broadway shows. Nevertheless, doing it all again with Phoebe is something I look forward to. Even better would be the opportunity to time the trip between Thanksgiving and Christmas — when New York City is most magical. My daughter Chloe wants to see Alaska. I’d like to be next to her when she witnesses the Northern Lights from our northern-most state.
If we live truly, we shall see truly. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The first time that someone sees a mountain. The first time someone sees the ocean. The first time someone walks into a major league stadium. The first time someone eats a scrambler breakfast at Mickey’s Dairy Bar in Madison, WI. These are the moments I live for.
Moments of discovery. Moments of wonder.
These are the things I’ll travel the world to see.
This post is #5 in a series for #Trust30, a 30-day writing challenge that encourages participants to look within and trust themselves. It’s an opportunity to reflect on ‘now’, and to create direction for the ‘future’. Prompts from inspiring thought-leaders guide participants on the writing journey.
Credits: ‘What Mona Lisa Sees’ Photo is by David Zaza. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one that looks at life through this lens.
The Wonder of a (Double) Rainbow
Witness the wonder of Bear and Irene Do Rio when they observe a double rainbow for an hour on January 8, 2010, at Yosemite.
About Troy Janisch