Finished up with physical therapy today, several weeks ahead of schedule because of good results. Mobility and balance are improved, working on getting strength back where needed, and making lots of progress. So much so, thinking a couple of things I would love to do may well be possible.
One is to do the bike rides previously discussed. Think Scottsdale is out of the question simply due to time (too close). Others, we will see.
The others involve travel. Not typical tourism travel; rather, there are some places I would love to go for other reasons.
The lowest on the totem pole is a trip to Vietnam. I’ve been reading about some amazing success the Russian Orthodox Church says it is having there. Not what I would have expected, and frankly I’m curious. That I also happen to like some aspects of the culture and love most of the food (Vietnamese spring rolls are the best in SE Asia IMHO) would just add to it. I would like to spend a few weeks, or even a month or three, seeing what is being done, how it is being done, and along the way practice/learn proper Vietnamese cooking.
Now, I would also love to visit the Holy Lands. Already have a good idea of where I would like to go including St. Catherine’s Monastery, burning bush, Jerusalem, etc. For a number of reasons, doubt it will happen, but can hope and am plotting it out just in case.
What I do think is doable is a trip to the Balkans. While most of it would be in Bulgaria, it would also include some time in Romania, possibly Serbia, and at Mt. Athos in Greece. If I had the money, have looked into going by cargo ship but it may be cheaper to fly. Romania has my interest because of a train trip into the Carpathian Mountains and a chance to spend a day cooking with a chef. That I could also work in some Churches and such is a bonus.
Most of my time would be spent in Bulgaria, where I’ve plotted out 20+ monasteries, ending with visiting the tomb of St. John of Rila. From there, I would go down into Greece and spend a week (if possible) at Mt. Athos. Now, I would do some other things while in Bulgaria, and am working with some natives to make sure I see the best things. Not necessarily the touristy things, but the right things.
My current plan is to use rail, bus, and other means, up to and including shanks mare, to get around. A number of the monasteries are clustered, which makes it easy to get between them, and they also can provide places to stay. Which makes the trip financially doable. With working out and continuing to do some of the physical therapy at home, it’s doable even if I have to walk a good bit.
To be honest, if I had the money, would look at hopping a cargo ship in Greece to Egypt, see some of the sights, hop a plane to Jordan to visit the Valley, then go back to Egypt and from there into the Sinai and Israel. A man can dream.
Just a crazy idea (ideas) to share with you. Who knows what will happen, but if it does happen, will be glad to post and share the adventure(s) with you.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Random thought: Are there any jobs that might offer opportunities for the kind of travel you want? A low- to mid-level staff spot (we used to call them “staph spots” back in the day, but the back of the plane gets there at the same time the front does, and sometimes the booze one brings along is better than what’s being served up front) might offer some chances for things like “pre-planning trips” aka “scoping out the logistics.”
Iggy
Unfortunately, I haven’t found one yet. I’m. actually trying to see what might can get worked out with a non-profit or religious group, but no joy so far. Good thing is, I have some ins with some people over there and will be making full use of them. 🙂
You would need approval for Mt Athos well in advance . Think your journey would be wonderful for you and hope you get to go
Mt. Athos is already being worked, and am well aware of what it takes. Both our sub-Deacon and Deacon have made multiple trips there, and one of the nuns at my Church wrote a religious tour guide of Greece and knows several of the guides who help people with Mt. Athos. Even better, our new Bishop spent 15 years in high finance before becoming a monk on Mt. Athos for 15 years. Let’s just say there are options and ones that may help me get the most out of all the trip. 🙂