I helped a guest today at the deli – I could tell she kind of wanted to share some sort of story, as while I was preparing some sandwich meats for her, she somewhat randomly, yet quietly exclaimed, “Oh it’s so nice to be home!” So, politely I inquired about where she had been. Turns out, just hours prior she had flewn back from Venice, Italy. Holy crap I was so thrilled! I know – I didn’t even go there, but just the thought that there are people everywhere traveling everywhere all the time is really amazing. I am really happy when I get to help these individuals at the deli. It truly gives me a great chance to do both my job efficiently, yet thoughtfully socialize and converse over a topic I find so intruiging. She explained how there are no cars – just gondolas, and that the seven-day duration of their trip concluded with a red-eye departure, yet midday arrival at PDX the day prior due to global time, and finally an entanglement with moderate stress and confusion during the layover in New York. She compelled her delight to be home to comfortable food and a home she loves. And she said, “Travel at a young age… ‘Cause you just don’t get a lot of chances down the road.” What she explained meant a lot to me, and we departed with my giving thanks for her sharing of an inspiring story.

Venice, Dubai, London, Istanbul, New York, San Francisco?

The world awaits…