I have been fortunate enough, in my first 31 years, to have traveled extensively throughout the world. My Dad has been an airline pilot since I was 4; he has flown for National Airlines, Pan American Airlines, and Delta Airlines since leaving the Navy in 1977. Through my Dad flying for the airlines my family has been afforded with free (or nearly free) air travel for most of our lives. Growing up if a trip was to be longer than three hours by car we usually flew.
As you can see from the links provided above for some selected destinations, I did not travel abroad until I was a little older. It has been a wonderful experience to visit some many different places. Admittedly, I was too young on some of my travels to fully appreciate the culture, architecutre, and overall experience. For some of these destinations I am hoping to return one day in the future and experience it all over again.
I have been asked in the past what languages I speak. I am sad to say that I am not bilingual. The only language I can speak is English. I have found it difficult, at times, to converse in some of the places that I have been. However, I have never found myself in a situation where knowing on English was more than an inconvenience. I have attempted, while in college, to learn German, and during High School, Spanish, but I never had the drive to truly learn he language. My sister, on the other hand, is fluent in both Spanish and German; it helps that she spends half the year in Spain.
Having access to such affordable airfare has made going overseas much easier. That is not to say, however, that the trips are always easy. To fly at these great rates I have to fly standby. Therefore, if the flight is full I do not get on, no matter how long I have been waiting to leave. I have found myself in the airport for 8-10 hours waiting for a flight to leave that I can get on. There is a good side as well, with Delta if First/Business Class is available then I get a seat there.
My travels have taken me to three of the seven continents, and I hope to make it to at least three more (Austrailia, South America, and Africa). I would love to make it to Antartica, but that may be a little more difficult since there are not a lot of places to visit there.
Now if I could just find someone special to share these great experiences with me.