“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.”

The writings of Anthony Bourdain have stayed with me over the years. I’ve included some of my favorites with images from my archives. I know the feeling of his quote above very well and have experienced it many times. While on a private tour of Myanmar in 1998 we were fortunate to experience a large “Shinbyu” or novitiate ceremony at the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Young novitiates-to be are carried on the backs of family members or on small thrones. To mingle with families of ruling generals and families of villagers as the only outsiders on this auspicous day was a transformative experience.

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you. It should change you…you should take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

While in Northern Thailand we were invited to meet this Akha Hill Tribe villager in her home.

“Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of the nationalistic feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.”

A special memory of Mom making breakfast.

“To be treated well in places where you don’t expect to be treated well, to find things in common with people you thought previously you had, very, very little in common with, that can’t be a bad thing.”

Working with one of our former suppliers near Mas, Bali. We still are in contact with our agent on the left.

“To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese, is not a life worth living.”

Marla savors a dish at the Mirazur Restaurant in Menton, France.

“Get up early and go to the local produce markets in Latin America & Asia, those are usually great place to find delicious food stalls serving cheap, authentic and fresh specialties.”

Marla and I road our bikes to this tiny rural village market near Tanggauda, Bali.

“Southeast Asia has a real grip on me. From the very first time I went there, it was a fulfillment of my childhood fantasies of the way travel should be.”

I couldn’t agree more! The photo above is at Ayutthaya, Thailand, a day I will always remember.

“If I am an advocate for anything, it is to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get off the couch, move.”

I borrowed a bike from our hotel in Ubud, Bali, and headed north up the “Ridge Trail.” Coming around a bend I entered the tiny hamlet of Keliki Village and found the street blocked with a ceremony for Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. I love how unexpected events can be so amazing.

“Without experimentation, a willingness to ask question and try new things we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.”

Our guide and driver did some experimentation by traveling a litte known detour on our way to Agra, India. The main road had been blocked for many hours due to an incident by local villagers who murdered the driver of a large truck who earlier hit and killed a young boy. The dirt road had deep ruts and was very difficult to drive. As we entered a tiny village we were surrounded by curious villagers who were fascinated by our arrival. I’ll never forget the experience.

“No one understands and appreciates the American dream of hard work leading to material rewards better than a non-American.”

Wesco Fabrics, our former company, was often like the United Nations. At various times we had great employees from places like Nepal, Korea, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Poland, China, Viet Nam, and Moldova. Miraslav, our quilter, was from Serajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“If I believe in anything, it is doubt. The vast cause of all life’s problems is looking for a simple f***ing answer.”

Yours truly… contemplating.

“Maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know there is is no final resting place of the mind; no moments of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom…is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.”

A snowy sunset this past winter.