It’s time for another calendar check, as each day reveals a exotic destination that I probably haven’t been to see yet. This past week it showed pictures of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. At least, I’ve been to Indiana, but I don’t recall a Camel Fair that seems to be big attraction in Pushkar. The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali was featured on the next day. The closest I’ll come to that in spelling is our trip to Bali next year. I’ve yet to go to South Wales, either, or Hill Country in Sri Lanka for that matter. I have, however, thoroughly explored Texas Hill Country when we lived in Austin, if that counts? All kidding aside, it was actually a good week of having “been there and done that.” We traveled to Thailand earlier this year but did not get up to Chiang Mai. My cousin lives there part of the year and came down to visit us in Phuket. I’ve also been to London and Niagara Falls that are both considered among the  “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” We also landed in Montenegro, a brief stop on our cruise from Venice to Athens. On the other hand, we haven’t yet been to Turkmenistan or Turkey, but plan to have some for Thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble!

The are about only fifty days left on the calendar to further remind me of how few places we’ve actually visited. Many of the “to die for” sites featured are unlikely to make my bucket list anyways. You simply can’t see it all in the short time each of us has on earth. Let alone the cost! We’re lucky to have traveled as much as we have in our lifetimes. Before next year is over, we will have stepped foot on five of the seven continents. Only South America and Antarctica will remain unexplored. Currently, I have no interest whatsoever in visiting Antarctica, but we definitely need to get south of Mexico and at least go to Rio. Maybe after next year’s trip to interior China?

Our next stop is Universal Studios in Orlando. We do have a short getaway in Oregon’s Hill Country before we head south. We’ll have a little wine with our turkey this year, with stops at several vineyards. We’ll then spend Christmas on an airplane, retirement home shop on the Gulf Coast, and pick-up the grand kids for some fun in Orlando to bring in the new year. We decided on two days at Universal Studios with the family, since as Florida residents they are frequently guests at The Magic Kingdom. After they drive back home, my wife and I will spend some welcome time as “just the two of us” at Disney World and the continental flavors of Epcot Center. It’s been awhile since she’s been there, having missed the last couple of visits to Florida. Now that she’s also retired, we can extend our trips. “The Mouse” has missed her!