travelenvelope: 12

See the World for Free

The idea here is to TRAVEL THE WORLD regardless of time or budget. It dawned on me one day that even if I had unlimited time and money (which I definitley do not), I still couldn't see everything in the world that I'd like to see--I'm simply not going to live long enough to do it.

But I had a bit of brain wave and soon after the travel envelope was born. This is an actual physical envelope. I typed the name of every country in the world, plus every state in the US on little slips of paper which I then put into the envelope. In the beginning we (myself, my husband, Dave and daugher Catherine) would draw out a slip at random at the beginning of the month and that's where we would go---at least in our minds. We grab some books about the country from the library and put them in our bathroom to look at. We also check out some videos about the country if any. We check it out on googleearth, listen to the music, try the food, maybe even attempt to learn a dance or celebrate a festival.

After the first two years we discovered that even virtual traveling can be tiring, so we travel now whenever I happen to be in the mood.

It's great fun. I especially love it when people I meet have been to the place I'm "visiting" in real life, or get excited and have some virtual adventures of their own. I hope that anyone who comes across this blog will feel welcome to come with us on the trip!

You have a standing reservation to see it all!

Aug 3, 2012

221 B Baker Street

One of the first things I want to see is 221 B Baker Street.

I'm not even sure if this address actually existed when Conan Doyle wrote his stories, but who cares? It's a cool plaque. Plus there is the Sherlock Holmes Museum. The Museum is tight lipped about what one will actually see there, but the gift shop--looks terrific. I especially like this syringe pen

and the bear

Holmes wouldn't have been caught dead with either item.

Aug 1, 2012

2012 Olympics

Back to England and this time only England. I confess this isn't a random choice. The 2012 Oympics are happening right now in London, Dave is going to the REAL London in a week and Catherine is at Disney where she can at least go to to EPCOT'S version of London, and me? I'm stuck here in Ogden, but I'm going to virtually travel with all my might.

We've been having a ball watching the Olympics. As always, for me the most fun are the gymnastics, made extra good this year by the USA women winning the team gold medal.

Also fun to watch has been swimming. Last night Michael Phelps won a medal and that made him the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Jul 30, 2012

Seychelles Olympics

It's the 2012 Summer Olympics and the travelenvelope was vindicated during the parade of nations. It was fun to see the athletes from all the places I've been virtually.

This time around Seychelles sent six athletes. Which is good for me to see, because I don't actually picture people living in Seychelles. Obviously they do!The athletes are:

Andrique Allisop--Boxing

Dominic Dugasse--Judo

Jean-Yves Esparon--Athletics

Aurelie Fanchette--Swimming

Lissa Labiche--Athletics

Shane Mangroo--Swimming

I'll post any medals won. Of interest to me is the "Athletics" category. It seems to basically mean track and field. Chalk that up to one more thing I don't know about sports.

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