"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."

MARTIN BUBER

It's not long now till I actually do depart, finally, after some four months of preparation. This weekend I fly to Geneva to say goodbye to my Swiss relatives and then its off to Venice for the start of the trip proper! Whilst I am, of course, excited I can't help but feel nervous about where I will go, what I will see and who I will meet. It is scary to think that in only a few days from now I will be outside the luxuries of home and my routine and into the harsh reality of travelling and not really knowing what will happen next or where I will be. But that, for me, is the joy of travelling, exploring the unfamiliar and communicating with new cultures and people.

It's great that the forum is finally online and some of you have taken the opportunity to introduce yourselves as well as offer some useful information to other travellers! Like I said in my e-mail recently this resource is going to work if members submit their ideas for the benefit of other members and I do hope you will share in this opportunity.

Anyway, must get back to that packing . . .