Boldly Go Solo

"Travel can make you a poet. Travel can make you spiritual."

This is how Rick Steves, the traveler and guidebook writer, starts a story in the Kansas City Star Sunday.

"But without capturing your thoughts on paper, the lessons of travel are like shooting stars you just missed."

Steves started taking notes during his travels even before knew he was going to pursue travel writing. Now, and for the rest of his life, he can revisit places he's been just by picking up a notebook.

For me, keeping a travel journal, as I've done on most trips since I was 19, helps focus my thoughts about what I'm seeing. And, like it does for Steves, the notes capture memories and details for all time. What was the name of that restaurant I ate in? And what part of town was it in? Ah, yes, here it is, in my notes. Huh! It was in Iceland, not Greece. How about that…

As a solo traveler, the notebook also provides company, in a way, and a pleasant activity, while I'm sitting at dinner in a restaurant. Or while I'm relaxing or people watching in a park.

And, funny enough, the notebook often captures others' interest. What is she writing? Is she taking notes on what I'm doing? Is she a restaurant critic? Let them wonder. It's nice to feel intriguing sometimes…

Photo: Ellen Perlman. Random sheep. Northern Ireland.