Things To Do Before I Die

I have never actually sat down to write my “to do” list, that is the things I want to do and see before I die.  But from time to time, things have crossed my mind.

1- Visit the Herr’s Potato Chip Factory.  It’s really stupid that I haven’t done that.  It’s not far from my hometown and it is my favorite food in the whole world.  The founder recently passed away.  Perhaps that’s the push I need to do it on my next trip back to the States, before it’s sold or some other nonsense.

2- Visit a Michelob factory.  Aaaaah, my favorite beer.  At least it was before they changed the name to “Lager” and changed the bottle.  But that’s a story for another day. I actually did get to visit the factory many years ago on a trip to Virginia.

3- Visit Asia.  Technically, I am living in Asia.  But I want to see the Far East, as opposed to the Near East.  China, Japan, anywhere really.

4- Visit Africa.  I have always wanted to see Africa.  And although I do want to go to places like Morocco and Tunisia, I would much rather visit my mother’s neighbors’ homeland of Eritrea.  That’s Africa to me!  I am hoping to tag along on one of their visits home.  I do have an opportunity to see Cape Town this December.  If all goes right (if I can come up with the cash), I will be attending my nephew’s wedding!

5- Live in a foreign land.  Wow!  That seems like a biggie – and I am already doing it.  I must say though, I would love to add living in my other homeland in Germany to the list.  Or at least own a house there.  I also wouldn’t mind a few years in some place like Italy.  Speaking of living in other places, I truly regret not having lived in New York City.  I just don’t see myself earning enough cash to ever do that now.

6- Visit Argentina.  What can I say?  I am a fan of Evita ever since I saw the broadway show.  Call her a hooker if you will.  She got what she wanted and did a lot of good for that country!

6- Pose for Andrew Wyeth.  It’s too late for that dream.  I did have the opportunity to meet him a few times and once was invited to his home.  During that visit, he asked several times if I would sit for him.  I said yes, Yes, YES!  But that was the end of it.  It never happened.  I suppose I should have said, “I’m free now!”

7- Learn to swim.  I don’t even want to get into that one.  It’s just stupid and embarrassing that I can’t swim.

8- Paraglide.  Hmmmm.  I have a huge fear of falling.  I used to think it was a fear of heights, but no, it’s falling.  I’m fine in an airplane, but watch me drive over the top deck of the Girard Point Bridge and you will see what I mean.  But for some strange reason, I have always wanted to paraglide as if I have no fear at all.  Or perhaps, it’s just the thing to get me over that fear.

I am proud to announce that this weekend, I plan to go paragliding!  Of course, you will have to check back to see if I follow through with this plan.  My husband and I will be doing a weekend of adventures, hosted by Bougainville Travel located in Kaş, west of Antalya on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

Also on the lineup is sea kayaking. (Yes, I said I don’t swim.  But that didn’t stop me from rowing crew in college.)  We will also be trekking, snorkeling, and hopefully more.  Bougainville also offers diving, canyoning, mountain biking, boat tours and more!  Please check back next week to see how it went.  Actually, I plan to do a series of posts on Terry & Baris’ Big Weekend Adventure!  So check back often!