Caution Wet Floor

Paco @ the Colosseum in Rome, Italy - December 15th, 2008

For as long as I can remember I have been telling myself two things; one I want to travel in Europe and two I would like to finish this book I started oh so long ago. Well I have began the travel part, a 5 1/2 month sojourn to Europe that I just got back from.  The idea with taking that plunge is that hopefully it will encourage me to finish the book part or maybe let it go finally and move on to writing something else. Along the way I have met many great and interesting people who have both been an influence on who I am today and who I can be if I just believe in myself. It is in the spirit of this and them that I attempt this challenge of writing a blog.

I was reading an article by a “friend” of mine Chris Guillebeau as I was trying to figure out what to write. Although we have never met, we have corresponded and his blog The Art of Nonconformity was really one of the catalysts to my taking my trip to Europe. It was while I was on the fence, that I began searching for others like me. Others that had been afraid to take the plunge and then decided what the hell. It was also in this vein that I began paying more attention to my StumbleUpon Page. I added more people and started focusing on people with travel websites. Sites like Wanderlust and Lipstick, Soultravelers3, AlmostFearless and Nomadic Matt showed me that this was something I could indeed do even if it was for a short period of time. More importantly it gave me that swift kick in the pants which allowed me to take that chance. I am glad I found them and I am glad I was able to do the trip. The experiences of those few short months have definitely had a profound impact on my life. Thanks Guys and now I hope to inspire others to do the same.

As for the rest of people who along the way in my life have had a major impact, THANK YOU THANK YOU…you truly are my inspiration.

SOMETHINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME:

Names: Frank, Francisco, Paco, deMar, Serpico, the Professor from Massachusetts
Home base: Miami, FL
Currently in: Miami
Favorite book: Atlas Shrugged, Lord of the Rings
Favorite movie: Casablanca
Travel tip: Be open to anything, even if it scares you. Life is too short and you never know what is going to happen tomorrow.
Occupation: Writer, Traveler, Historian
Favorite Camera: Sony Cybershot w170, my new one with zoom
Favorite Subjects: History, Politics, Philosophy
Favorite Journal: Various ones
Favorite Places to Visit: Curaçao, Sedona AZ, Santa Barbara CA, Edisto Island SC, Kauai Hawaii, Krakow Poland, Budapest Hungary, Oxford UK, Olomouc Czech Republic, Anywhere in Tuscany Italy, Cinque Terra Italy, The Amalfi Coast Italy, and Rome Italy

Favorite Quotes:

Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away. - Hitch

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  - Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift and that is why it is called the present - Master Oogway in Kung Fu Panda