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NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.

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ITALY, Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre (5 villages)

October 1, 2012

6 hr train ride fromVenice was nice and I napped a little as I usually do on trains. There was a drizzle when I arrived so a little disappointed. Was told the trail was closed so a little more disappointed. But checked into the dorm at the hostel and met a nice Japanese girl who was traveling for 1 years around the world. So we talked for a while about travel and things got better. Went to grab a pizza, free internet and wine at the restaurant and things got a lot better. Really a beautiful , special place but is so pricey now. They can't all stay hidden gems forever. I remember when I read about this place before my 2006 trip in Rick Steves' guide book. He said he almost hesitated even mentioning it because he knew the outcome of many travelers finding this.














ITALY, Riomaggiore and Cinque Terre (Boat Ride)

October 1 and 2nd , 2012

Had plans on spending two nights in Riomaggiore and walking the Cinque Terre (5 villages) National Park path which follows the coastline above the 5 villages and is a very beautiful 6 hr walk. The path leads from Riomaggiore to Maranola to Corniglia to Vernazza and ends up in Monterosso. In 2006 I walked the trail but ended at Vernazza. I was told on my arrival that the trails were closed due to a land slide. Several others told me the same including a lady in the tourist office. So I canceled one night and just enjoyed the scenery and made plans to take the boat ride the next day from Vernazza to Riomaggiore to truly appreciate the beauty of the villages from the sea.  Unfortunately I found out as I was leaving Cinque Terre that only the easier coastal path had been closed. Travel has a way of changing plans with or without your approval sometimes.




















ITALY, Venice

September 30, 2012

Crazy couple of days which included spending all night and getting no sleep in Dublin Airport. Arrived in Venice at 11 am. I took the airport bus to the Mestre Train Station which is very close to my hostel. The hostel was nice and only a 10 minute train ride to the center of Venice. I immediately left the hostel to take advantage of the beautiful weather. I could easily have taken the water taxi to St. Marks Square but if you know me I walked the long way around, enjoyed the scenery and saved some coin. lol

4 hours of seeing the sights and getting seriously lost, like always and like everyone else I had enough and went back to the hostel for a good nights sleep and early morning (9 am) train to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre. Can not get over how many tourists were there at end of September. It was packed. 70 degree weather but can not imagine more people and 90 degree weather.















Gelato (Italian ice cream)



Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge


Gelato, could not decide which flavor.



Glass blown balloons.














Bridge of Sighs