Cosmopolitan ~ minus the martini

I have a passport with no stamps. I have dollar bills that have never endured the nerve-wrecking protocols of currency exchange. However, I am eagerly awaiting the worn-pages and outdated picture of a passport and the kick in the ass of the dollar once I hit the Euro-world. Yes, I am turning my frequent flyer miles across oceans and several time zones. In the next few years, I will have made a home away from home in London, Paris, Italy, Greece, Africa, Argentina, Tokyo...and wherever else my little blue book can take me!

My question is, beyond the places that are obvious tourist attractions...where are great places to visit that we might not get a AAA discount or a hotel staff speaking the English language? Well, I've been watching the Travel Channel rather frequently and discovered some interesting places.

I'm a water bug! I love any place that is adjacent to a beautiful body of water. It helps that I love to swim and it's even more of a plus if I can vacation with others who love to get wet. So, I'm definitely inticed by the array of gorgeous sandy beaches in the Caribbean. Whether it's St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos or Mexico, I'm game for seaside amenities! According to the Travel channel, the #1 Caribbean destination is Hotel Maroma in Maroma, Mexico. Nestled in the heart of the Mayan Riviera and located 30 miles south of Cancun, this place boasts of its handmade architecture and Mayan influence.

Back to the Motherland! I've always said that I'll make the trip back to Africa to pay homage to my ancestors. Of course there's the obvious places I'll touch the soil/sand of: Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt, but I've heard that Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa seals the deal for those visiting.

Are there any other beautiful, exotic places you've visited and refer others to? If you know of any others, please shoot me a line, or better yet, an air ticket!

Thinking about LEAVING this place...

I'm thinking of moving to Europe. London is my first pick...my family has no idea and would cringe at the thought of me relocating across the big river, with my six year old brat in tow...but hey, (singing like Cyndi Lauper) "Girls just want to have fun!".

Italy is up next. Which city? Well, why not pick the one I named my daughter after...Milan. But then I hear it's not too spiffy on the eyes. Very trashy and unkept. That sounds like a few cities I frequent often in the states...: ) Then Rome comes to mind, and Venice. Florence and that Tuscany appeal....I'd surely turn into a Wino! Of course, with moving to Italy, I'd have to brush up on my Italiano. Buon giorno. Mi chiamo...Dove il luogo di pizza è? LOL! That would be my daughter's favorite question to ask!

I'd love to live in Paris. But then, once again I'd have to take French. I took that in high school and only remember the typical basic phrases and questions...how to curse someone out and ask for oral sex. Don't ask me how I found the latter out?

I also heard that Ireland is kinda dope, too. Maybe Dublin would be my city of choice. I guess if I don't like beer now, I'll have to love it there!

Why do I want to live abroad? Because I love diversity and I love to travel. That's the one thing that my family engrafted into my lifestyle as a child. Now as an adult, I want to take it beyond the red-white-and-blue, and into another part of the world that's another definition of beautiful and exciting.