March 17, 2009

Shangri-La....Is there such a place.... Join in our journey to see if it exists. The reason I travel is to experience the differences of other lives and cultures vs my own life and the culture which I was brought up in. Is their life better? Not materialisticly speaking, but the real things in life that matter. Happiness. Love. Family. Does a Shangri La really exist somewhere out there? Or am I actually already living in it? Do I drive on the "Road to Shangri La" before pulling into my driveway or is it somewhere on the other side of the world. In the past 40 or so years of traveling, I have attempted to find this utopia, this permanently happy land. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangri-La. So far, my travels have taken me to 5 of the 7 continents. (Australia and Antartica are on my "to-do" list.) Is this utopia located in my parents homeland of Hungary. I find it hard to believe that it would be there. After 20 some visits there, and actually living there for about 5 years myself, I realize not in a million years would it be there. (However this is where my heart is drawn, sort of like going home.) Is it in the land of my parents ancestors? My dad is of German decent. The Bavaria area is where his family emigrated to Hungary from back in the 1800's. It could be close to there. The peace and tranquility which I experienced in Bavaria was amazing, the calmness, and the friendliness people is unique to Europe. (Below my dad's parents, on their wedding day Nov 6, 1926) Could it be closer to my mothers descendents, the Jasz tribe? Originating from the Iran/Persia area, these nomads moved into Hungary around 1200's. Along the way mixing with many notorious people, the Magyars, the Tatars, the Huns, most famous of those being Atilla the Hun, and also Genghis Khan. (I guess that explains my temper ;>) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jassic_people After the "draw" I feel in my heart towards Hungary, the next draw I feel is actually to Mongolia. It must that Genghis Khan thing. (I think I might be getting warmer to my utopia.) The warmth, calmness, happiness but most of all the strength of the people who struggle so hard to survive appeals to me. Could there actually be some lineage connection? Why is it that every time I see a picture of the Mongol people, they are smiling and happy? How could people who live in such harsh conditions, have so few belongings be so happy? Perhaps they know the secret? Is there a secret? Is Shangri La just living your life to the fullest? Leaving the earth a better place than you found it? Making a child smile? Helping someone in need? Join us, as we explore this amazing road of adventure. I realize that is a journey that will not be taken all at once, (unfortunately) it will take many legs and many years to complete our journey. Whether the road will lead us Shangri La is hard to say, perhaps that is all in the eye of the beholder. The first step of our journey will begin in London in just a few weeks. Below are my mom and dad. The first is their wedding picture, October 4, 1958. The second, their 50th Anniversary in Budapest October 2, 2008... Thanks for all the inspiration... Love you both