July 14, 2001

Dear Mom:

...For years I have satisfied my wanderlust itch – finding innovative ways to see new places. Each time I travel someplace new, I always ponder if it’s a place that’s calling me – a place where I truly belong.

I still have my oversized map hanging with pins marking the places I have gone. The North American continent is peppered with pins all over the U.S., and into a bit of Canada and Mexico as well. From Santa Fe to Nantucket to Boston to San Francisco to Salt Lake – there is always something inviting me back for another visit. In the last few years, I have often found myself traveling to places where friends have scattered: Sean in Seattle; Christine in Portland; Jay in Vancouver; Camille in Los Angeles; Beth’s folks in Phoenix; Jen and Burt in Denver; Conor in Madison; Julie R. in Ann Arbor; Dad, Heather, Jen, and Cindy in Indiana; ‘Harley’ in Milwaukee; Julie G. and Mike in NYC; Denise and former co-workers in New Jersey; and hopefully soon….Maryclaire in Atlanta. Though I wish these dear people lived close by, it is still wonderful to play in their worlds even if just for a short while.

It may be some time before I go abroad again. In the meantime, there is a magical wealth of cultural diversity right here in the states, ready to be appreciated...

Love, Anne