I received this challenge from Johanna Bradley, of http://restlessjo.wordpress.com a few days ago, and it made me think…a lot;(Thanks Jo, LOL) it also made me realize I need to get going on my bucket list pronto! Therefore, if there are any travel companies out there listening, I am letting you know now–I am available for travel assignments. LOL.
A: Age at which you went on your first trip abroad:
Nineteen, when I left Panama for the very first time–went to Brooklyn, New York, on a 6-month visit, yeah!
B: Best foreign beer you have had and where:
I am not much of a beer drinker, but I prefer light beers–Heineken, or when I travel to Miami, Cerveza Panama.
C: Cuisine:
Give me some Latin or Caribbean food any day of the week, (Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, etc.) closely followed by Indian and Mediterranean. I, however, am known for trying all kinds of foods at least once.
D: Destinations, favorite, least favorite, and why:

I love big cities New York, Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta where I once lived and still have family are favorites. I also love London and Paris, and Panama of course, even though it is not a big city—it is where I come from. I do not have a least favorite destination…yet.
E: Event you experienced abroad that made you say, “Wow!”
There are many, but the first time I saw a skyscraper in New York City, that image remains etched on my mind. I was nineteen years old and it was the first time I’d been away from my parents’ watchful eyes, I will never forget it.
F: Favorite mode of transportation:
Airplanes, I want to get there fast!
G: Greatest feeling while travelling:
Anticipation, I cannot wait to get where I am going, let the fun begin.
H: Hottest place you have travelled to, where?
Florida, in July and still we went ahead and moved here, LOL
I: Incredible service you have experienced and why:
Pampering received during a 7-day cruise to Bermuda, because they catered to my every whim and I loved it!
J: Journey that took the longest:
My sister and I, took a road trip from New York to Florida, twice; just for the fun of it and with our young children in tow. I would never do that one again!
K: Keepsake from your travels:
I bought two handbags in Paris; and a few Pashmina scarves in London. I usually shop for things that are practical and wearable, not too big on keepsakes.
L: Letdown sight, where and why:
I am sure there are some, but I just cannot remember them.
M: Moment when you fell in love with travel:
The first time I got on a plane, from Panama to New York. That was it!
N: Nicest hotel you have stayed at while traveling:
We travel as cheaply as possible. However, any Marriott usually does the trick.
O: Obsession: what are you obsessed with taking photos of when you travel:
Boats, beaches, sunsets, old churches, museums, and gardens usually get my attention as well as unusual sights. Architectural structures that are unique and beautiful.
P: Passport stamps, how many and from where:
Very few in the last few years–London, Paris, Bermuda and Panama; I better get going on that bucket list!
Q: Quirkiest attraction you have visited and where:
Orlando’s only upside-down attraction, WonderWorks, an amusement park for the mind featuring over one hundred interactive exhibits for people of all ages. I had the weirdest experience upon entering the exhibit building, thought it was moving–not. LOL. That was a very funny experience.
R: Recommended sight, event or experience:
A trip to Paris, which includes a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum and a cruise on the River Seine.
S: Splurge; something you have no problem forking out money for when travelling:
I do not mind splurging for a room with a view, and dinner at a fancy restaurant now and then.
T: Touristy thing you have done:
When I arrived in New York for the first time, I made sure to tour all the big attractions–Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and all the museums I could get into; that was a lot of fun. Who knew I would be living there for the next twenty years and would get to visit those sites over and over every time friends and family would come to visit. LOL
U: Unforgettable travel memory:
Roundtrip London to Paris on the Chunnel, which included visits to many, must see sites and some off the beaten path places.
V: Visas, how many and for where:
I can only wish, but so far none.
W: Wine, best glass of wine had while travelling, where:
The best wine I have ever drank was had in Paris, at a friend’s home.
X: eXcellent view and from where:

Sunsets on the beach, in Florida
Y: Years spent travelling:
More than I can remember, but mostly within the states. Seriously, I have to get that bucket list thing going. LOL
Z: Zealous sports fans and where:
New York Yankees fans; don’t even mention the Mets to them.
Well, this has been a fun exercise (but it made me think too much) so now I pass it on to some of my fellow bloggers. Let us see, who is next?
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Hi Marcia! Thought I was already following you- no wonder I hadn’t seen your A-Z- sorry! The road trip sounds a nightmare. Paris- must go back!
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Hi Jo, I am so ready to go back to Paris, but not sure when it will happen. For now, we have set sights on a visdit to Costa Rica this summer; never been there, looking forward to this trip.
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I’ve heard my friends saying about that ‘wow’ thing too the first time they’ve stepped in New York. I need to experience that myself one day!
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You should, NYC is a vibrant and unique place, still one of my favorites places, so much to see and do. Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. Hope you’ll come back.
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Hi Marcia! I really enjoy your blog and I’ve given you the ABC award. Congratulations! Here’s the link: http://megtraveling.com/2012/01/19/abc-award/
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Great concept! Awesome post!
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Gracias Hook!
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Oh wow – Wonderworks looks amazing! I’ve only been to Orlando twice, but didn’t have a great time when I went (we focused on seeing Disney, Universal, etc.). I would have loved this – I know it!
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WonderWorks is a really fun place to visit. My first time in Orlando (many years ago) was a Disney vacation with the kids and it was summer, the heat made it so unbearable I stayed away from Disney for years. These days I visit frequently but always look for other things to do beside Disney. That’s how I discovered WonderWorks.
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This was so intersting! You’re such a travel bug! I love it!! You were 19. I was 18. So impressionable at that age. It changes your entire life. BEST time to start.
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Hi Jennifer,
I have an ongoing wish to travel the world and Greece, Rome, Australia are at the top of my bucket list along with many other countries. I love old world architecture and history… ahhh…one day. One could only dream, right?
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That’s right. Dream away. You sound so much like my husband! 🙂
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my company never give me any travel assignments. 😦 that upside down attraction looks cool..
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It never hurts to ask, right? LOL. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I enjoyed reading your posts. That’s the WonderWorks building in Orlando. It kind of sets the stage for what you’ll find inside.
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Nice list – I like the upside down house!
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Thanks, that is the WonderWorks building in Orlando.
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Marcia,
stumbled upon this blog via LinkedIn. Nice Job. A very unique blog if I may say so. Especially enjoyed your comments about Paris. A great city. Will explore the rest of your site.
Again, nicely and uniquely done.
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Hi Joe, Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to post a comment. I appreciate your words, I dropped by your blog and left a comment as well. Will stop by again.
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Wonder Works looks diabolical!
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Not quite, they have a very realistic hurricane set up (at least they did when I was there last year) that had me thinking the floor was really moving below me, it wasn’t (this was a you entered the attraction). My daughters were LOL the whole time, still do when we talk about that trip.
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What a novel idea! A-Z. Now, you’ve got me thinking. I might have to try this. Over 20 years following my hubby around with the military should produce some interesting answers.
By the way..love your new blog theme (liked the last one, too). 😉
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Thanks, I enjoyed doing it although I had to think about it for a day or two before I tackled it. You should go for it, am sure there a lots of stories to tell from those 20 years in the military.
BTW I am still using the same theme (Chateau) it has two options–light or dark background, I tried dark liked how the pictures looked and voila made the switch. Learning how to tweak WP according to what I want to accomplish, not easy but fun.
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