Before we married, Rick and I discovered the things that were most important to us.  Spiritual beliefs, we both wanted children, commitment to family, and a desire to travel.  I have frequently joked over the years that I didn’t “read the fine print” on the last one, travel. My idea of travel is to go as far away from my American culture as possible.  My husband’s idea is the US, Canada and England, “only if we can find a TGI Fridays restaurant there.” Yikes.

So my preferred trips have been mostly associated with work and have been without my husband or our son. So it was with disbelief that for my birthday earlier this year, Rick gave me “Turn Right at Machu Picchu” by Mark Adams.  I had declared last fall I was going to take this trip in 2014, hoped he’s join me, but, if not, I was going anyway.  I’d  even had my photo taken at the National Geographic Headquarters in D.C. with Machu Picchu photoshopped behind my portrait to it looks at if I was standing at the lost city in the clouds.

I put this photo on the refrigerator and look at it daily.

Rick gave me a book and a Nat Geo video on “Mac P” and we immediately sat together to watch it.  I was mesmerized and more committed to this trip.  At the end of the video, however, my husband simply said, “Let’s go.  That looks interesting.”

Really?! Just like that, my Marriott-loving, English speaking only, hamburger eating husband of more than twenty years changed.  I don’t know whether it was more a renewed dedication to our marriage or a true desire to “take a journey,” but I don’t care.  We’ve agreed on an (interesting) trip.

Now, when…