| More than a few times, I've caught | | | | American Express checks, packed a small |
| myself sitting at work day dreaming | | | | backpack and headed to the airport in |
| about dropping everything and just | | | | Los Angles, known as "LAX". |
| jumping on a plane. In October of 2003, | | | | The Dream Comes True |
| I did just that. | | | | I walked into the international wing of |
| Life can grind you down when you get in | | | | LAX and did what every traveler has |
| a rut. In my case, I had a particularly | | | | dreamed of doing. I stared at the flight |
| bad case of the blues in October 2003. | | | | board and just let the various |
| My girlfriend and I had apparently come | | | | destinations soak into my brain. After a |
| to an agreement that there was no need | | | | few minutes, Asia percolated to the top |
| for me to exist on the face of the | | | | of my grey matter and I started |
| earth. My glamorous and exciting | | | | searching for the airlines with flights |
| Internet business had become a bore. All | | | | there. |
| and all, I was in a rut and needed a | | | | After a few misses, I was able to get a |
| change. The travel gods apparently | | | | ticket on a Korean Airlines flight to |
| agreed. | | | | Bangkok. I passed through security, |
| On a Wednesday, I made the final | | | | picked up a guidebook for Asia and |
| decision to sell my business, get what I | | | | headed to my gate. Three hours later, we |
| could for it and hit the road. The next | | | | lifted off the runway and I waived |
| day, I received a call from a man in | | | | goodbye to rut for three months. |
| Chicago what wanted to buy my web sites. | | | | I've disdained heavy planning for my |
| This was particularly interesting since | | | | trips. I prefer a very loose schedule |
| I hadn't actually told anyone the sites | | | | because I want time to live out |
| were for sale. By the end of the day, we | | | | unexpected events. If you ever get the |
| had agreed on a price, signed a contract | | | | chance to chuck everything and go travel |
| and he was wiring the money. | | | | for a few months, just do it. You never |
| First thing Monday morning, my bank | | | | know when you'll get the chance again! |
| verified the wired money had been | | | | Rick Chapo is with Nomad Travel |
| received and credited to my bank | | | | Journals. Writing journals are the |
| account. I picked up a couple of | | | | perfect travel accessories. |