As I huddled on the cold bathroom floor trying to overcome my latest bout with food poisoning, I decided that I was never leaving the country ever again, or the state, or my bathroom. Being sick has an amazing way of making you feel incredibly vulnerable and tempting you to weep for your mother no matter how old you are. After several hours of reacquainting myself with the toilet, I recovered and decided that I could pick myself up and take the world on once more.
No matter how careful you are, it’s likely that you will get sick somewhere along the way. I’ve been fairly fortunate throughout my travels, but I remember the flu that I caught in Italy and the bronchitis I caught in Ireland. At the time it was bad, but I took medication and I recovered. I was able to get past these experiences and still travel as often as I can afford, but what happens when you can’t stomach the fear?
I had someone tell me the other day that she was never traveling outside of the US again because of the heightened terrorist threat. In many ways she was right. Our world is becoming more dangerous, but I challenged her to push through that fear and instead focus on what she could gain by traveling. Besides, you never know when today could be your last. It’s tempting to think that I have 80 more good years ahead of me and that I can waste a day here and there, but then I’m reminded that when your time is up, it’s up. I would never leave my front door if I focused too much on all of the strange and awful ways people die, but then, you never know when a small plane is going to crash into your house and kill everyone inside.
Therefore, I have decided that I am going to live my life to the fullest with whatever time I have left. Fear is a real part of my life, but I am determined to not let it dictate my actions.
So bring it on Asia, I’m ready for whatever tasty delights you can throw my way! 
Wanderlusting 