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This is the last edition of the ‘A world of Inspiration‘ series. For twenty straight weeks, this series has featured inspiring stories from some of the most talented travel writers around. This week’s edition is brought to you by Dee Anne White who is a modern day nomad on Jimmy Choo stilettos! šŸ™‚ Dee Anne’s story is certainly one I can relate to. My Dad was also a ‘King of Wanderlust’ who inspired me in so many ways. I hope you enjoy this heartwarming final edition.

The King of Wanderlust

When Keith asked me to contribute a piece to his ā€œWorld of Inspirationā€ series, about an inspiring person Iā€™d met while travelling, I thought of the many people Iā€™d met both far and wide. There were so many interesting people, and so many possible stories. In the end, I realised I need only look towards home, and to my father, for the person whoā€™s been my inspiration to travel. In the same vein as an article I recently wrote about my grandmother, who inspired both my outlook on enjoying life and LiveTheCharmedLife.com, it seemed only fitting to share a bit about the person who continues to inspire my wanderlust.

My father was born in a very small town called Duplex, Texas. Texans are notorious for believing there couldnā€™t be anywhere better, but he wasnā€™t the norm. He went away to Arizona in the army, and fell in love with the desert. He lived in Japan for business, and embraced the culture. He visits my stepbrother in Venice often, and is learning the language. He has an insatiable appetite for learning about other countries and cultures, and is always looking for the next travel adventure.

Venice at dusk.

My father came into my life when I was four. He adopted me, and took me under his wing. It might not have been the most conventional father/daughter relationship, but he has given me guidance in so many things. He taught me about math, sport, and how to face down my fears. He wasnā€™t one to coddle, but he made me believe I could accomplish anything. He wasnā€™t extremely affectionate, but I was taught that the world was my oyster, and that it was full of adventure and interesting people.

Even now he encourages my love of exploration. When I decided to visit South Africa for the first time, and others were uncertain about my choice, Dad encouraged me to go, and instantly had a contact for me in Cape Town should I need assistance. I wouldnā€™t be the capable woman I am today without his insistence on being independent, and living an exceptional life.

Hike across the Cinque Terre

During his first career, my father travelled often, and he was always one to make the most of a business trip. Rather than sit in a hotel room after meetings, he would go exploring whichever city or country he was in. This helps to explain why his favourite oyster bar is in New Orleans, his favourite ice cream shop is in Michigan, his favourite city is Tokyo, and his favourite travel experience was flying over the Alps.

plane-view-tirol-alps
Plane window views of the Tirol Alps in Austria.

At times he couldnā€™t tell us where he was going on a trip, due to the nature of his business, but when he came home heā€™d have souvenirs and stories to share. I would daydream about the places I would visit when I was grown. I wrote short stories out of my imagination about Paris, London and Russia. My school projects were always on a foreign land, and I was mesmerized by Africa and South America. I even considered going into the diplomatic core, to live a life of people and travel. As I sit here in Rome, having recently embarked on a year of travel, Iā€™m struck by how those dreams must have been lying in wait to come true.

cape town helicopter flight
Panoramic view of Cape Town.

When Dad retired from his chosen field, true to his promise to never completely retire, he began searching for his next career. It was no surprise when he chose the airline industry, to take advantage of the travel benefits. His love of travel and adventure have now become almost legendary. He loves Puerto Rico, believes Austria to be the most beautiful country, has hiked Cinque Terre, had his thumb bitten by a shark on a fishing trip in Mexico, wants to visit Kyrgyzstan next, and is still planning to run with the bulls in Pamplona.

innsbruck-tirol-austria-photo
Innsbruck, Austria

He also has in mind a trip to both circumnavigate the globe, while flying both as far north and as far south as possible. In other words, he has no intention of slowing down, or of letting the adventure end, and this may be the most inspiring thing of all.

About this week’s guest writer
Dee Anne White is a girl adventurer, traveller, aspiring expatriate, and lover of cricket, golf, wine, Jimmy Choos and life. Dee Anne shares her experiences on Live the Charmed Life, a site which “shares the ways I’ve built a life I love, because somehow Iā€™ve become the person others come to with those sorts of questions. Iā€™m the girl many call if they want to plan a trip to London, get the name of a fantastic restaurant in NYC or Las Vegas, pick the perfect bottle of wine, find out the score of the Laker game, throw a memorable backyard party, or get a perspective from behind rose colored glasses.”

10 Responses

  • I wanted to thank you all for your kind comments about the article. It was written last year, while my dad was still working, traveling and planning his next adventure. As you can probably tell by the final few comments, the King of Wanderlust passed away on November 16, and I reran this article as my final farewell to the man that inspired so many. I’m so happy I had the chance to share him with you, and that he was able to read this article and know how much I learned from him.

    God’s speed Dad,
    DeeAnne

  • I had the pleasure of working with Clyde on many occasions. We laughed at some of the things happening around our flight, watched sports and news together while waiting to meet a plane, we talked about traveling a lot. We both loved Italy! We rode home together on many occasions after an evil night of “Mando” (mandatory overtime-usually after a night of storms). I miss my friend Clyde, but I am certain he is still visiting the places in the world that he hadnt seen yet. Nothing stopped Clyde. Goodbye my traveling friend, I miss you!

  • Dee Anne-

    Thanks indeed for sharing your Dad with us! He touched many of us in the airline industry and was a true gem. šŸ˜€

  • What a wonderful father. Thank you for sharing your dad with us. We were truly blessed to have him as a member of our airline family.

  • Hi Keith,
    First of all, thanks for introducing Dee Anne White to us, your readers. I find her website beautiful and inspirational.

    Second of all, what a great dad she has! It made me think of my own dad who is also my travel inspiration, although in a different way. My dad loves to travel, but unlike Dee Anne’s dad who’s been everywhere, mine is actually the opposite. I know that my father had been bitten by the travel bug also, only, he didn’t travel much. Why? Because he would rather I go. He would sacrifice his own vacation so I could have as many as he could afford to send me.

    Here’s to all the wonderful dads out there. I’m sure we all know one šŸ™‚

    -Jen

  • My dad was also the catalyst for my wanderlust. When I was so small I could fly free, he let me go on business trips with him. I would ride on his briefcase in the airport. Years later, he is still one of my favorite travel companions.

    Thanks for sharing your story Dee Anne.

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