Mormon//Traveler -- What does that even mean?

What's the big deal, you ask? So you're a Mormon. So you travel. What does that even mean?

Well.

More often than not I meet people in my travels who are unfamiliar with Mormonism/AKA The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

It always comes up when I travel, the religion topic. Without fail. Usually within the first few hours of a trip. Here's why:

I don't drink. I mean EVER. Never have.

Imagine how this might absolutely gut people in Italy:

"YOU DON'T DRINK? NO VINO? CHE... ???"

Si. No Vino, grazie signore.

Perche? (Why?)... Because it's against my personal and religious beliefs. In Italy, usually this settles it, because as enamored of wine as the Italians are, they are also a Catholic nation. Also, Muslims countries and conservative countries are very respectful (even appreciative) of non-drinking tourists.

But other peoples aren't always as easily dissuaded. The Dutch and Scottish men I've refused drinks from were absolutely baffled. And there have been some very funny conversations with them:

Drunk Dutch Guy: Why won't you sleep with me?
Me: It's against my religion, I'm Mormon.
Drunk Dutch Guy: You're a Mermaid?
Me: Ha. Mormon. We believe sex is for Marriage.
Drunk Dutch Guy: Okay my little Merrrrmaid (slurs), let's get married.

which brings me to:
I don't sleep around. Sex is for marriage. 'Nuf said.
 

I don't party. Not my style. I used to hang out in the bars with friends when I was younger, watching said friends get drunk... it was amusing for a while. It's not anymore.


Well then, you might ask, what's left? What's the appeal of international travel?

If you have to ask that, I would suggest that maybe you aren't doing enough in your travels. Maybe.

Because as I see it, I've got EVERYTHING ELSE. The entire world. It's fascinating, intoxicating if you will. I can learn about the ancient Romans and Greeks, see three-thousand year old ruins, enjoy the bluest water in the world and the whitest, or pinkest, or blackest or greenest sand. There are a million little discoveries every day while you're traveling. Some about the world. Some about yourself.

Because I don't do the things I don't do, I know that, though it might be a great story, I won't wake up in Mexico with a tattoo I don't want and a hangover to kill my day. (Mind you I do have friends who list that very thing as a life goal.)


And now for the list of things I do do (hehe... Chandler Bing moment. You know what I mean.)


I go to Church. On Sundays. And Institute (like Bible Study) on Wednesdays. Of course, when I travel this is all subject to availability.

I read the scriptures. Daily. Well, I won't lie, sometimes I forget. But mostly daily. And that includes while I'm on the road.

I believe in Christ. Always. And I try to act with love, equality and honesty towards everyone I interact with. I am not perfect. I'm still working on these things.

--

In my travels I meet lovely people. We do outrageously fun things like hiking around Petra, snorkeling in the Red Sea, Kayaking around St. Maarten, Quad Biking in Aruba, Horse Riding in Puerto Rico and touring six hundred year old ships in Stockholm. And then sometimes we part ways - they head off to bars and I go and watch the moon rise over the local beach, or write or edit my photos, or possibly just sleep.

So maybe my particular travel style/lifestyle/belief system isn't for you. That's fine. But that's no reason we can't meet up in Barbados for a fruity beverage (non alcoholic on my part, of course), or sail around the Greek Isles on a 50-foot sailboat together.

Let's enjoy the amazing sights the world has to offer.