Good Night, and Good Luck
Rockin' in the USA.
Follow our 2007 Dream Trip Contest winner through South America and Antarctica. And don't forget to enter our 2008 Dream Trip Contest. The prize? A $25,000 trip (designed by Wendy) to the destination(s) of your dreams.
This is it.
I check out of La Floresta and pay cash, but I almost had to use my credit card...scary. There is no time for last-minute strolls or anything like that. The same motorcycle-hitting cabbie picks me up and takes me to the airport, which is outside of Caracas and right on the sea. At one point we are flying down the highway surrounded by the poor shantytowns on the outskirts of Caracas and then we enter a tunnel. When we exit, we are basically surrounded by green hills and seem to be in the country. Very strange.
My flight to Miami is a little delayed, but eventually I'm in the air and on my way back to the States. At this point I usually start to think of all the things I should have done and how short the trip felt. But this time I was OK.
I think the trip was a huge success, even though I may have crammed too much in there. My mind floods once again with a fast-motion visual recap of the trip, interrupted only for a few minutes while I consume some horrible snack provided by the airline, making a note of it's overall appearance so I never repeat the mistake of eating it.
The plane lands in Miami. Customs goes smoothly. In the air to Philly, the food's a little better. Then we're descending, and early evening views of my hometown do not disappoint. It's good to be home, (but a few more months hanging out down in South America sounds good, too).
The dream trip was fantastic, and surprisingly, there were not too many glitches. As usual, time flew, and I am still flying high when we land in Philly. What a trip! Arlene picks me up; I'm really home.
The essay I wrote that won this prize mentioned the 14th century origins of the word 'travel' and how it came from words meaning 'to torture' and 'to labor.' Working with the cool people at Conde Nast Traveler was exactly the opposite, and I would like to thank Wendy, Brook, Tom, and everybody else who made this dream a reality. I truly had a wonderful time, and I encourage everybody to give it a whirl and enter the 2008 Dream Trip Contest. I noticed that this year's is worth $5000 more.
Good luck, and thanks for checking out this blog. Eventually, photos of the trip will be at 35slide.com.
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Hey Gene,
Thanks for being such an enthusiastic Dream Trip winner and for doing such an awesome job with the blogging! I'm glad you got the trip you wanted, and one of these days I'll be eager to hear what advice you might have for our next Dream Trip winner.
Welcome home,
Wendy
Posted by: WendyPerrin | March 17, 2008 at 02:06 PM
To Wendy & Brooke: Thank you for such an amazing trip. Antarctica was by far the best traveling I have ever done. Thank you for helping us make the dream come true. Gene: "May the road rise up to meet you and the wind be always at your back." Thank you for taking me along and opening my eyes to new adventures. Arlene
Posted by: weengene95 | March 17, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Gene-
Mark and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog... you are an amazing photographer and your postings were very entertaining! We continue to learn from you through all your travels... so glad you had a great trip! Mark and Erin Colantonio
Posted by: ecolanto | March 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Gene: It was a pleasure reading your entertaining travelogue, and also viewing the pictures that were included. Thanks for the sharing your dream trip with us.
Theresa Feldman
Posted by: tfvillas | March 18, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Hey Gene,
Enjoyed reading your accounts. Gutted I can't enter the competition for 2008 (outside the borders).
Posted by: AzraelenFrance | March 19, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Dear Gene: I am very happy to hear that you returned to the States in one piece and that you had such a fabulous, varied experience in South America. I enjoyed meeting you and Arlene in Buenos Aires and had a fantastic time at our wine tasting. I look forward to seeing all of your pictures! My best to you and Arlene from everyone at Limitless Argentina. Un abrazo, Vanessa Guibert Heitner
Posted by: VanessaGuibert | March 19, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Gene congratulations on winning the contest. Your essay was exceptionally well written and interesting. I enjoyed reading all your blogs. You have a gift with words, a unique style, and your photos make me want to be there.
Posted by: fearofflying | March 20, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Gene,
You are an exceptionally talented artist - and not just your photography, but your story telling is really quite good. very witty. It was a pleasure reading your blog, and seeing the pix. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Father of CANE.
C A N E
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a s a m
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a i a n
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Posted by: FatherofCANE | March 31, 2008 at 09:35 AM