Balcony Moments

People travel for different reasons. Many people travel to get away from their problems at home (well, that’s what one of my grandmothers says, the one who never goes anywhere. Ever). Others travel to explore their minds as they explore new cultures and see places many people only dream about. For me, it’s all about the balcony moments.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love to get outside of my hotel and see the destinatiosn and experience the attractions, food, and personalities that make them all unique. However, my favorite part of travel, and probably the main reason I travel, is to sit outside in the early morning before most of the world awakens, sip some coffee, and think about life.

I’ve been on some amazing balconies, in places I could only read about in books when I was growing up. This year, I’m spending my birthday morning on a balcony at Turquoise Place on Alabama’s Gulf Coast to show support for a tourist destination affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. My mom traveled with me, and I’m waiting on some other traveling mamas to join me later in the day. It’s been a crazy year of being 36 and I’m excited that 37 has arrived. I can’t wait to raise funds this evening for sea turtle conservation.

I’ve been sitting on the balcony reading all the birthday wishes on my Facebook page and feeling very, very loved right now. Here are some photos from my favorite balcony moments from my travels. I have a feeling that as the weekend progresses, I’ll be having a few more balcony moments, this time with friends. What are some of your favorite balcony moments? I’d love to know.