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Around the World? Where Are You Going?

This past week, I wrote two personal posts that inspired many comments and discussion:

(You've Got) Personality -- In this post, I detailed "100 Interesting, Exciting and Fun Things That You May Not Have Known About Brian." After posting it here, I posted the same list on my Virginia Real Estate News blog and I had a potential client contact me during the week saying that she loved my list. My "About Me" section on my real estate websites now includes a link to that blog post urging readers to "Click Here to Learn More About Me than You Ever Wanted to Know." It's too early to judge the full impact, but my guess is that it will really help me connect with potential clients more than the standard agent bio.

Bucket List -- Things Still to Do -- After writing about the things that I have done, I posted a list of those aspirations, goals, and adventures that I wish to have "before I die." Fortunately, I have not received any bad news regarding my health and I expect to live a long healthy life. (Just finished my Wheaties!) Some other members of Active Rain have shared their "Bucket Lists" as well and it would be a pleasure to read more.

One thing you may have noticed about me is that I have a passion for travel. One of my favorite magazines is Conde Naste TRAVELER, and I also have the great book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Ticket to the World

You learn more about the world, about other people, about yourself through traveling, whether it's down the road or across an ocean. When you leave your comfort zone and explore a new place, a new city, a new culture, your world expands. You can learn more about your real estate profession too! Real estate practice, home design, advertising, laws, etc. vary greatly from country to country and even from state to state.

World Traveler Even if you never plan on purchasing a home there, take some time to check out the local real estate market in whatever city or country you visit on vacation, as I did when viewing condos several years ago on the island of St. Thomas with a RE/MAX Realtor there.

SO, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE AROUND THE WORLD FIRST CLASS TICKET ABOVE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? AND, WHY?

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF OR REAL ESTATE AS A RESULT OF YOUR TRAVELS?

Where have I been? 30 of the 50 United States. Canada, Mexico, England, France, Italy, Israel, Curacao, Thailand, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, St. Maarten. Always looking for more.

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If you plan to purchase or sell a home in the Northern Virginia or D.C. area,
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Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 01/26/2008 09:11 AM

Comments (37)

bucket list, travel, brian block, goals, goal setting, real estate

37 Comments on Around the World? Where Are You Going?

JAN

2008

Brian, Have you ever had visitors to your area call you up to 'see the city'? I remember when I was first in the business 11-12 years ago, I ended up playing tour guide a couple of times until l learned how to weed those kinds of people out.... (((-:

You're been to many interesting places! On my travel list I still have to visit Ireland, the Greek Islands, France and the Nazca Plateau.

JO: Fortunately I have never had that problem of people calling to "see the city." That would indeed be frustrating. Thanks for mentioning the Nazca Plateau -- I had no idea what that was so I just finished reading the Wikipedia entry about it. How interesting!

You know Pat Kennedy wants to go to Argentina? Can you imagine what trouble the 3 of us could get into?!

Last night I was actually speaking with some friends and we thinking of going to Egypt later this year. There are so many places I want to go still... but I think you and I both have the Travel Bug.

So if I look at condos in the Caribbean - Can I write off the trip as business?!? LOL

So... I have been.... to 39 states (including Alaska & Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, St Maarten, Aruba, St Thomas, Caruso, Puerto Rico, Belize, Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas, Ireland, England, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey.

Whew... that's a list.....

My favorite... Bruges, Belgium is very cool.... as is (most of) Italy. Least Favorite: Athens, Greece and Jamaica are about tied.

Around the world?????? Hell, I would be happy if someone put together a trip to DC or VA or MD to have lunch with a batch of active rainers that live, work and play in this area.

Traveling can be alot of fun. Seeing other cultures, ways of life and history. Hopefully you get to complete your "Bucket list"before someone trips over the bucket and spills out all your items.

Sean Allen

Brian, If I was one of your prospective clients I miight be scared off by that Round-the-World FIRST CLASS ticket. I would think that you want me to pay for it. I also might be just a little jealous.

Bill Roberts

Happy travels! I too have a passion for travel and seeing other cultures first-hand.

Traveling expands the mind...it also gives people a different perception about all different cultures and such. Diversity.

Brian - Traveling is the best. I love exploring new places and learning about other cultures. Looks like you are a seasoned veteran when it comes to traveling. I thought your list was outstanding and it is no surprise you got a potential client out of it. I may have to copy your great idea sometime :)

JAMES: Argentina is at the top of my list, especially since my wife and I dance and adore the Argentine Tango (it was our first dance at our wedding).

Egypt would be really cool. I have friends who have been. I almost went the first time I went to Israel but they said it was 125 degrees in the shade during July so we skipped it.

I actually was able to write off a small portion of the trip as business when I went to the Caribbean and looked at possible investment condos and made a referral connection with an agent there.

You are slightly ahead of me on your travels. Greece & Turkey are also high on my list. I've got several friends in Turkey and they've been bugging me to visit. We were supposed to go to Greece for our honeymoon, but 9/11 happened two weeks before our wedding and we changed our plans.

I've been fortunate to have traveled alot! Have been to all 50 states and lived on 3 continents but still have lots more things to see before I call it a day!

JAN

2008

Brian - I a glad you are able to live your dream. A friend and i had plan to back-pack across Europe but then we both got married and that was the end of that. I have relatives in China so i would like to visit someday it would be interesting to look at real estate there.

JOHN: You've got an open invitation to meet for lunch in Northern Virginia. I think a get-together is in the works and you should be one of the first to know.

Brian-so many places to choose from but if I had one place to choose...it would be Australia and if it were up to my husband...we would move there. I really enjoy your posts and appreciate your thoughts...I am going to do those lists...and may even post them too.

One of the things we do...is go away for weekend getaways...we are planning a camping trip with my brothers...they don't know yet.. :) In Jupiter, Florida....I can't wait...the last time we went we had so much fun...this time we hope to bring the little guy...and maybe my big boys...who knows...all I know is I enjoy getting away...and seeing the beautiful state of Florida...we have lots to do here.

Did someone say DC/VA A/R get-together??? When you planning it Brian?!

JAN

2008

SEAN: Thanks for your comment. Happy Trails!

BILL: Maybe if you were one of my clients, I'd let you stowaway in my luggage. Then again, maybe not.

VICKIE: There's nothing more life expanding than visiting other cultures and learning more about this big world.

SALLY: Thanks for your comment. I agree wholeheartedly.

BILL: One of the things that we try to do on every trip is spend some time doing what the natives do, whether it's going to their markets, eating at a local (non-touristy) restaurant, etc. Spending all the time on the resort and tourist traps does not teach you much about a country's culture.

CINDY: You have been fortunate. Of course, no matter how much we see and do, there's always more out there. It's a big wide world.

JENNIFER: China would indeed be interesting. My in-laws recently returned from a 3 week trip to China and really enjoyed it.

MIDORI: I'd love to travel to Australia, but really need to take some time to do it. My parents have been twice and each time stayed for a month. Weekend trips are always good for a quick recharge and relaxation.

JAMES: I've heard rumors about a planned get-together in March/April. Also, if you are going to the RE/MAX Dave Liniger event on Feb. 4th, we're planning a lunch afterwards.

Brian, I'm headed back to NY in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll call Mitchell and see if he'll show us some coops on Central Park West!

PATRICIA: Are you taking the Vamoose Bus again?

Brian - We talked about travel in New York. I leave Thursday for Negril, Jamaica. Cuba is a favorite destination of mine. I still want to see Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Russia, Croatia, India and Egypt to name a few... so many places, so little time!

Brian, I love to travel too, and have been fortunate enough to live in three other countries (Iran, Kuwait and England.) Because of that I got to travel to many, many other countries. I would say my all-time favorite place to visit was Japan. And the place I haven't been to, but am dying to go is Australia.

So where are you off to next?

Brian...I'm going off topic but would like to know if you attend the program in MD on the 5th or in Falls Church on the 6th. If you're getting together for lunch on the 6th I'd like to meet up with all of you as I'll be there that day and would love to meet some of my fellow Rainers. Please let me know. Thanks.

Cheers from Lake Anna,

Kathleen

JAN

2008

TOM: Have a great time in Jamaica. I know about your fondness for Cuba. I've got several of your places on my wish list as well.

CHELLE: Thanks for your comment. I've been to Japan too, if only for 4 hours in Narita Airport. I don't count airport stops as a real visit, though I did eat some sushi there. I'd love to go to Australia as well.

Going to Baltimore this coming weekend, does that count?