What Is Wrong With Me?

What Is Wrong With Me?

Today, I am requesting your assistance in helping me to answer the question, “What is wrong with me?” Before you get all excited and start pounding on your keyboard with instant psychoanalysis and opinion, perhaps a little more explanation is necessary. 

We have just completed our first day exploring the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is truly one of the great exploration days of my many years of travel. The complex is massive and impressive in its size, condition, and complexity. 

As soon as I near an archeological site, I begin to get energized and excited. Why an old man gets so pumped by approaching a large pile of stones in a strange country has had me guessing all my life. My first travel orgasm (there is little better description) was when I first visited Westminster Abbey in London when I was 24 years old. I was totally in awe at its grandeur, and the hundreds of stories, artifacts and relics that it housed. I couldn’t get over stepping on the grave marker of a renowned poet, while staring at the tribute to a global explorer and leaning on a king’s headstone. I stumbled upon the graves of Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens and King Charles 11. My first immersion into a historical ground zero, completely overwhelmed me. 

Since that first experience with our historical past, I have become an addict. Over the years I have explored dozens of wonderful sites including the pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, and the Great Wall of China. Each visit seemed more exciting than the last one and I instantly began to scan the horizon for my next destination. I was never bored and the more unique a historical site, the more excited I got. 

I think the pinnacle of my historical explorations occurred from 2000-2004 when we lived in Turkey. This marvellous country is home to more extraordinary sites than you can imagine and in fact, most people have never heard about many of them. I still marvel at every visit to Aya Sophia built in the 5th century, to Ephesus with its Roman ruins, to the mountain of fallen heads, Nemrut Dag, and Rumeli Hisari Castle on the Bosphorus. (I told you, you haven’t heard of some). As soon as I see a set of stone steps leading skyward I am like a young child, I have to start climbing to see what I can see from the top.

This infusion of high energy completely dispels any minor ailments that troubled me the day before - no more sore Achilles, no fatigue, no more aching knee. I become transformed into the Old Geezer Explorer as soon as I near a targeted archeological site. As we approached the complex at Angkor Wat today, I became thirty years old again and raring to go! So I ask, “ What is wrong with me?” This is not normal behaviour. 

I am appealing for your diagnosis of my illness and would appreciate your candid observations relative to my condition. Please help! I will be awaiting at least fifty responses. The first prize winner will be rewarded by having his email address deleted from the mailing list of my never-ending blog. That is worth fighting for!