Viajando ... and a Giveaway!

Updated to announce winners.

Congratulation Melissa, Cheryl and Nicole. Based upon the numbers selected by random.org, you are the winners. I will be in touch for your mailing address. Also, thank you everyone who entered. I enjoyed reading your comments!

Next month we are heading to Spain ... and boy are we ready for a vacation. Bob has been working hard on a project and I have been focused on getting my business up and running. Honestly, it will be great to get away for a bit. It sounds strange to say that, since we live in one of the most peaceful places in California. I guess what I am really craving are exciting urban landscapes, lively Spanish culture, different food, and the intoxicating travel buzz that comes with exploring new places.

I've reserved our lodging for two cities through airbnb. Check out the cute studio apartments we are renting in Madrid and Barcelona, the two cities that will bookend our trip. The week in between these two cities is likely to be a mix of hostels, Couchsurfing, or last minute decisions, depending what town we are in. Since it is the off season, I am comfortable not having all my bookings pinned down.

Anyway, this is all a long introduction to tell you about a special deck of playing cards that I plan to take on our trip. TrekDek is set of cards with the theme "Live Well. Travel Well."  Each card includes a "challenge" of some sort, something to get you to try something new while you are on the road. Here are some of the "challenges" that I may give a whirl when we are in Spain:

• Watch a movie at the local cinema.
• Arrive somewhere without having booked a place to stay.
• Buy some local music.
• Attend a locally-advertised event.
• Find a local bar and learn the national drinking game or song.

When I think of some of the more memorable travel experiences I've had, they are often the unplanned ones. Like seeing a string quartet in an old Venice church based upon a posted advertisement we saw, watching an over-the-top Bollywood movie in a cinema in Delhi, getting invited to a lamb roast in Chile from strangers we met on a boat, or watching a rugby in a packed bar in New Zealand. These cards are reminder to seek out the unexpected.

The best part about the TrekDek is that you can use them locally to inject a little adventure into your daily life ... and who can't use a little more adventure? 

If you would like enter for a chance to win a TrekDek, leave a comment below telling me about an unexpected joy you had on a trip. If you want to purchase your own set, you can head over to this web page.

One entry per person, and the contest closes 11:59 PM PST on January 8, 2012. I will use random.org and select one winner on January 9, 2012. Be sure to check back to see if you are a winner. Contest is closed. Please see the top of the post for the winners.

Good luck to you and may 2012 be full of adventure.