Dave Caolo

My great passion is travel. I live to experience cultures that are different than my own and see what I can learn. I spent the last 4 days in Paris, France and the experience was life-changing. I kept a diary in a notebook and I’ll share some entires here over the next few days.

Above is a video I shot while riding a bicycle around the courtyard in the Louvre. It was totally surreal. The Louvre is a majestic, regal place of such reverance and importance. It’s colosal in size and scope. I’ve seen some amazing things, but nothing else has elicted the same feeling of respect and awe.

To be riding a bicycle around that courtyard felt like kicking a skateboard around St. Peter’s at The Vatican. Not disrespectful, but fun and giddy. I’ll remember those few minutes always. A man playing the flute under an archway (which you can hear clearly at one point) added to the experience.

Humankind can acheive such tremendous things. From the construction of that building to the treasures inside, it restores one’s faith in his neighbor. While we all don’t have The Mona Lisa inside us, we have the same potential for greatness. That’s an astounding thing.

What’s your passion in life?

I’ve spent the last year or so trying to answer that question. Of course, I knew the answer all along, but was trying to ignore it.

Travel.

My life’s passion is to experience foreign cultures. I want to see the people, food, traditions and day-to-day activities that are nothing like my own. That’s what I want to do with my life — go everywhere and see everything.

Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Work Week proposes that we spend several months a year doing just that. This morning, I came across a story of a man, Andy, who’s been perpetually traveling for 10 + years. They’ve done it, why can’t I?

Here’s the clincher. From Andy

“I was bored with life in the United States. I had a successful business. I was making good money, had a boat, two houses. But I was bored. I wasn’t married. I was always waiting for the day when I’d get married. Then one day I just took off.”

Read the 5th sentence again. That’s right, these are single, childless guys. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t condemn my wife and kids for the life I lead. I love my wife and kids.

So, I’ve got a mortgage, two toddlers in school, etc. I can’t pull them out of school so I can go live in Switzerland for 12 weeks.

Tim would berate me for this. “You’re making excuses out of fear. Just do it.” He also suggests I create a product so wonderful it will generate $40,000 in sales per month via an automated, online system. Oh, is that all I have to do? It’s that easy? Thanks, Tim.

I don’t begrudge these guys. More power to them. But it’s not as easy for everyone. I’m just saying.