{"text":"My travels inevitably begin with copious research and planning. I began this kind of planning long ago when I was very young and anxious to hit the road. Hours were spent pouring over junior encyclopedias memorizing the names of exotic-sounding cities---Addis, Ababa, Samarkand, Damascus. Lengthy lists were written detailing the most minute necessities: three pairs of socks, two pencils. Spare batteries, rope.","author":"Barbara Hodgson","tags":["arm-chair-travel","packing","planning","travel"],"id":2276,"author_id":"Barbara+Hodgson"}