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We typically take a more light-hearted approach to our posts, but today is different.  Shannon and I first visited Paris ten years ago, and we plan to take our children there again next year.  Today’s events in Paris are absolutely devastating, and have highlighted something more serious that has always driven us to experience the world.

A realtor once told me that in every transaction, there is a “kite” and a “string.”  When it comes to travel, Shannon has always been my “kite.”  While I tend to drag my feet and get overwhelmed with the details of a trip, she has always taken a “book first and ask questions later” approach to travel.  After six years of marriage, she has taught me a valuable life lesson: stop overthinking and BOOK THE TRIP.   

One thing that should be abundantly clear to all of us right now is that, for better or worse, the world is changing.  Just because your bucket list destination has stood for 10,000 or 10,000,000 years does not guarantee that it—or you—will be here tomorrow.  This has been made all the more apparent by things like the recent collapse of Malta’s Azure Window, the closure of Japan’s iconic Tsukiji Fish Market, and today’s near loss of the gorgeous Notre Dame cathedral.

It is clearly impossible to know whether your destination will be there when you arrive, but UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger List is a great place to start.  While many of the places appear on the list due to their location in war-torn regions (think Aleppo/Bosra/Damascus), others such as Liverpool, Vienna, and the Everglades may be less obvious.  Reading through this list really brought to light the myriad ways that generations of people could lose the chance to see something truly special and irreplaceable.

Even if you think your location is safe from the ravages of erosion, civil war, and careless vandalism, I urge you to take the plunge and just book it.  Can’t decide on where to stay?  Book your flight—it will help you lock in your dates.  Can’t find a good flight?  Book your hotel and watch for rates to drop.  A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step—it’s better to take it now than risk the road falling out from under you.