Travelers on the Bhutan pre-trip extension to our Heart of India adventure can hike to Tiger's Nest monastery—photographed here by Howie's "mistress."
By Howie Axelrod, 34-time traveler from Delray Beach, FL
I have a confession to make. After decades of soul-searching and lingering guilt, I have finally decided to "come clean." Many times, I had considered discussing my situation with someone close to God—such as a priest, rabbi, Buddhist monk, or Hindu holy man—but never found the courage to "man up." So, you, reader, will be my audience. I have a mistress!! It’s true, and this affair has been going on for many years. Please don’t be quick to judge me. If you listen to my story, I believe you will understand. It feels so good to finally own up and get this off my chest. My wife knows, and I suspect has known for many years. Initially, it created havoc in our marriage, but with the passage of time, things have settled down. I am fortunate to have a loving wife who understands that I need this other lady to be happy, so she now accepts her—albeit somewhat begrudgingly.
I tried for years to cover up my affair, but after leaving the house early for work and leaving again after dinner so many times, my wife became suspicious. I knew she would eventually find out, but I was a man in love and just couldn’t help myself. Please try to understand. I don’t know if she followed me, had me followed, or heard from a friend who had seen us together, but when her suspicion was confirmed, she confronted me. Having been caught, I admitted everything. She wanted to know the details. Out of respect for the wonderful wife she has been over the decades, I told her everything, leaving nothing out.
To be fully honest, this is not my first mistress. There have been others, but none affected my behavior like this current lady. I acted almost normal with those, and my wife never suspected. Judge me to be a sinner if you wish. I have no defense for what I have done. I was a man driven by love and passion.
It all began so innocently. I first saw this beautiful and mysterious lady at a friend’s house in 2014. I felt instant chemistry. After we were introduced and became acquainted, I knew I had to be with her. She was everything I wanted and needed, and after meeting her only once, I felt certain that she would fulfill my hopes and dreams beyond my wildest imagination. I knew that we were made for one another. The first time I held her, it seemed SO right. I now cherish every minute that we have been together.
She has become an integral part of my marriage and always travels with my wife and me. Is this so strange? There is an expression in France to the effect that "Marriage is difficult. It is so difficult that it takes three people to make it work: the husband, the wife, and the mistress." This is our situation. The three of us travel the globe together, and my wife, my mistress, and I have seen so much of the world. I cannot be without either for a minute when we are traveling. Yes, people do stop and stare. I wonder if they are staring at my beautiful wife, my beautiful mistress, or the three of us and what we represent. People can be harsh in their judgments of others.
Please do not think poorly of me. I pay my bills on time, donate to charities, do not take out the trash before the designated time, recycle, conserve water, compost, take the plastic bags back to the market for proper disposal, and donate blood. I really am a good person and a good citizen, so please try to understand. If needing to have this lady with me and craving her touch when we are apart is a character flaw, I believe it is my only serious one.
Physically, my mistress is stunning. Her shape is breathtaking, and her skin is smooth and dark. She has curves in all the right places. Ooh la la! I am constantly yearning for her touch. She appears to be a bit on the hefty side, but when I hold her close, I realize that she is, in fact, exactly the right size.
When we first started spending serious time together, things did not go well. She could be finicky and a bit difficult to understand, and as such, there was some friction between us, but time together was all that was needed. Now we get along perfectly. She makes my heart sing! I genuinely believe that we were meant for one another. It was fate.
Did I mention that she is from Japan? In my opinion, she is the most magnificent lady to have ever crossed the Pacific. I know other men who have Japanese mistresses. Some of their ladies are quite beautiful, and many are younger than mine. Although I can clearly see how they were attracted to them, I am keeping my sweetheart. I could never give my heart away again. I hope to grow old with her by my side.
Perhaps you know her? She is my Nikon D7100 Digital SLR camera. In my opinion, she is the sweetest lady to ever reach our shores from the Orient.
It’s been nice chatting, but I need to run. We have a date this afternoon, and knowing we will soon caress makes my heartbeat faster. Thump, thump, thump. Click, Click, Click. Gotta go. My wife and mistress are waiting.
A Few Photographs Taken by Howie & his Mistress
Howie’s "mistress"—a Nikon D7100 Digital SLR.
Terraced rice paddies—a staple of Asia’s rural landscape—which can be seen on our Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam adventure.
On our Inside Vietnam adventure, travelers visit colorful floating villages.
Travelers can visit The Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple during O.A.T.’s Japan’s Cultural Treasures adventure.
Registan Square at night, located in the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand, which travelers visit on O.A.T.’s The Silk Road: Central Asia’s Ancient Trade Route adventure.
Pehoé Lookout offers breathtaking panoramic views of Torres del Paine National Park, which can be visited on O.A.T.’s The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords adventure.
The Amphitheatre of El Djem, located in modern-day Tunisia, is a well-preserved Roman amphitheater dating back to the third century AD—and can be visited on O.A.T.’s Tunisia: From the Mediterranean to the Sahara adventure.
Travelers can visit the Moai statues of Easter Island—known locally as "Rapa Nui"—on the pre-trip extension for O.A.T.’s The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords adventure."
Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro hosts the iconic "Two Brothers" peaks—which can be visited on our New! Brazil in Depth: Rio de Janeiro, Amazon Cruise & the Pantanal adventure."
During Diwali in Varanasi, a diya-lit boat procession illuminates the Ganges—a sacred river travelers can visit during O.A.T.’s Heart of India adventure.
Hashish smoker at the Pushkar Camel Fair—which can be experienced on a special festival departure of our Heart of India adventure.
Step into a photographer’s dream on our Heart of India adventure—and don't forget to bring your camera!
