Why Travel is My Way of Life

Travel to me is a way of life.  

I started traveling after my dad passed away from cancer when I was just shy of my 18th birthday. I realized that my dad had worked hard all of his life to build a better future for us yet he was not able to enjoy those moments. Losing my dad in my teens was a stark daily reminder that life is short. I never thought about studying abroad or solo traveling before that. I thought I would follow the path of studying journalism, work in a small market in news, and try to move up from there. 

It's been 20 years now since his passing and looking back, I can see how my dad’s influence has been woven into every aspect of my life. From sports and broadcasting, to producing and directing, his work ethic and words have always stuck with me. 

“I’m not smart, I just work really hard,” my father would always say.

I don’t want to ever stop learning and travel is my way of keeping my eyes open to different perspectives, cultures, and views. 

As others around me got married and started families, I chased my dreams of seeing the world and was able to make many of them realities.  Don’t get me wrong, the grass is always greener on the other side and it's not that I don’t want to “settle down,” I just don’t want to settle, and I don’t think you should either. Again, life is too short to not embrace every moment. 

I've always been hesitant to start a travel blog because I didn’t think anyone would want to read it or that I could add value to what was already covered online. There is so much travel information out there, why would my story be interesting? Who would care about what I think?  I think we all manifest our self-doubt in different ways, but for me, it was a bit paralyzing going down that Instagram black hole of perfect people and places.  

But on the 20th anniversary of my dad’s passing, it's a bit of an homage to him, the ultimate risk taker and entrepreneur who shaped my life. My dad had the foresight to know “computers are the future” complete with pointed finger in the air… so here goes! I'm sharing my personal travels and tips, journeys, and (mis)adventures here. Maybe this is something that only my mom will read, but I guess only time will tell.