Off-the-beaten-path in Japan: A day in Mukugawa Village

I’ve always believed that travel is a vehicle for human connection and a way to uncover the common ground that connects us all.

Blame it on the stubbornness of a nineteen-year-old expat trying to survive on rice and tortilla chips who had to learn the hard way that your life is only as rich as the people in it. Some of the greatest lessons in my life have been shared over a home-cooked meal and an honest conversation.

That first struggling semester in Micronesia paled in comparison to the joy I found amongst my adopted Sri Lankan family later that year. My auntie upped my cooking game by teaching me how to mix flavors for depth and quality—My entire perspective shifted when I saw how joyful life could be with only the simplest of things and without the added pressure of keeping up with the Joneses—And surprisingly, I learned not to take myself so seriously, and to laugh a little along the way, often at my own expense!

When I started traveling later as a tourist, it became really hard to be satisfied by the Eiffel Towers and London Bridges of the world. They were beautiful, but there was no heart. I didn’t feel the connection I so desperately craved and often left places feeling just as detached as before I even visited.

I slowly awoke to the fact that my travels were lacking that human connection. There was no Jack Dawson inviting me to see a “real party” below deck and teaching me to see the people around me and the richness of a different way of life.

When I started Land + See Tours it was out of frustration at the cookie-cutter itineraries I’d been spoon fed up to that point. They were bright, and shiny, but lacked the depth and authenticity I’d gotten from my year abroad. Much like the start of my teaching career years ago, Land + See grew from the idea that there had to be more to it than I was given—surely it can be done better!

Our recent trip to Japan is a testament to this philosophy. While we met some pretty amazing people and made memories we will cherish forever, nothing was quite so impactful as the gift of a glimpse into the lives of the people of Mukugawa.

Before going any further I have to take a moment to thank Hiromi-San at Tour du Lac Biwa for hand-curating this experience for our group. Admittedly, this isn’t a tourist hot spot. You can’t book this on tripadvisor. It existed only for us—something I can’t thank Hiromi and the villagers for enough, and something that definitely added to the charm of this day.

Here is an in-depth look into our unforgettable day there.

About an hour and a half outside Kyoto, and nestled snugly within the Shiga prefecture of Japan, lies the unassuming, quaint village of Mukugawa. Unlike some other long-abandoned-rural-village-turned-tourist-attraction towns such as Shirakawago, Mukugawa is still very much inhabited—granted, with a mere 29 residents, but it’s very much a living-breathing time capsule for a more traditional way of life.

The village centers around the local community center—hand-built by the villagers 150 years ago and still standing strong. Miraculously, the entire building was constructed without the use of nails, screws or electric tools. Instead, the building was constructed using a centuries-old Japanese carpentry system called joinery, which involves the creation of interlocking joints that join together carefully selected pieces of wood.

The main level has a fire-pit and an extensive gathering area gently nestled beneath an upper loft used to store rice straw. The roof itself is thickly woven from the same rice straw which has to be replaced every 15 years. Carved into the walls of the loft is the Japanese symbol for water—something the villagers need, both for a good rice harvest and protection from the fire risks that inevitably come with the traditional Japanese wooden architecture.

Life in Mukugawa is still fairly simple compared to the bustle of surrounding areas like Kyoto and Osaka. Villagers grow and harvest their own rice as their main ecological resource. On our walk, we wandered past dozens of local homes, including the home of one of our hosts, all surrounded by lush fields of rice paddies. It was a warm day, but we enjoyed learning about the rice harvest and local flora and fauna.

The villagers maintain two local Shinto shrines that are used as places of worship. The shrines are believed to create a link between the gods (kami) and human beings. The Tori gates provide a welcome entrance and invitation to purify oneself before visiting the small sanctuary within. Our gracious hosts taught us the Shinto way to pray—a gentle bow followed by two claps. This was arguably the most peaceful place I’ve ever visited.

Following our village walk, our hosts treated us to a traditional Japanese sit-down meal, and even let us help with the preparations. This was hands-down the freshest, most elaborate spread we experienced on the entire trip. There was something extra special about knowing the man who’s field the rice was lovingly harvested and prepared from. Talk about preparing a meal with LOVE!

In the afternoon, our hosts pulled out the big guns—local legend Masako-San! Together with her host of ladies, she attempted to teach us to make rope from rice straw, and some of us were better students than others. Personally, I ditched my project pretty early on, getting lost in her stories from the early days in Mukugawa, explained via a translator.

Masako has lived in Mukugawa her entire life. She was born in 1933, vividly remembers the war, and has raised her family here. Her crew has grown to include a whopping twenty-one great grandchildren. While she doesn’t speak any English, we were lucky to have translators handy that helped us have a lively and heartwarming chat about life growing up in Mukugawa and the hardships and beauties of such an amazing way of life.

When I asked if I could take her picture as a personal souvenir to remember this moment, she said she will take the entire experience with her as a souvenir when she goes to Heaven!

The final activity of the day was a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, led by Mukugawa’s leading tea guru. Our gracious host has devoted her life to preparing and serving tea in a ritualistic and ceremonial way. Originally adopted from Chinese culture in the 14th century, the tea ceremony serves many purposes—promoting harmony and mindfulness, creating a bond through hospitality between host and guest, encouraging well-being, and much more!

The host supplies the guest with a light snack while seated across from them. While the guest enjoys their refreshment, the host prepares the tea by whisking matcha powder with hot water until gentle foam forms. The tea is served hot, and if it’s enjoyed, guests are encouraged to show their appreciation with a loud slurp!

The magic of a place isn’t in it’s big cities and bright, shiny tourist traps. It’s in the sharing of home-cooked meals amongst new friends—In awkwardly wrapping your tongue around foreign words and phrases—In deep bows, and rice straw and the lessons to be taught through aged hands, lovingly passing down shared traditions—In unexpectedly hard goodbyes—and the pieces of ourselves that we leave behind in one another—that’s where the real magic lies.

I don’t know a lot, but I know that Mukugawa is magic. I hope that you have the chance to visit one day. And if not, at least take the idea with you that real magic is found off the beaten path—in the stories and lives of the people who live in the places you visit—The special kind that isn’t pre-fabricated and sold by the thousands. The kind that is just for you and that can’t be left behind or properly shared with those who didn’t experience it first hand—the kind you take as a souvenir with you to Heaven.

Arrigato!

5 Things Anthony Bourdain Taught Me About Traveling

1.       Get off the beaten path. Sure, the Eiffel Tour is beautiful, and you’d certainly be remiss if you didn’t acknowledge that the tourist traps are famous for a reason, but don’t make the mistake of hitting only the highlights. The real beauty of a place comes in the unexpected surprises that come with a little risk taking—crawling to the bottom of an Egyptian tomb, an evening of Bohemian Rhapsody under the stars with local Mykonians, playing in a local jazz club in the Parisian underground, rolling cigars with a German-speaking Cuban national, and scurrying through hidden passageways in Dubai to buy knock-off watches and handbags aren’t exactly what you had in mind when you were planning your trip, but these are grout that cement and shape your experience into place. Sure, these moments aren’t instagrammable, and your watch might say Bowflex instead of Rolex, but they aren’t cookie-cutter prefabricated dime a dozen experiences. No, these are the raw revelations that can show both a city’s charm and underbelly in ways that are hard to forget.

2.       People are generally the same. Sure, they may look different, speak different languages, and god-forbid, vote for a different political party than you, but deep down we all want the same things—to live peacefully, to provide for our families, to be proud of where we come from, and to belong to something. The more people you meet, the more undeniable it is that the barriers that separate us are figments of our imagination.

3.       Ask the hard questions. It was over a vegetarian meal in Munich, with a friend of a friend, and coincidentally a Green Party Politician, that we found ourselves tiptoeing around political correctness and thanking our hosts for the amazing meal when her husband blurts out, “Well, I didn’t really want you to come if we are being honest.” What followed was a surprisingly refreshing, albeit straightforward, discussion about misconceptions we all had of each other as Americans and Germans. We left with an incredibly different understanding of one another than we would’ve had without such an incredibly German conversation starter.

4.       Home is where the heart is, and no, not your own home. Anthony Bourdain taught us the importance of sharing a meal in someone’s home. When you’re home, your guard is down—conversation flows more naturally in a safe space. If you stick to restaurants, you miss spontaneous living room concerts, Icelandic local handicrafts, and cute little granddaughters teaching you “the floss.” Go out of your way to find opportunities to organically connect. You never know what you’ll uncover. I wouldn’t have found out about the award winning French film “Three Colors: Blue” if it hadn’t been for the movie poster hanging in Giampaolo’s tiny half-bath—I also wouldn’t have met the winner of Top Chef Sweden if it weren’t for taking a risk on an invitation to dinner with a new acquaintance in Milan. When an opportunity presents itself to meet people where they are their most comfortable—jump on it.

5.       Travel is not a luxury. There was a time that travel felt like a privilege for the elite. Maybe it feels that way for you still. But the truth the way I see it is, travel is a responsibility and a constant opportunity to learn. It’s an eye-opening lesson in empathy to be the foreigner for a change—to be required to cover your tattoos in a mosque or your shoulders in a cathedral, and to discover just how handicapping it feels to have to have the menu read to you like a child because not everyone caters to English speakers, are all humbling experiences—experiences that make you much more tolerant. Collect the beautiful things you see, learn from the struggles, and bring them all back home and put them into practice.  

Tips and Tricks for Italy + Greece

If you’ve always dreamed of heading to Italy + Greece, you’re not alone! Both are magical destinations that leave your eyes wide and your mouth watering. The people, the landscape and the food in both regions are second to none. It’s no wonder people flock in hoards to the beautiful shores of the Aegean!

You know what they say? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But how do you go about that exactly? If you’re heading to Italy and Greece and are feeling completely overwhelmed with all of the cultural nuances and ways to prepare, we are here to help!

So without further ado.. Here are my tips and tricks for navigating Italy + Greece like a pro!

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Cities like Rome and Athens are rich in history and architecture, but some uncomfortable realities that accompany that are smaller rooms, and no central heating and air, to name a few.  Unlike America, A/C is not a standard in Europe. It will unlikely be in many of the shops you frequent, or in the hotels. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen and heat protection to counteract the effects of the heat. Also, wear layers so that you can add and remove clothing as necessary.

DRESS CODE CONSIDERATIONS

Understand that when visiting many religious sites, you will be expected to cover up. A general guideline to follow would be to keep your shoulders and knee caps covered if planning to visit a church in Italy. Due to the heat, it may not be practical to fully cover up during the day, but have a scarf or coverup handy for your visit to religious sites. Some churches will provide a coverup, but many do not, and you will be denied entry if you don’t meet the dress code requirements. Take care to plan your clothing in advance to avoid missing out on seeing certain sites.

PICKPOCKETS

Unlike America, pickpockets run rampant in most of Europe. Again, you are unlikely to find yourself in any physical harm, but understand, your pockets WILL be picked if you aren’t on high alert. High traffic areas like the bus and the metro are a feeding frenzy for “little fingers.” Also keep your eyes peeled at large tourist sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican, and the Parthenon. Where the tourists flock, so do the pick pockets. A good under-your-shirt money belt will definitely help lower your chances of becoming an easy target. Another interesting note: keep your cell-phone close. Leaving it on the edge of a table while eating or next to you on the metro is inviting theft. I once saw a poor sap get his phone snatched off a table in a restaurant while the waiter was explaining the specials. You can never be too careful. If you care about an item, don’t advertise it. Keep any valuables out of sight and secured if you want to hang on to them.

ELECTRICITY

If you plan to charge your phone, dry your hair, or use small appliances on your trip, you’ll need to be aware that Europe has a few major electrical differences with America. For example, the outlet plug shape varies from our standard two prong outlet. Though there are a variety of outlet types acceptable in both Italy and Greece, they both use the F and C type, with two small round prongs. You can find images and details on this outlet type here.  You can pick up a small pack of outlet converters rather inexpensively at Target or Amazon like these here. Another crucial thing to bear in mind is voltage. In America, we use 120 V of power in our outlets. In Italy, the standard is 220V and in Greece it’s even higher at 230V. Small items like cell phone chargers are okay with just a wall adapter that changes the shape of your outlet plug, but if you plan to use bigger items like blow dryers and straighteners, you’re going to want to equip yourself differently.  Purchasing a wattage converter before you leave will allow you to use your home appliances without overpowering them with European voltage and spares them from a sad burned out death. You can pick one up on Amazon like this one here.  

MONEY

We already mentioned that keeping a money belt below your clothing is a good idea, but that is just one aspect of being money conscious in Italy and Greece. While credit cards are widely accepted in Europe, Greece is more of a cash-based country so plan accordingly by hitting up an ATM or converting Euros before your trip. Italy, on the other hand, is very credit card friendly, but if you are using your normal credit card from home, be aware that there can be fees for every swipe if you aren’t careful that can add up quick. Not only does your bank charge a fee, you will face foreign transaction fees per swipe as well. If you’re dead set on using plastic for the majority of your purchases, it would be a good idea to invest in a card that has zero foreign transaction fees. My go to cards for international travel are the Capital One Venture Card, and the Chase Business Ink. Make sure that you also report international travel dates to your bank before you leave to avoid having your card frozen while abroad. I also suggest changing foreign currency at your home bank a few weeks before you depart. Take anywhere from $60-150 with you in local currency. Once you are in Italy and Greece, you can easily access ATMs for any additional cash you might need. Be aware, both your bank and local ATMs will charge you an exchange fee, so you will want to budget what you need and keep your ATM transactions to a minimum to avoid those unnecessary fees. The worst place to convert money is the airport, so plan on exchanging money before you leave, or at an ATM once while in Europe.

TIPPING

If you have a tour guide during any part of your trip, just know that it is customary to tip 1-2 euros after any guided tours. Similarly, you’ll want to tip any bus drivers (particularly ones who handle your luggage) for their services. We usually suggest $3 per driver per day of service. If you have a helpful waiter, they will certainly appreciate a few euros for good service as well. Some restaurant receipts will include a cover charge (coperto). This is a fee for setting your table. You may also see a service charge (servizio) usually around 10% already included on your ticket. Some restaurants will not have a fee at all and choose rather to include these fees in the menu prices. In the case that service has not been included, 1-2 euros per person is perfectly acceptable. Be aware that waiters aren’t reliant on tips as their sole source of income the way American waiters are. However, a tip for good service is always appreciated and for some services, the tourism industry for example, it’s expected.

PHONE USAGE

If you plan to use your phone abroad, make sure you call your phone carrier prior to leaving. The major ones like Sprint, ATT and Verizon have very reasonable international plans, however, you must add them before you leave to avoid paying exorbitant roaming fees. ATT, for example lets you use your phone as normal for $10 per day. If you don’t plan to stay connected, you can connect to Wi-Fi in the hotels. Just be aware the Wi-Fi can be spotty and often slower than at home, but hey, you’re in Europe. Enjoy the scenery and get your nose out of your phone 😊

FERRIES

If you plan to take a ferry at any point during your journey, there are some things you should know before you go. Ferry services are often behind schedule, so understand that you can be waiting for the ferry to arrive, sometimes much longer than you anticipated. They are affected by wind, waves and all other sorts of uncontrollable factors. The larger the ferry, the slower, but also the most likely not to cancel or delay. Be patient, and understand how it works. You will want to be at the dock at least 30 minutes before your boat leaves. Most locals won’t line up until right before, but getting there early will ensure a better seat and streamline the boarding process. Ferry’s take longer than flying, but they are really relaxing, beautiful experience. On big, slow ferries, you can sit outside and walk along the deck taking in the seascape. Most ferries allow you to stow your luggage on a rack on the boarding level of the boat. You are free to haul it up to the passenger deck and keep an eye on it yourself if you prefer. Most ferries have bathrooms, charging outlets and Wi-Fi, usually for a fee. They also have food and drinks for purchase.

Obviously, there is so much more to traveling in Italy and Greece than can be explored in this blog, but hopefully this will at least give you a leg up and keep you from looking like a total noob while visiting the ancient world. If you are looking for fun things to do while in Italy and Greece, feel free to take a look at our itinerary. These are only just some of the highlights, but it will give you an idea of how much time to allot at each location and how to pace yourself.

Happy travels!

Our Top 10 Travel Photos (Part One)

Travel certainly makes me feel alive. Sometimes I want to pinch myself because I can't believe what a dream my life has become.. and all because of travel. If you would've told me 10 years ago what my life would look like, I probably wouldn't have believed you. It's not too good to be true, it's not some magic elixir. It takes hard work and sacrifice, but it's completely possible to have your cake and eat it too. I've stumbled upon something that truly makes my heart happy and I want to shout it from the rooftops so that others can live their dreams too.

So along that vein, here is a walk down memory lane. These are some of my favorite travel photos from our recent adventures. Notice, I've named it "part one" because it was SO hard to choose just 10. Be on the lookout for more travel photo related blogs in the future. And until then.. take a look at our photo gallery. 

Without further ado, here are our top 10 travel photos... so far :)

1. Trevi Fountain, Rome

This is one of my favorites because it really captures the feeling of the moment--pure joy! Here we are throwing coins into the newly renovated Trevi Fountain, cashing in on the saying that promises a return to Rome to those that toss in a coin. To date I've tossed in 3 coins and the promise hasn't failed me yet. I'm so pumped to be headed back next summer. You can check out the itinerary here if you feel so inclined. The beautiful lady to my left is our guide, Elena. She really made our trip special because of her love of life, constant upbeat personality and love of travel. We are kindred spirits for sure!

2. Arc de Triomph, Tour de France, Paris

This one captures my whole heart. I love this picture so much I have it hanging in my house. This trip was incredibly special for so many reasons. It was Roman's first international trip (he was such a trooper), and as an avid cyclist, it was the fulfillment of one of Jordan's lifelong dreams--to attend the Tour de France. It was incredibly special for him to share this moment with his firstborn son. This particular year was the 100th annual Tour de France, so the country went all out! There were jet planes flying overhead spouting plumes of red, white, and blue in their jet streams, the Arch was turned into an illuminated light show the likes of which I've never seen before. It was incredible. The winner was Chris Froome. Paris will always hold a special place in my heart, and this was an awesome way to experience it for the first time. I've been back several times since and it lives up to every single magical expectation, time after time. While the Tour de France won't be taking place when we return next March, we will definitely hit the Arch of Triumph again, along with many, many more Parisian highlights. Check it out here.  

3. Segrada Familia, Barcelona

There's nothing quite like experiencing living, breathing history being made right before your eyes. This photo is outside of the Segrada Familia, a masterpiece of art and architecture melded into one, by none other than Gaudi himself. It was breathtaking to watch as this centuries old masterpiece is still being constructed. Gaudi has his hand in so many corners of Barcelona. He really gives the city it's eclectic feeling and nowhere is that more apparent than at this magnificent cathedral. I can't wait to go again and see how it continues to progress. 

4. Stonehenge, England

This was a lucky shot captured during a long layover in England. We had just enough time to rent a car and drive out to Stonehenge before heading off to our final destination. While driving on the opposite-side of the rode felt much like taking our lives into our hands, especially while being so jetlagged, we were soon rewarded. It was unreal to drive down the country road and BOOM, there is Stonehenge off to the side. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that was someone's morning commute every day. 

5. Hot Air Balloon, Dubai

This was my number one bucket list item, believe it or not! I will forever have warm fuzzies about this dream come true. This was Christmas Eve, and we took a 4 am Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Dubai desert. We watched the sun rise, we rode over camel farms and had a crash landing--all before lunch time. This was definitely one of the most amazing moments of my travels over the years. Fun fact: my sunglasses fell off my head as we were landing this baby and I thought they were gone forever. Luckily enough, I found them only a few hundred feet away and unscathed. 

6. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

This has to have been one of the most surreal experiences of our entire lives, travel or otherwise. I'd always wanted to visit the Pyramids in Egypt, and we finally got an inexpensive chance when we were visiting Jordan's parents in Dubai. We booked a cheap, economy flight and a budget-friendly hotel and off we went. Amid recent turmoil we found ourselves as the only tourists in the area. This is a picture of the most mind-blowing moment where passersby wanted a picture of us, and not the beautiful background. I would highly recommend Egypt to any adventurous travelers out there. It is a country rich in history and art with so much to offer, no waiting in line, and a warm welcome from everyone. 

7. Fish Pedicure, Athens

This tops my list of weirdest life experiences. On a lunch break in Athens, we passed a shop that gave fish pedicures. If you know me, you may know I have an irrational fear of freshwater fish.. don't ask.. it's irrational. This was quite the hurdle for me as it both explores a cultural curiosity and conquers a lifelong fear. The fish basically eat all the dead skin off of your feet. I'm not sure how hygienic it is, especially considering the fact that it is outlawed in many countries, but all in all, it was a cool experience,  and if you are wondering.. it tickles like hell! While this excursion isn't exactly listed on the itinerary, we could probably squeeze it in. 

8. Gondola Ride, Venice

Who hasn't dreamed of riding in a gondola since they were a little kid? I certainly did, and let me tell you, it lived up to every single expectation. Winding through the narrow canals and listening to everyday life happening in the balconies and windows above is surreal. I love experiencing other people's worlds, if even just for an afternoon. Although it wasn't planned, I enjoyed that our gondola driver and I had coordinated outfits. As I was 7 months pregnant on this trip, I especially appreciated this moment to get off my feet and relax, the Venetian way. 

9. Nice, France

I think everyone on this trip could agree that the evening we spent exploring Nice was one of the highlights of our travels. Watching the sun set over the pebbled beach was beautiful beyond words. While we did misplace our GoPro camera this night, it didn't taint the joy we felt this entire day. I think most of us started planning our return trip that night. I especially loved that two of my besties were with me on this trip. These two lovely ladies have been such beautiful additions to my life, and I consider them two of my best friends, and we wouldn't be what we are if it weren't for travel. They say, friends who travel together, stick together.

10. Zaanse Schans, Windmill Village, Netherlands

This was from our most recent travel adventure to Amsterdam. We were celebrating our anniversary and this windmill village was the highlight of the trip. It was beyond quaint. We watched a clog-making demonstration, we sampled gouda cheese and chocolate, and we explored the winding pathways and ivy-clad cottages of this fully operational village. It wasn't just a tourist trap, it's an actual town where people still live and it's a definite must see on our upcoming tour back to Amsterdam. 

Travel doesn't have to be out of reach. It does take some prioritizing and planning, but it's totally achievable, even on a limited budget like ours. Take a look at some of our upcoming tours, and start living your dreams today. 

Why travel is important for PEOPLE

I recently read an article that frustrated me. Its title boasted the top 6 reasons why travel was important for young people. It gave compelling reasons that in my opinion, solidly supported their argument. Among the reasons were claims that travel pushes you outside of your comfort zone, it can boost self-confidence, heighten your global sensitivity, make you more adaptable, provide you with networking opportunities, and lastly, create an environment that helps you with language immersion. Folks, these are all wonderful reasons to travel, and in my experience, they are all true. My problem with this article lies less with its claims that travel is vastly beneficial, and more with the semantics and the narrow scope of who society feels travel is appropriate for.

Let me be clear, traveling while you’re young is one of the greatest, I repeat, GREATEST gifts you could give your children. Those of you who were blessed with the opportunity to travel young know what I’m talking about. I was one of those lucky few. My entire life was up-ended (in the best possible ways) because of travel. My issue is this concept that it’s only for the young.

I remember the first time I read the book, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. It tapped deep into parts of my heart I never even knew existed. I devoured it. It changed me in ways I find hard to explain even now. I’ve recommended this book to everyone who will listen. While I’m sure other women in their 30s would enjoy this book, the idea that ONLY women in their 30s could find value in this read is preposterous. I’ve seen people of all ages, both genders, different nationalities and religions connect to this book. It is one of those life changing reads.

Travel is like that. It is AWESOME for young, unattached people, but does that mean that there is no benefit for anyone else? Do we stop needing skills like adaptability, communication, and empathy past puberty? I think we live in an awesome society, but arguably, one that has clearly defined territories.

They say, get your traveling done while you’re young, before you “settle down.” I think again, semantics are to blame here. To “settle down” is to settle. It’s in the very phrase! Don’t get me wrong, I have a beautiful family, a dog, I own my own home, we have new(ish) cars—to society I am “settled down.” However, I have no intention of settling. I traveled a good deal while I was young, but I didn’t magically wake up one day and say, “Oh, that’s it. My travel tank is full. Now I’m done.” No. In fact, the exact opposite happened once I started having a family. I still yearned for travel and culture and adventure, but now I had purpose, people to share it with—young lives to shape. I would hate for my children to grow up and think that creating a beautiful family and planting roots is somehow settling or that if they choose to have a family that it means their traveling is over. I want them to collect moments, to make memories, not just store up a bunch of items in a house they’ll never pay off. I want them to seize the day and live life to the fullest with the people they love the most in the world. But the odds are, they won’t get this message from society. Society will encourage them while they are young to explore, to dream and to adventure, but then it will say, “Okay, you’ve had your fun. It’s time to grow up!” Why does growing up have to be settling? Why can’t we show our children how to LIVE?

I’m reminded of a high school friend who recently went on a months-long European adventure with his 80-something-year-old grandmother. He posted a picture of her in her sweet little nightgown at the curb of the airport, about to go on the adventure of a lifetime. They posted little updates along the way and I couldn’t help but admire her. She is exactly the type of woman I hope to be in this life--completely throwing caution to the wind, not letting age or limitations or society tell her that her time is done. She was living every single day to the fullest and not letting any barriers stand in her way. By society’s guidelines she should be taking it easy, enjoying her golden years curled up under a blanket, knitting with her lap dog, but not this one. She was traipsing across Europe, seeing things she’d always dreamed about. There was no “settling” with her. There is something so magical about taking control of your life and doing what makes you happy, regardless of society’s expectations.

Life can be whatever you make of it. I really do believe you can have your cake and eat it too. I am a teacher. I do not make a lot of money, but I have a full and blessed life—one that I hope has many more years to it. But I know one thing for sure--when I am on my deathbed, I plan to die with a life full of memories and absolutely no regrets. This is my not-so-secret wish for you too. Get out there and make the life you want.

Mystery Man

Somewhere out there is a man who has no idea how our chance encounter has altered my life (and maybe a few others too). I don’t know where he lives, what he’s doing now. Hell, I don’t even remember his name—but I do know I’m grateful we randomly met.

He was assigned the seat next to mine on a 9 hour flight to Rome. I felt bad for him. I’m sure he hadn’t bargained for such a long-haul sitting next to a 5-month-old and a stressed-out new mom covered in baby puke. Poor guy. Naturally we got to talking and I asked him why he was traveling to Rome. Turns out he wasn’t. It was just a stopover on a trip to Amsterdam to see the Tulips—he and 30 other passengers. I was flabbergasted. It got better. Not only was he traveling with 30 other people, they were senior citizens and he was LEADING them through Europe. I didn’t even know people did that.

He was raised on a farm, got married young and naturally became a farmer himself. He saw that as his bread and butter and his way of life until noticing a huge void in the senior community in his town. He was from somewhere in the Midwest and wanted to make a difference so he started by hiring buses and taking seniors on day trips to get them out and about. From there it grew into a full-fledged tour company and he had entirely devoted his life to connecting people with the world around them, personally escorting them every step of the way. I’ll never forget what he said. He said, “I was a farmer. I have no education, but I’ve seen the entire world and now I get to share that with other people. Do you have any idea how fulfilling that is?” Talk about living your dreams, right? He asked me, “What are you doing with your life?” I took a hard swallow and said I was a high school English teacher, feeling suddenly unimpressed with myself. “Perfect,” he said. “You need to start sharing the world with your kids. If someone like me can do it, what kind of an impact can someone like you make? You have your whole life ahead of you.”

He praised me for my bravery in taking a 5-month-old to see the world and encouraged me not to stop there. At the time I was embarking on what I believed to be my last trip to Europe. I’d been once before in high school and had high hopes of becoming a world traveler. I promised myself that one day I’d go back. But one day turned into one year and slowly life began to happen. Before I knew it I was married and had a baby on the way. Society told me my chance was gone. We praise the young unattached twenty-somethings, encouraging them to seize the day while they can and explore and so on, but once motherhood calls, we are supposed to kill that hunger to roam and replace it with an urge to compete with other mothers about who’s birthday party was the most pinterest-worthy, who breast-fed longer, and who sacrifices more for their children. It’s a great calling, don’t get me wrong, but I never considered that there was an alternative way—that I could (with more bags and more work) wrangle my own children and traipse through foreign lands. I especially didn’t think I could do it with other people’s kids. Was it a lot of work? Totally! Was it worth every hassle? 100%!!

The mystery man and I exchanged pleasantries the rest of the flight, but his words stayed with me. What was I doing with my life? Is it really possible to share the world with kids like that? Senior citizens, sure, but students?

It took me a little over a year to work up enough courage to take my first trip, and also a gentle nudge from a colleague, but I took the leap and it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I used other tour companies as a crutch at first, believing that I needed them as a security blanket, that I was just some frail little woman who needed their knowledge of all things travel. It didn’t matter that I had over 15 years of travel experience or that I’d lived abroad for a year. One day, with another gentle nudge, this time from my husband, it hit me. They are just dudes in a cubicle. They are no different than I am. The only thing that separates me from that man on the flight is that when my dreams come knocking, fear makes me ask them to come back another day. I was tired of paying big bucks for someone else to do something I enjoyed so much—the planning was the fun part. Deciding where to go, what untouched gems to discover, local traditions to learn from, flavors to taste for the first time—these are the things I love, and things I totally didn’t have a hand in when I was outsourcing tours to someone else—I was petrified that I wasn’t worthy.

Sixteen countries later and my very own tour company and I can’t believe I ever worried that one trip was going to be my last. But collecting stamps in my passport is hardly the best part. By far the travelers are what make the experiences so worthwhile.

Watching travelers is hard to describe. It warms places in my heart I didn’t even know I had. I’ve witnessed many beautiful moments while traveling. Here are a few of my favorites. I had the privilege of watching a dear friend of mine come alive after heartbreak, realizing her life isn’t over just because her marriage was. She took a huge leap in coming on the tour and watching her take the reins of her life—refusing to be a bystander--was a beautiful thing to witness. Another great memory was watching a couple on the brink of divorce rekindle their love for one another while on tour and rebuild a strong and healthy foundation for their family. I’ve seen strangers take on other travelers as their own children when they were in a tough spot or low on money. I’ve seen beautiful friendships (that would NEVER happen in a traditional school setting) develop and blossom as a result of travel. I’ve seen students who receive special services absolutely flourish with self-confidence and adaptability as a result of travel.  Barriers are broken down. People are challenged, and they ALWAYS rise.

I could go on and on, but I promise I won’t. I have been able to truly realize how blessed I am because of the experiences and connections travel has helped me form with students, friends, family, and strangers who become some form of all of these things. If you have traveled with me or entrusted your children to my care: THANK YOU! You guys are amazing! I truly believe that giving your kids the experience of travel is setting them up for a lifetime of success. Also, those that invest in themselves and travel know what life is all about: people, history, culture, connections—you name it, travel does it!

I wish I could find that man and thank him, but the likelihood of that happening is slim—believe me, I’ve spent hours randomly searching “Midwest Senior Travel Company” and scouring pictures on the internet hoping to catch a glimpse of a familiar face. My students, friends and anyone who has traveled with me and benefitted from travel have him to thank! I wish I could tell him to his face, but since I can’t—let’s honor him by living our own lives to the fullest every day. Whatever that means to you, get out there and DO IT! For me, that’s sharing the world, one person at a time. If that sounds like your cup of tea too, come with me! Seriously. No catch. Just us making the world our oyster. We may know each other well, we may just be acquaintances, or total strangers, but I know after traveling we will all feel like family.