First Impressions of Portugal
I still have a terrible habit of comparing everywhere I am to Costa Rica, I guess I really liked it! So, upon arrival in Lisbon, I was immediately disappointed to see so many cement buildings, and so much less nature than I grew accustomed to. No howler monkeys, just...
First Impressions of Panama
I’m always intrigued how much first impressions can shift through the depth of our senses. For me, the first thing I noticed when I came to Panama (after the immigration agent told me I had to pay for my entry to Panama with a smile!!) was how different it feels than...
The Cows of Costa Rica
It seemed worth commenting on the cows I am meeting here in Costa Rica. Besides the fact that they have appeared for me here as guides, as friends, and provided humorous connections to people for me (amused by my love of cows,) they are an interesting breed. Literally...
A Costa Rica Conversation
The more locals I meet, the more I get to know about this fascinating country. On a nature walk for sloths and birds, I started realizing how really beautiful Costa Rica is because it has so much nature, and, unlike the States, you don’t see huge structures conveying...








If you want to see every post I’ve written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I’ve been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you’re a fellow solo traveler, or you’re thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you’re looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it’s blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I’ve visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that’s your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I’ve had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I’ve discovered about myself or about being, while I’ve traveled. If you’d like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.


