It was my birthday this month and I decided that once I hit 50, I could start going backwards. Sooo, this year I celebrated my 49th. My sister asked me how it felt to be in my first year of my 40s (she is playing along as I go back down the ladder) and I said I felt fantastic. I wore a tierra that read, “Tiny bit older” as I proudly blew out my forty-nine lit candles. The thing is, I actually did feel a little better by saying I was 49 instead of 51 so maybe there is somethi

Do you have a tribe? Is there someone cheering you on as your biggest fan? Are you surrounded by positive, like-minded people who lift you up, support your dreams, and celebrate your accomplishments? Having a strong community isn't just a nice bonus in life; it is essential to our personal growth, well-being, and happiness. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how being part of the right group of supportive, genuine friends can completely transform a person’s outlook. When

What was your favorite country? In my last post, I shared how that’s a difficult question to answer because travel is so subjective. A country might be a ten for one person and a five for someone else. That said, I did come up with my own little rating system for the countries I've visited in Central America (all but Honduras). These ratings are based on what I value—things like: its culture - I like to connect with the vibe of a region’s important city its people - I app

What’s your favorite country that you’ve visited so far? I was recently asked that question by a group of doctors who were volunteering in Antigua, Guatemala. As many of you know, Italy is still at the top of my all-time favorites list. But when they narrowed the question to the countries of Central America, I told them it would be easier to rate each one on a scale from one to ten. I started with Costa Rica and said, “I give it a nine, maybe even a ten.” One of the ladie

Do you ever rewatch an old movie or show that you used to think was amazing only to realize it wasn’t quite as good as you remembered? I recently saw the movie Serendipity. It's an old rom-com that I had always remembered as being magical and special. I think the last time I watched it was about fifteen years ago. I was younger, a little more angsty, and glamorized romance. I loved the idea of fate, soulmates, and that person somewhere out there just waiting to find me. So

Almost every day someone asks me the same questions: Why travel to fifty countries at fifty years old? Why travel solo? Why spend months away from home chasing stamps in a passport? Until recently, I wasn't sure I could fully answer that question. Sure, there are the personal reasons. This journey has been about overcoming fears, taking time to reflect, getting to know myself better, and figuring out where I want to go in this second phase of my life. But I knew there was

My grandson said six words that nearly broke my heart. “Nonna, I don't like painting anymore.” “What? Why don’t you like to paint, Axel?” “It’s okay, Nonna. It’s just because I’m six now. Maybe when I’m older, I’ll like it again.” “I don’t believe it, Axel. We always love to paint together, so maybe we are just a little out of practice. I bet if we get back into the studio, you’ll like it again.” Every week I dedicate one day to Axel. He calls them “Nonna Days,” and they

I just got back to the Pacific Northwest for the summer and I've already been asked several times, "So when do you leave again?" For those of you who haven't been following along, my goal has been to visit fifty countries during my 50th year. When I launched last October, I had a solid plan. I would explore Eastern Europe, come home for Christmas, spend the spring traveling through Central and South America, come back for my youngest son's college graduation, and wrap up the

Travel sometimes gives you beautiful views, but occasionally, it gives you something much more rare: a moment in time you know you’ll never forget. I began chatting in the chocolate shop with a man named Andreas and he asked if I had plans for my last night in Quito. I didn’t. He simply asked, “White or red?” “White or red what?” I said. “Wine.” I laughed and said, “Red, of course.” Since I was traveling alone, I messaged my tour guide, Stephania Nicole, to ask about h

Some cities welcome you with smiles. Quito tosses you into the clouds. At nearly 9,000 feet above sea level and sitting almost directly on the equator, Ecuador’s capital is suspended between sun and mist, mountains and city lights, ancient culture and modern life. When my plane landed, just as Maria had promised, a driver named Miguel was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it. He took me to my hotel in La Floresta, a beautiful neighborhood just outside Quito’s h