TRAVEL EXPERIENCES A Gift from Strangers: 7 Acts of Kindness While Traveling Posted on April 12, 2024June 18, 2024 I bet you’ve experienced this too. When you travel, it’s not just about seeing new places. You often meet kind strangers who make your journey special. Every step into the unknown helps you understand and connect with others, no matter where they’re from. These kind moments, like sharing a meal, getting help, or a kind word, make my trips warm and memorable. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Public Transportation in Italy: Trains, Buses, and Taxis Posted on March 27, 2024January 12, 2025 I am hanging out in Italy for a month. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my international driver’s license before going to Italy, so now I can’t drive here. This will require me to use buses, trains, and other public transport to get around. I’m not hating it, it’s been awhile since I’ve driven in Europe. While it’s a handy way to travel, there are a few things I’ve had to figure out to make it easier and cheaper a bit of know-how. Here’s a concise guide to making the most of your public transportation experience in Rome, Florence, Formia, and Naples Italy. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES DNA: Plan Future Travel Based on Past Lifetimes Posted on March 1, 2024May 17, 2024 Have you considered going on a genealogy-related tour? Sometimes, you know exactly where you want to go next, and sometimes, you have no idea. I used to think that when I’d traveled to all the places on my bucket list, I’d be done. Genealogy-related tours can offer a personal and enriching travel experience, guiding you to places you’re inherently connected. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Free Bella: The Fight to Release a Beluga Whale in Seoul Posted on January 9, 2024June 9, 2024 I stopped going to zoos and aquariums a while ago because I’ve become uneasy about keeping animals in such places. Recently, I came across the story of Bella, a Beluga whale, and it strengthened my belief that we need to reconsider how we treat animals in captivity. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES 30-Day Road Trip Across America in Marriott Hotels Posted on December 26, 2023July 4, 2024 Come along on our big trip across the U.S.! We’re hitting the road after living in South Korea for three years. For the next month, we’re crashing at Marriott Hotels everywhere. We’ll be checking out incredible landmarks, catching up with family, and finally settling down in the cornfields of Illinois. Please stick around for 30 days of stories from our journey, where Marriott is our home away from home at every pit stop. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Black Female Travelers: Enriching the Global Travel Narrative Posted on November 14, 2023September 3, 2024 As a black female traveler, navigating the world can be daunting. From dealing with race and gender biases to expecting, but not always receiving respectful behavior. There are many factors to consider when traveling as a black woman. In this blog post, I will share some of my personal experiences and insights and offer tips and advice on how to make the most out of your travels as a black woman. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES How to: Day Camping in South Korea with the Kims Posted on October 19, 2023July 14, 2024 Day camping in Korea, a pandemic pastime! Experience the joy of tent picnicking, savoring beef BBQ, and enjoying the countryside in Sangju. Read more
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Unveiling the Mask Dance Festival in Andong in South Korea Posted on October 1, 2023May 21, 2024 There are dozens of vendors hawking everything from sneakers to kitchen spoons to soaps and perfumes. Fresh and dried fish, octopus, silk worms and fresh fruits and vegetables baked under the intense sun. Nuts, spices, berries and something the resembled rice krispy treats were heaped into tall towers… easily toppled by unsteady hands. Read more