CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES 15 Must-Download Apps for Traveling Around Asia and Southeast Asia Posted on September 13, 2025September 10, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Travel in Asia feels smoother with the right apps. Beyond Google Maps and Booking.com, tools like Wise, Moreta Pay, Grab, Airalo, 12Go Asia, LINE, and WhatsApp make everyday travel easier. They cover payments, transport, connectivity, and communication, turning stressful trips into seamless experiences across South and Southeast Asia. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Best Summer Vacation a Military Spouse Could Ever Take Posted on September 7, 2025November 12, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Dive into the adventure with “Road Trips and Lots of Bull.” Join a military spouse’s unforgettable summer vacation without kids or husband: road trips with friends in Eastern Europe to Spain’s thrilling running of the bulls alone. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES 5 Simple European Conveniences That Would Improve Life in America Posted on August 31, 2025December 26, 2025 By Stacey A. Peters Living in Europe revealed how true convenience comes from thoughtful design, not endless highways or megastores. High-speed trains, walkable towns, reliable transit, welcoming cafes, and daily markets make life easier for everyone. They build community, conserve resources, and create equality—details I miss deeply in America’s car-driven, consumption-focused model. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES How to Get Around Thailand: My Best Travel Lessons Posted on August 17, 2025December 20, 2025 By Stacey A. Peters Getting around Thailand wasn’t just about transportation—it was part of the adventure. From tuk-tuks and scooters to songthaews and boats, each ride brought humor, tension, and joy. These moments weren’t planned, but they stayed with me. Sometimes, the journey is the memory.ife. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES What You Need to Know: Why Chicago Is the Cultural Center of the Midwest Posted on August 3, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Chicago’s culture is complex and alive. It’s shaped by working families, bold art, rich history, and political action. Unlike the quieter towns nearby, Chicago pulses with creativity, resistance, and pride. It’s not the story the headlines tell. It’s a city defined by its people—not fear, but fierce love. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Side of Africa You Never See in the Media Posted on July 20, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters I look for street food, quiet cafes, hikes with a view, and places that hold meaning. I’ve found them all over the world. Now I want to find them in Nigeria, Togo, and Benin—three countries in Africa tied to my history that I’ve never seen with my own eyes. I’m ready to see the truth about Africa for myself. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Driving to Èze: Unexpected Beauty, Panic, and an Unexpected Lesson Posted on July 17, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters A stalled car. A stranger’s help. A mad uphill dash with my kids in the backseat. That’s how my day in Èze began. What followed was a quiet walk through flower-filled alleys, castle ruins, and a handmade perfume that now holds the memory of one beautiful, chaotic, unforgettable day. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Perception vs. Perspective: Travel Stories That Changed How I See the World Posted on June 26, 2025September 2, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters A stare too long. A whispered word. A moment I almost walked away. But what happened next shifted everything I thought I knew about traveling as a Black woman. This isn’t just a story—it’s a reminder of what happens when we pause, stay, and see the world with new eyes. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Truth About Visiting the Midwest (From Someone Who Lives Here) Posted on May 22, 2025September 29, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Is the Midwest worth visiting? It depends. This post explores the gap between marketing and reality, from gas station cafés to cultural blind spots. Written by someone who lives there—not someone passing through—it’s a candid take on what the Midwest offers, what it doesn’t, and why that matters. Read more