When I had set out on my first international adventure, I had no idea my world was about to be turned upside down. This trip would ignite a passion that would soon consume me and change my life forever.
Growing up, I was no stranger to the gypsy life. Moving around much as a child, I was determined to plant roots and stay in one place. Once out of school - I landed a good job in finance, got married, bought a house and settled nicely into the "American Dream." At a young age, I had checked the boxes and accomplished everything I was told would make me successful in this life. So this was it, I would live out the rest of my days on this lather, rinse, repeat cycle. But the year to follow was devastating. It was packed with hardships, loss and death. Then the light came on for me, I had been given this beautiful gift of life and here I was wasting it on someone else's idea of happiness.
So, I packed my bags and headed to Mexico. It was the best decision I've ever made. Completely submerged in a culture, vastly different from my own. I knew only a few Spanish phrases and attempted to navigate around a strange, new land. I was hooked instantly.
Now here I am, 24 countries later and still just as smitten with our world. Travel for me is absolutely essential. I crave that sense of childlike wonder for new places that are completely outside my comfort zone. Connecting with those around the world, seeing what others value, and how closely they resemble that of my own heart. I've learned that so many are wrong about other countries; but if we dare to step outside our borders, how quickly we learn that love, emotions, fears, and dreams know no boundaries, language barriers or borders. For me, this is what traveling is all about. I am @__jetsetgypsy and I am not just a traveler, I am a global citizen. I now live with my heart being pulled to all parts of the world, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Growing up, I was no stranger to the gypsy life. Moving around much as a child, I was determined to plant roots and stay in one place. Once out of school - I landed a good job in finance, got married, bought a house and settled nicely into the "American Dream." At a young age, I had checked the boxes and accomplished everything I was told would make me successful in this life. So this was it, I would live out the rest of my days on this lather, rinse, repeat cycle. But the year to follow was devastating. It was packed with hardships, loss and death. Then the light came on for me, I had been given this beautiful gift of life and here I was wasting it on someone else's idea of happiness.
So, I packed my bags and headed to Mexico. It was the best decision I've ever made. Completely submerged in a culture, vastly different from my own. I knew only a few Spanish phrases and attempted to navigate around a strange, new land. I was hooked instantly.
Now here I am, 24 countries later and still just as smitten with our world. Travel for me is absolutely essential. I crave that sense of childlike wonder for new places that are completely outside my comfort zone. Connecting with those around the world, seeing what others value, and how closely they resemble that of my own heart. I've learned that so many are wrong about other countries; but if we dare to step outside our borders, how quickly we learn that love, emotions, fears, and dreams know no boundaries, language barriers or borders. For me, this is what traveling is all about. I am @__jetsetgypsy and I am not just a traveler, I am a global citizen. I now live with my heart being pulled to all parts of the world, and I wouldn't want it any other way.