Coming from the middle of nowhere Missouri USA you would not think I would have ended up where I am today. Growing up, I traveled across state borders for sport competitions and across the Mexican border once as a preteen with my parents, so a lot of minor traveling and definitely more than most other kids my age. However, I wouldn’t say I was “bit by the travel bug” until I went on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica with the college I was attending. This trip opened my eyes, it was two weeks of exploring a whole new culture! We went to farms, markets, museums, historical sites. We got to zip line, white water raft, and ride horseback through the rain forest! And the food! Oh My God the food was incredible! When we got home I was plagued with this constant feeling of restlessness, that I was somehow missing out on anything and everything. Little did I know Costa Rica was only the beginning for me.
After that trip I somehow managed to make my way out of the country once a year for the next three years. Experiencing the new cultures, exploring new places, and devouring all kinds of local cuisine. I went to Africa, Central America, and Europe, and let me tell you I didn’t want to stop there, but sometimes that isn’t always your choice. In the process of all of these journeys I decided that the true thing I wanted to do was travel for the rest of my life, and this led me to my career choice of teaching English abroad. However, I had a job and was working on completing a very different degree, so that doesn’t leave a lot of time for travel.
Once again the feelings of listlessness and the sense that I was constantly missing out on life kept cropping up. So, I started saving money, making plans and I took my first solo trip to the UK, and that is when I fell in love… literally and figuratively that is. I made my own itinerary, got to create an experience that was completely my own and in the process met my future husband.When I returned home I was invigorated! I laid out a plan for my future, researched TEFL programs, and cultivated a long distance relationship. Then the pandemic hit, while I was in Australia, visiting the future husband. Somewhat causing me to be “stuck” for 3 months with my future intended. We quarantined, cooked, tried out new recipes and made my love of cuisine grow even more. My plans were changed and changed and then changed some more. I didn’t let these changes deter me, since that initial solo trip to the UK over a year ago I have gotten married, chosen a TEFL course and began my expat journey and now I want to share it with you!
Tasteful Travels 