humanity
If nothing else, travel opens your eyes to the colorful quilt that is humankind.
Vacations Seem Impossible
It's been a year and I haven't had my own car. I know lots of people don't have a car and that should be no big deal, but I'm just not the same without my own car. I accepted that I couldn't afford it anymore. I'm old, on a fixed income, and I just don't have the spending money like I did way back when. Plus, I've never known anything about fixing cars, and they all break down at some point. It was driving me insane - literally. I would get so depressed. Though I am happier that I'm not spending a fortune on a car, I haven't gone anywhere in a year. Nowhere. The most exciting trip I've been on in a year is to the local Walmart. That's pretty pathetic to me, especially when I know that I suffer from Wanderlust. Oh yeah, I got bit by the Wanderlust bug big time back in 2018. I've always loved traveling, but when I got into Road Tripping, I fell in love with travel even more.
By Shanon Angermeyer Norman4 months ago in Wander
Any Tampa Bay Area Parties for Halloween?
Oh oh! Only 13 more days until Halloween. I hear spooky music. The door just closed on its own. Etcetera. It's October and spook lovers are vibing to the monster mash and looking for festivities. Moms and Pops with the little ones are either throwing home parties or have already found a family-friendly place to gather and collect treats. Churches usually have a pumpkin patch or a trunk-or-treat thing going on. But I'm sure there's also a bunch of Tampons like me wondering what to do for Halloween. Should we go out there? Can we hide behind a costume and mask and have some fun for once in our boring old lives? Can we get some candy and relive just a bit of those fabulous glory days while we can still carry a plastic pumpkin? I think so. I hope so. I've got my costume ready just in case.
By Shanon Angermeyer Norman4 months ago in Wander
Genova: Italy’s Hidden Gem of History, Culture, and the Sea. AI-Generated.
A City Shaped by the Sea Nestled on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy, Genova (known in English as Genoa) is a city where the past meets the present. Its narrow alleys, ancient port, and vibrant street life tell stories of explorers, merchants, and artists who shaped not only Italy but the world.
By Fiaz Ahmed 5 months ago in Wander
Why We Struggle to Be Alone With Ourselves
Most people aren’t truly afraid of silence. They’re afraid of what it reveals. When the world finally quiets — when the phone is facedown, the notifications stop, and there’s no one left to distract you — something inside begins to surface. The part of you that’s been waiting to be seen. The truth beneath all the noise.
By Benevolentia5 months ago in Wander
Solo traveller
She was an explorer. Of the world within and without. She was the microcosm connected to the macrocosm at all times. And her inner world was even more mysterious than the wonders of this planet. She stood between two worlds, and every experience out there changed her inner landscape. She loved the adventure, and the adventure loved her back.
By Eva Smitte5 months ago in Wander
Backcountry Backpacking the Lakeshore Trail in the Smoky Mountains: A True Test of Grit
I just returned from a 3-day backpacking backcountry trip in the Smoky Mountains. For those who love the Smokies, the call of the wilderness is irresistible. Winding footpaths, hidden campsites, and the promise of solitude pull hikers deep into one of the most beloved national parks in the country. Among the network of more than 900 miles of official trails, a handful stand out as true tests of endurance and patience. The Lakeshore Trail is one of them.
By Tim Carmichael5 months ago in Wander
The Spiritual Cost of Always Being Online
We live in a world that never powers down. The glow of screens follows us into every room, every hour, every moment. It promises connection, distraction, and belonging, but somewhere deep inside, you feel what it’s really taking.
By Benevolentia5 months ago in Wander
The Dos and Don'ts of Travelling In A Group
This is not (just) a call-out to deeply inconsiderate people who I am currently on tour with, but a general guide to travelling as part of a group, especially when that group doesn't just consist of family who are obligated to not attempt to murder you until you get home and can be sent to opposite sides of the house.
By Natasja Rose5 months ago in Wander
When “Self-Improvement” Becomes Just Another Distraction
We live in a world that never stops telling us we aren’t enough. There’s always another book, another podcast, another morning routine promising to finally transform us into the “best version” of ourselves. It feels like progress — like we’re moving forward — but too often it’s just movement without direction.
By Benevolentia5 months ago in Wander
