Wandering Reflections

The clatter of cutlery in a bustling restaurant used to sound like a symphony of judgment to my solo-traveler ears. Every shared laugh from a nearby table, every perceived glance in my direction, seemed to confirm my deepest fear: "Oh, look at that person eating all by themselves." That wave of intense self-consciousness was an unwelcome, yet familiar, companion to many of my early solo meals. The thought that people were watching, perhaps even pitying me, was almost enough to make me retreat to...

"Thinking about traveling alone for the first time can bring up a lot of feelings. For me, it was a mix of excitement and a whole lot of nerves. I’d always traveled with someone – family, partners, even my dogs. Going solo was a brand new, slightly scary idea. But that first solo trip? It changed everything, and even with the jitters, I wouldn’t trade it."

"Life had thrown me some curveballs, and it was a pretty tough time. I’d recently discovered yoga, and it wasn’t just exercise; it was a lif...

Harbin’s Ice Festival is a breathtaking spectacle that has dazzled visitors for decades. My first experience with this winter wonderland was back in 2010, when the festival was much smaller in scale. Fast forward to 2025, and the event has grown tremendously—especially since Harbin also hosted the Asian Winter Olympics this year. Many of the ice sculptures paid tribute to famous landmarks across Asia, adding an even grander international flair to the festival.

A City with Russian Roots

Not man...

The first time I witnessed a Chinese Spring Festival celebration, I was living in Toronto. It was a vibrant, sensory explosion—streets adorned with red lanterns, the air filled with laughter and the sizzle of street food, and the rhythmic beats of drums accompanying the mesmerizing dragon and lion dances. Firecrackers popped intermittently, adding to the festive chaos. It was magical, and I remember thinking, “If this is how it’s celebrated abroad, imagine what it must be like in China!”

A coup...

As a teacher and mentor, I'm always amazed by how small changes can make a big difference. Today, let's talk about something super simple that can have a huge impact on how you feel: drinking ice water.

When I travel, I've noticed something interesting. In the US, we love ice water. Restaurants automatically bring it to the table. But in many other countries, it's not so common. This made me think about what I already knew from studying ancient healing practices, like Traditional Chinese Medici...