The last week in Croatia was an amazing experience. I was able to re-connect with a young man with who I had made an acquaintance and potential business partnership in London a few years ago by the name of Mario Tuksa. He was passionate and had just started his own travel company and we chatted not only in the scheduled slot for our meeting, but when I had an open slot, he returned and we chatted some more. It was more a conversation about life and passion for what you are and do and also being true to yourself. As with all potential business partnerships, I never promise business, but if the right client at the right time comes around, we will give it a shot and I have done with others. 

Dubrovnik, meetings, wine, oysters and a little Ston
This weekend has come and gone when I arrived into Dubrovnik and the meat of the business portion of this adventure to Croatia. My travels are not done here, but returning to Dubrovnik has been awe inspiring, both in the experience of walking the old town, including the walls which are about 2 ½ kilometers and taking the cable car to the top, but also meeting many locals, both in the restaurants and in the wonderful meetings I had both scheduled and impromptu with suppliers from throughout Croatia. Life as I know it seems to slowly be returning to normal. 

A conversation with a local.
I have been back on the continent now about 4 days and it has truly been amazing. I knew I had to get back and now that I am here, definitely not disappointed.  It was the right decision. The adrenaline rush is still there and the excitement. Seeing the places like Hvar today and now Korcula have made it truly real. Krka National Park was awe inspiring and tomorrow, another adventure, but what has made this return more special are the people and today is no exception. 
I have been with colleagues and enjoyed some walking tours, but once away from the walking tours, and wandering on my own with a friend here and there, found a little wine shop that opened just last year. While I have not been enjoying as much wine  lately, I thought it would be nice to stop in and talk with a local in his shop and his name is Mark, maybe even Marko as this is Korcula and the legend or history of Marko Polo being born on this island. I also know a bit of history of the Zinfandel grape as I have written in the past. It did not originate in Italy (Primitivo), but in Croatia and is known I believe as the Dingac varietal, among other names.
Mark proceeded to tell us about the varietals here in this region of south Dalmatia and specifically Korcula and the connection to America and Gringic, and the Zinfandel grape being transported to California. He shared with us his passion for the wine and I was thrilled to have found this little wine shop where not only did he tell the stories, tasted a little wine as well. We spent about an hour chatting about the wines and life in general and to me, that is the best and most amazing part of travel, meeting the locals and getting to know them which closes the gaps in the differences and extends the similarities. There were even wines that after being aged in oak were put in the water to age some more. 
Of course, we bought a couple of bottles and he even offered us a Grappa complimentary. Thank you Mark for your hospitality and that of Wine Corner Korcula, so the Wandering Puffin recommends highly that you make a stop in here to meet this wonderful small business owner and try and buy some of his local wines. It is worth the stop and a very short walk from the pier.

​A few days ago, my world opened up again and I was off to wander it as I once had, but it is different for sure. It has been 15 long months and the adrenaline was flowing and I could not hold it back. I was on my way, on a plane, going through the security and customs processes and the border checks. What used to be mundane was now new. Covid is not gone and it is still in the realm of the process as you have to have the proof of vaccine or proof of the negative Covid test. I had had both which was necessary as I had to show documents and reason for travel. I am glad I did as I had to do it in Minneapolis, Atlanta and when I arrived into Frankfurt. Of course, the mandatory entry into the country of Croatia where I am now. If I had not had the proper documentation, I could have been turned around. 
Yes, I am here now and so it has been amazing, even though I had been here before. The first time back in 2003 when I thought it was very much a hidden gem and I was not disappointed when I arrived into Split, seeing the town from a new perspective and then on the MS Rhapsody, a brand new ship/boat/yacht, whatever the designation. It has 19 cabins and the people on board are wonderful and real and that is truly something I missed. We have been to Trogir and Sibernik and the highlight was going to Krka National Park and its amazing waterfalls. Some things new and some things old, but truly everything new and a whole new perspective. I was truly a kid in a candy store. I was in my happy place. 
I still can’t believe I am here as I sit here on the “balcony” of my cabin and count my lucky stars to be able to be traveling again and yes, it may not have happened. I look forward to continuing to share my experiences via Facebook and other social media and working on GoPro videos for everyone to be shared. Travel is the true educator and when you can’t do it, a major part of life is eliminated and for me, as an educator, truly was missed like a long lost friend. It has been a welcome return to see friends and colleagues again in person, not just zoom meetings and yes, the mask is required on the flights and in certain indoor venues which is fine with me. I look forward to meeting new friends along this journey back in Europe which just started when I arrived on the continent on the 4th of June, 15 months to the day when I left Frankfurt, March 4, 2020. 
All I can say is that the Wandering Puffin has spread his wings again and excited to share the world with you. As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!

Every year when a holiday like Memorial Day comes around, I post a reflection of its meaning and while I have never served, I know many who have and appreciate their service and sacrifice. 
Even though summer is still a few weeks away, Memorial Day is known as the unofficial start of summer in the United States. That is exciting given the past 15 months we have had here and around the world. Covid has taken its toll on many and while we remember the true meaning of Memorial Day and those who have fallen serving our country to keep our country free, we need to remember the sacrifices of all the frontline workers trying to save others, many who have lost their lives during this pandemic that has taken the lives of thousands of people here and around the world.
We need to remember the doctors, nurses, paramedics, police and firefighters that have died in the line of service during this crisis. We should remember other frontline workers who were there for us when we needed them and lost their lives due the effects of Covid. Many have served others to make sure we were able to survive. This is something with all the chaos in the world we should keep in mind. Memorial Day is to remember those who have served and sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, so when you are enjoying your barbeque and grilling outdoors on this Memorial Day, please remember the freedoms we have and how lucky we are given the sacrifices made by many others. Without their sacrifices, we may not have the freedoms we have. 
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!
As an aside, my next blog will be sent from Croatia next Monday!!!

Last week, I wrote about packing and unpacking and that is still an ongoing thing. Maybe 85% packed for my future move and for the trip. In both cases, it is like a new experience, both necessary and at the same time exciting. With the travel time approaching, so the anticipation builds, but perhaps a bit of anxiety as well. 
Anticipation is defined as a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action, or perhaps, more appropriately, in my case, the act of looking forward especially…. I am definitely looking forward as my departure from my current residence is in a little over a week and my departure for Europe is in less than 2 weeks. 
In normal times or BC (Before Covid), I would be on track and perhaps already fully prepared, so the anxiety, which is always present may not be as prominent. It is tempering the anticipation, which I suppose is normal. When in the past I have traveled, I felt like I was on autopilot. I knew the ropes being on the road for many months in any given year. I knew what I was doing. Now however, I feel like I have to re-learn some of the old skills and again and prepare for the new. Don’t get me wrong. I am truly excited for this new chapter of my life and sharing it with the world. I feel good that I have to go back to square one in a way. I know what my clients will feel when they first travel again, some familiarity, new unknowns. In the end there will be a balance between anticipation and anxiety, but everything will work itself out. This I know!!! What do you think? 
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!

Mother’s Day was yesterday, and Father’s Day is in June and while I am neither to kids of my own, I have been an integral part of many kid’s lives over the past 35 years or so as an educator. First, as an ESL volunteer, para-professional and classroom teacher in New York City back in the mid to late 80’s, as a special education teacher here in Minnesota in the early to mid - 90’s and since 2006, working in childcare in one of the local school districts, where one of my first students is now my multi – media specialist and much more as we work through this pandemic. As an aside, I also helped raise my ex’s two kids and was there to support them from early childhood into adulthood. 
I am not looking for accolades or any honorable mention, but simply reflecting on the fact, especially during this Covid crisis, how important mothers and mother figures have been in helping to navigate and facilitate these volatile waters in the schools in which I work and continue to do so. I very much respect all who have been there throughout, mothers and mother figures who continue to nuture and help us all get through this crisis, including many of my colleagues. We will all have to deal with this for some time to come and knowing there are those out there willing to help, giving us hope that we will make it through, with their tireless effort, no amount of thanks is enough, so here’s a shout out to all those who have been there for us. Thank you. You are truly appreciated!!!
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Your support of this small business is truly appreciated!!!

I have been reading articles in the last week or so, on the travel current state of affairs and frankly, it annoys me that, while under the guise of protecting the population, the US State Department makes most of the world, a travel alert of the highest caliber and realistically, they don’t give “real” reasons why and yes, there are exceptions. So why are a majority at a level 4 threat and others at level 3. They claim they have changed to reflect the CDC, but the CDC says that those who are fully vaccinated are safe to travel. So, if we travel overseas as a fully vaccinated traveler, to a country that is currently allowing Americans in, still, when returning home, must have a Covid test with a negative result. 
In my opinion, there are countries that need to be avoided due to the potential for terrorism and where Covid is out of control like India or Brazil. Even in The Netherlands, when I read the threat level was raised to 4, it noted the potential for violence due to demonstrations, but also Covid. In these cases, it makes sense to raise the threat level, but to raise the level to the highest level or second highest level for most of the world, having a broad brushstroke is irresponsible. All of this is very confusing to the traveling public and therefore more challenging to the professional travel advisor to sort through all the details, albeit worthwhile to assure, that the client makes the best decision for themselves, based on accurate and more importantly detailed information, not just a blanket statement. 
More and more countries are opening with certain restrictions, be it a negative Covid test, being fully vaccinated or having recovered from Covid. Even the European Union as a bloc is in the process of opening by summer with any luck and cooperation. Yet, our own government is telling us not to travel overseas to almost anywhere with their travel alerts. These actions will add more issue to an industry that has been devastated by the pandemic, through no fault of our own, with little government assistance over the past year plus. By the way, thank you to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) of which I am a member for their commentary on these government actions and continuing to promote what the travel advisor does and the value by helping sift through this crisis and making sure that their valued clients are taken care of. 
I want to promote travel and I want to travel again and believe we can do it safely. We need to move forward and not stagnate. Travel is a major part of the US economy and the longer these rules are in place, the longer it is going to take to recover. Lives and livelihoods have been catastrophically affected. I want everyone to be safe, but I also want Americans to be able to make up their own minds and not be controlled by the action of the government, so please give complete and accurate information, not just a headline. 
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Your support of this small business is truly appreciated!!!

One year today, I started on a very personal journey, inspired by a special lady in my life. It was the 25th of April, when Italy moved from essentially a total lockdown to phase 2 as their world started to open. She told me she was going out for a 30-minute walk, so being competitive, I said I would do 35 minutes. Well, I did not. I think I was lucky to do 20 minutes, but it was a start.  I was exhausted and out of breath, but it was a start of the journey. I shared my experience with her. She said if I do it for 21 days, I would own it, as I will internalize it. Well, I did and the rest, as they say, is history. 
I had an initial goal of losing 100 pounds, essentially 50 kilos and got there by Christmas day, 8 months to the day, ending up just under 225 pounds. Yes, I was that heavy when I started, maybe even more than that. Of course, I was proud of this accomplishment, but I was not done. As winter truly set in, I decided to try for another 25 pounds, essentially 10 kilos, which I knew would be a slower process, but I was determined to make this new goal, also inspired by that special lady, to get down to 90 kilos, or just under 200 pounds. 
I was never on a diet during this whole process, only ate healthier choices, cut out most junk food and soda and walked every day, on average 3 to 5 miles to start (6 to 10 kilometers) and cooked most of my own meals, being a former chef, so it turned me back on to experimenting with different food combinations from the fridge, cabinets and spending time finding fresh fruits and veggies and the local farmer’s market each weekend. I wanted to try to do this by a year to the date I met her, but that deadline passed, so I decided that one year to the day, would be the deadline when I started this journey. Well, I am happy to say that this morning I reached that goal, both by pounds and kilos. 
I share this story to let people know, and perhaps, inspiration, that if something is important enough and have the desire to make it happen, you can accomplish anything. This blog entry was totally of a personal nature and I give my sincere Grazie Mille to you Rosa!!! 
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Your support of this small business is truly appreciated!!!